Should we stop saying, “The Bible says so …?”

Pastor J.D. shares why Christianity that is not built on “it is written” is insufficient for both personal faith and sparking a worldwide resurgence of the Christian movement.

A glimpse inside this episode:

Todd: Pastor J.D., some are saying today (Andy Stanley, for example) that because our culture no longer accepts the authority of the Bible, we should refrain from saying, “the Bible says” in our preaching. What do you think about this?

Response:

• True, as a starting point. But if it doesn’t quickly translate into “thus says the Lord,” it’s not a sufficient basis for faith
  • A Christianity that is not built on “it is written” is insufficient for personal faith, much less sparking a worldwide resurgence of the Christian movement.
• There is an advantage to thinking about this the way our overseas missionaries think and share with different cultures where the Bible doesn’t have authority.
• For instance, you might say, ‘John says,” or “Paul says…”
• Apostles: “It is written.” The early church had written text, so the argument that they didn’t have Scripture isn’t accurate.
  • 2 Peter 3:16
  • Paul, if you are spiritual, acknowledge these commands
• Matthew 7:24–27 shows us what love looks like; gives us confidence in the face of Satan
• Paul/Ephesians: built on the foundation of Apostles and their writings!
• Jesus with Satan! (Luke 4)
  • Again: A Christianity that is not built on “it is written” is insufficient for personal faith, much less sparking a worldwide resurgence of the Christian movement.
• 2 Timothy 3:16
• Billy Graham’s most used phrase, “The Bible says…”