The Bible is Clear
The story goes: there are six blind men touching an elephant, trying to determine what it is they feel. One man wraps his arms around the elephant’s leg and thinks it’s a pillar. Another pulls his ear and thinks it’s a fan. Another grabs his tail and thinks it’s a rope. On and on, each man holds a portion of the elephant without ever knowing what it is they really feel. The point is to illustrate how we are all blind men when it comes to God. It is an argument against the claim of any religion to have exclusive revelation from God. Christians may know a part of him, but we don’t really know all of God. Muslims, Hindus, etc. are all merely different perspectives of the same God. No one is more right than anyone else, despite how vociferous our claims.
1. How would you respond to the above?
2. On a scale of 1 – 10, how clear is the Bible’s position on the following questions?
Does God exist?
Is Hell a real place?
Can I be a Christian and have a same-sex partner?
Is it wrong to watch Game of Thrones?
Should the Church be made to pay tax?
3. To what extent can we expect to find clear answers in the Bible?
Read Romans 10:9-13
9 …if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved. 11 For the Scripture says, “Everyone who believes in him will not be put to shame.” 12 For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek; for the same Lord is Lord of all, bestowing his riches on all who call on him. 13 For “everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”
4. Was becoming a Christian difficult for you?
5. What contexts can you think of in which this passage will be a good reminder for us?
6. Verses 10-13 each begin with “for.” How do they each contribute to the claim in v.9?
7. The Jews emphasize tradition and the Greeks value reason. What does verse 12 tell us is the key to gaining God?
8. How can this passage be helpful for us to remember when we encounter issues where the Bible doesn’t give clear answers?
9. Based on this passage, would you say becoming a Christian is easy? But why is evangelism so daunting?
Read Psalm 119:41
Let your steadfast love come to me, O Lord,
your salvation according to your promise;
42 then shall I have an answer for him who taunts me,
for I trust in your word.
43 And take not the word of truth utterly out of my mouth,
for my hope is in your rules.
44 I will keep your law continually,
forever and ever,
45 and I shall walk in a wide place,
for I have sought your precepts.
46 I will also speak of your testimonies before kings
and shall not be put to shame,
47 for I find my delight in your commandments,
which I love.
48 I will lift up my hands toward your commandments, which I love,
and I will meditate on your statutes.
10. What is one truth from this part of Psalm 119 you will think about for the rest of the day?