My Take: Christians mature by studying the Bible together
Chris Highland writes frequently in The Sentinel. Some time ago his topic was, “BSF: Smuggling Bibles and trafficking in theology.”
His negative viewpoint is disappointing. Thousands of men and women and children in Holland and millions around the world have matured in their Christian faith through the studies provided by BSF.
The words he chose for his title are current. Loaded with meaning, and harsh. We hear a lot about “smuggling” pentenyl and illegals. “Trafficking” women and children for prostitution and porn is an alarming industry. His choice of these words points to the direction of his evaluation.
Highland’s mention of Bible “smuggling” appears to be negative, but he does not discuss it. Jesus Himself said that “forgiveness of sins in His Name will be preached in all nations.” (Luke 24:47) When early Christians were arrested and commanded not to teach in His Name (Acts 5:28), their reply was, “We must obey God rather than human beings.”
Their vocal testimony must involve the written testimony. Faithful, and heroic Christians have taken the spoken and written words of the Bible around the world, openly where possible, undercover where necessary. At least one was banished to lonely isolation on an island. (Revelation 1:9) Christians around the world, living under hostile governments, meet secretly to share their faith. Such obedience hardly deserves censure.
“Trafficking” is not a pleasant word. Highland does not give us his working definition. The dictionary describes it as “The act of conducting trade or business, especially of an illicit kind.” It lists “trafficking and … prostitution … for sex experience … in arms … in controlled substances … of human beings.”
Does BSF “traffic” because it is a “major ministry” serving in “more than 120 countries” with “assets” and a “budget.” Do those facts make BSF suspect? The local Congregation on the corner has “assets” and operates with a “budget.” If it is faithful to Jesus’ vision, it is most likely supporting outreach activities in other countries. National and worldwide outreach requires staff and materials and incurs expense.
Or perhaps “trafficking” was used because of Highland’s discomfort with BSF “treating ancient scriptures as an evangelistic ministry” with a “clear motive to convert.” And what would Highland say about the Bible being “written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Messiah … and you may have life in his name.” (John 20:31) When his followers obeyed Jesus with a “clear motive to convert” misbelievers, they “reasoned with them from the Scriptures.” (Acts 17:2)
He asks the question, “Did Jesus teach his students to ‘study the Bible’?” As a Jewish child, Jesus most likely memorized the first five Books of the Bible. His immediate Biblical response to temptations and to questions indicated His familiarity with it. During a theological debate, He said, “You are in error because you do not know the Scriptures.” (Matthew 22:29) He commissioned His Followers to teach to the whole world about what He had taught them. (Matthew 28:19) Is it a real question to ask if Jesus taught his followers to “study the Bible?”
And because the newer part of the Bible hadn’t yet been written down, Highland asks which Bible the early Followers would study? The same one Jesus did. He talked to his doubters about the Old Testament, “These are the very Scriptures that testify about me.” (John 5:39) On the evening of his resurrection, Jesus walked along with two of his followers who didn’t understand what had happened. “And beginning with Moses and all the prophets, he explained to them what was said in all the Scriptures concerning himself.” (Luke 24:27) Every page of the Old Testament is watermarked with the image of Jesus. Later, the New Testament makes Him crystal clear.
Highland represents BSF’s message as, “The world is lost in sin, separated from God, so we are the ones chosen to save the lost by giving them Bibles and telling them what it says and means.” This for him is “sectarian” and “narrow.” Really! The Bible is the source of each of these. “Lost.” (Luke 19:10); “Separate.” (Ephesians 2:12); “Chosen to save,” (I Peter 2:9)
And this same savior still welcomes everyone with arms open worldwide, “Come to Me, all you who are struggling hard and carrying heavy loads, and I will give you rest.” (Matthew 11:28)
— Ren Broekhuizen is a resident of Holland.
This article originally appeared on The Holland Sentinel: My Take: Christians mature by studying the Bible together
