The Bible May be True, But Is It Sufficient?

In this regular feature Dave and Tom respond to questions and listeners and readers of The Berean Call.  Here is this week’s question: Dear Dave and T. A.:I recently had a discussion with a friend of mine who truly loves the Lord and he was definitely instrumental in my own acceptance of the gospel.But he said something that has shaken me and I am not sure if I can convince him otherwise.He’s a very smart guy.He said that he believes in the inerrancy and authority of the Bible, but he does not believe in its sufficiency.He says God’s truth is revealed even among non-believers.How can I answer him?

Tom:

Dave, this is not uncommon among what we are seeing today, among believers.There’s something else out there that we can use to either affect our spirituality or our walk with the Lord, or solve our problems in our homes.

Dave:

Well Tom, it’s quite simple in the scriptures.You said in our last segment, it’s simple. He didn’t have a heart to seek the Lord and that really is foundational.This is quite simple.If we want to know about all truth is God’s truth which is—he didn’t express it in that way, but that is what he’s talking about.That can be taken care of very simply.We go to John 14 which we will eventually get to one of these days if the Lord tarries.

Tom:

You are referring to our segment coming up.

Dave:

That’s right.John:14:17Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you.
See All... I think it is, Jesus says, “Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you.”Then go to John:16:13Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come.
See All..., “Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth….”Now you could go to John 18 where Pilate asks Jesus, “What is your purpose of coming?”Jesus said I came to bear witness to THE truth.He says, “Thy word is truth.”He said, “I am THE truth.”You can’t add something onto this and Jesus said to Pilate, “Everyone who is of THE truth hears my voice.”Now you’ve got something very special.Jesus says in John 8, “If you continue in my word you will know THE truth. THE truth will set you free.” Now Jesus is saying truth is found in God’s Word.It testifies of me, I am THE truth.Jesus said truth is only known to those who are indwelt by and inspired of the Holy Spirit.The Holy Spirit, he will lead you into ALL truth, but the world cannot receive him.Now Tom, when I put those verses together, there is no way that I can come up with truth.The truth, God’s truth, it sets free from any other source except the Word of God.Now the problem is, people confuse facts with THE truth.

Tom:

Right, the Bible is not a book on how to do plumbing, how to change the oil in your automobile.It’s not a—

Dave:

Well, mathematical truth.

Tom:

Right.

Dave:

Scientific facts, 10 x 10 = 100.That is a true statement, but that is not THE truth.

Tom:

And dealing with all things, as the scripture says, all things that pertain to life and godliness.Where are you going to go for that?

Dave:

He has given that to us, 2 Peter 1.But now, let’s go to 2 Timothy:3:16-17 [16] All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: [17] That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.
See All....It is quite clear there, Paul says, “All scripture is given by inspiration of God and is profitable (or to be used for) for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness…” By the way Tom, we’ve mentioned this in the past: I would say many preachers, popular evangelists, certainly well known, open the Bible, and claim to teach out of it.They never use it for doctrine, reproof, correction.This is what the Bible says it’s to be used for, okay?Instruction in righteousness—it goes on, “That the man—(that includes woman, boy, girl) the man of God may be perfect, (That doesn’t mean without a flaw.That means what you were talking about earlier—a perfect heart that has a desire to serve God) that the man of God may be complete, fulfilled thoroughly furnished unto all good works.” Now if the Bible makes me perfect, mature, what God wants me to be, and it thoroughly furnishes me, prepares me and equips me for every good work, then I would say that’s sufficient and nothing else is needed out there, and certainly the truth of God is the Word of God, by the Spirit of God.

Tom:

Dave, the one area is which we are seeing more of this claim that the Bible is insufficient is Christian psychology—

Dave:

Right.

Tom:

Because they are eclectic.They use some of Freud, some of Jung, some of Maslow, Rogerian approach, whatever it might be.Directive, non-directive—when you begin to mix those things, then you have to come back to something that says wait a minute, the Bible is insufficient, we have to turn to these so called wonderful, moral individuals like Freud and Jung and etc.

Dave:

Tom are you going to allow me quote a few lines of a poem I’ve probably quoted before, but I thing it’s apropos:“Who would leave the noon day bright to grope mid shadows dim, And who would leave the fountainhead to drink the muddy stream, where men have mixed what God has said with every dreamer’s dream.”I’m going to stick to the pure Word of God.

Tom:

Dave, here’s one answer to who would turn to those streams: someone with a PhD in psychology.

Dave:

And unfortunately those who admire them and follow them.