“If you believe what you like in the Gospels, and reject what you don’t like, it is not the Gospel you believe, but yourself.” –Augustine

Every generation faces challenges regarding the veracity of the Bible: Is it really the Word of God and does it speak truthfully in every area that God intended? Apologists from the early Church (like Augustine) to the present have argued well against every type of attack against the reliability of the Bible.

Some of the attacks have come from non-believing skeptics who seek to show that the Bible is just a human document written by pious people to explain the world as they saw it. Other attacks have come from people within the church. They see the Bible as expressing the faith norm of a primitive people, but that it must now be interpreted in light of the clearer light of our scientific times.

In contrast to these notions, historic Christianity asserts that the Bible is its own defender and interpreter. It acknowledges that the self-attesting Christ declared that the Scriptures came from God by the power of the Holy Spirit, and it is necessary to believe this Word and declare it with clarity and zeal. This historic position also asserts that this Word changes our lives; is our meat and drink; is our light and lamp; is sharper than any cutting instrument and more incisive than any thought.

This Word gives us a clear and distinct message of salvation to declare to sinners, provides the nourishment for spiritual growth for believers, and grounds us with a certain hope in the midst of despair in this world.

We do not teach novelties; we do not look for something new as if some aspect of truth was overlooked and now needs to be brought to light. Luther said, “We teach no new thing, but we repeat and establish old things, which the apostles and all godly teachers have taught before us.”

We believe that spiritual change is possible only when the Word is proclaimed and believed. The Bible is foundational to the church’s ministry and the lives of believers. It is on this sure Word that we must stand.
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Dominic Aquila is president of New Geneva Seminary in Colorado Springs, Colo., and editor of The Aquila Report.