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2 Timothy 3:14-17  “But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them; {15} And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. {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, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.”

This well-known text addresses a critical problem today, the authority of God's word. We easily identify the rejection of Biblical authority by the world and the godless. They reject it completely. They scoff at the truth of the Bible's divine inspiration and rule over them. In contrast, the Church of Jesus Christ and professing Christians proudly and loudly proclaim the authority of the Bible in their lives.

The rejection of Biblical authority has invaded the Church of Jesus Christ today, too. This denial has developed into a false doctrine about the Scriptures. This condition has not happened suddenly, but has developed very subtly over a long period of time. In fact, most believers fail to recognize its existence. However, many clues confirm this sinful condition.

Clues

First, the Church practices a postmodern attitude toward Biblical truth. In its desire to include everyone, the Church promotes a Bible study format that encourages every one to participate by sharing their thoughts on a passage of Scripture. Seldom does the leader correct any false viewpoints presented for fear of antagonizing or hurting the one(s) who gave it. In addition, few leaders themselves know the distinctions between truth and error.

Thus, no true, objective standard of Biblical truth exists. Everyone’s viewpoint on Scripture carries the same value. “After all,” we say, “it’s a matter of interpretation,” with no correct or true interpretation provided.

It boils down to this: truth does not matter. What matters is what the Scriptures seem to say to me, without consideration for the truth. How I feel about a given passage from the Bible determines its meaning. A text, then, could conceivably carry a whole variety of meanings, depending upon the person.

By default, then, the Church tolerates error. By its actions, the Church says that the Bible contains the word of God, truth, instead of it being the word of God, the truth that mankind can know and understand. It individualizes truth. It depends only upon what is “truth” to the individual or group opinion.

Second, the Church of Jesus Christ rejects the necessity of the divine inspiration of the Scriptures and its truths. Several present day attacks undermine this essential doctrine of God's word.

The postmodern approach to Biblical truth fails to believe in the concept of absolute truth. Since everything depends upon one’s interpretation, then no absolute truth exists. This practice questions fundamental truth, misrepresents it, and distorts it.

The Church waffles on the authority of the Bible under attack from science, history, and various other branches of human thought. We yield authority and validity to them and assign error to the Biblical passage under scrutiny. We add to our sin by discounting, even doubting the supernatural elements recorded there. This path leads ultimately to a denial of God's intervention into life.

By default the Church, then, doubts the infallibility and inerrancy of Scripture. It has passed from divine revelation to merely an ordinary book of fine but obsolete literature. It has become a book among books of human origin, but certainly not divine, because it contains errors. In effect, the Church rejects the verbal, plenary inspiration of Scripture by God through the Holy Spirit.

Further, the Church of Jesus Christ presents the Bible as a handbook to guide humankind in its search for God, instead of providing God's self-revelation of Himself. Therefore, we make God in our own image, turn the truth of God into a lie, and defy God Who has revealed Himself in His word. This concept denies God's intervention into human life and ultimately questions whether anyone can ever know that God exists or if anyone can know Him if He does exist.

Third, the Church consents to selective obedience to Biblical teaching and commands. Since ultimately truth depends upon how I interpret it, and since evidence proves it contains errors, then selective obedience and a concurrent rejection of submission to all of Scripture occurs. The Christian then disobeys its commands and ignores its application in life.

Fourth, the Church of Jesus Christ substitutes reason, education, and knowledge for spiritual revelation, illumination, and insight. The infallibility of human reason now dictates the meaning of the Bible. Human reason stands as the final authority, not the Bible. Truth, and right and wrong, now bow to the standard of human reason. Humanity, the new deity, determines truth.

The search for truth now follows a different path. We now seek for life’s answers by conforming to the world’s methods. We seek for it by reasoning, by understanding, and by speculation. By emphasizing our knowledge, we subject the Bible to critical analysis from science, history, and opinion. Psychology, science, and philosophy now interpret the Bible in hopes of finding solutions to life’s circumstances.

Sadly, such an approach rejects the Holy Spirit as revealer of truth of God's word.

Fifth, the Church of Jesus Christ fails to teach Biblical doctrine. In its feeble attempt to correct disagreement and disorder, the Church elevates unity over truth. Such ill-fated attempts compromise truth and open the door to error, even heresy. Further, ministers, feeling pressure from strife and feuding factions, flee doctrinal preaching in favor of “How To” messages to satisfy their audiences. They concentrate instead upon felt needs.

Sixth, and finally, believers today most obviously lack the fruit of the word in practical life. A variety of different examples prove the point. For instance, believers today neglect serious meditation upon the Bible and the direct application of its truths. It shows in the lack of self-examination under Biblical precepts and a failure to study God's word. Without it, conviction of sin is absent, and application of truth breaks down.

Another case in point emerges because believers disobey the Bible's commands. Obedience goes wanting in the wake of neglected study and application. This sin affects individuals and the Church collectively. At the least, it reveals an uncertainty of the Bible's sufficiency for life and godliness.

An emphasis upon religious activity has replaced simple obedience to the Scriptures. Further, the Church of Jesus Christ fails to walk in the Spirit, but lives according to the flesh.

Numerous evidences prove the failure to walk in the Spirit. Sadly, the works of the flesh that are stated in Galatians 5.19-21 and Colossians 3.5 permeate the Church today. Sexual immorality, false worship of God, and strife too often raise their evil heads not only in the congregation but also in the leadership, even the pastorate. Holy living has fallen upon hard times. Rarely is it mentioned; it is virtually extinct in the Church of Jesus Christ today.

Holy Spirit filled believers have become an abnormality. Instead, fear of the very mention of the Spirit and outright rejection of His ministry rule the day. Surely, our sins have grieved and quenched His mighty presence and work in our midst.

Although presented in summary arrangement, the foregoing examples indeed demonstrate that the Church of Jesus Christ rejects Biblical authority. It began very subtly but has escalated into a significant problem. The failure to recognize it serves to intensify its magnitude. It now permeates and affects virtually every aspect of the Church.

Consequences

The rejection of Biblical authority yields significant consequences, which stain the Church of Jesus Christ and believers today. First, believers suffer individually and collectively as the Church. They lack spiritual power. Spiritual maturity in the Church goes wanting. Faith in God declines. Discontent and uncertainty trouble believers.

The Church lacks direction and looks to the world for help. The rejection of Biblical authority causes Christians to question, misrepresent, and finally to distort fundamental truth. The inevitable result, sin, comes because the child of God fails to believe the Bible rightly and fails to obey God thoroughly.

Second, the rejection of Biblical authority offends a holy God. This evil practice fails to honor and glorify God. It leads to idolatry, the worship of a false god fashioned after defiled reason. Prayers go unanswered. God withdraws His glorious presence and begins to judge His children for their sin.

Third, this sin of the Church causes offense to the Holy Spirit. To reject Biblical authority resists the work of the Holy Spirit, Who breathed its message into life. Such betrayal grieves Him and quenches His work. Thus, without His power, believers operate in the flesh, which is enmity against God and can not please Him (Romans 8.5-8).

Finally, to reject the authority of God's word tramples on the person and work of Jesus Christ. After all, the Bible speaks primarily to One Person, Jesus Christ. It promises Him. It predicts His works on behalf of sinners. It describes the sinner’s need of Him. It reveals the gospel in its entire splendor. In effect, then, this evil rejects Jesus Christ.

Space does not allow a full inventory of the dire consequences of this sin. Its implications permeate the very lives of believers. It constrains and even eliminates the glorious presence and work of God in the Church. He does not condone or excuse sin.