Proverbs 22:28 says, “Do not move an ancient boundary stone set up by your forefathers (NIV).” This is a warning that I think we desperately need to look at in the church today. We must adapt to reach this new generation, but we must be careful that we do not remove ancient landmarks established by God. Salvation is not based upon our works … but this has sometimes made us afraid to draw Godly lines of Christian conduct. Many of our children, youth, and baby Christians honestly do not know what is right or wrong. The church desperately needs to establish Godly boundaries to give direction and security to the world of today.

The only safe guide we have is the Bible. It was written by God using men over a span of 1500 years from pre-Israel to Israel ... Babylonian ... Medes and Persian ... and Roman cultures. The men used by God ranged from nomads to shepherds to kings to soldiers to prophets to fishermen and etc.

Though not written as a science, history, or medical book, it has scientific facts, historical facts, and medical facts that only in recent years have modern research been able to discover and confirm as truth. These are facts and truths that the early writers had no way to know, let alone record for posterity.

There is perfect harmony from the earliest book of Genesis to the last book of Revelation. The only viable explanation is that God oversaw and inspired the original writing because He had a message that He wanted to give and be handed down to all generations of His creation, and that He has carefully watched over the translating and retranslating to ensure that the true message has been handed down.

It has never been revised ... the translations have been, but only to bring clarity and to strive to remain as true to the original documents as is humanly possible.

One of the greatest modern proofs was the discovery of the Dead Sea Scrolls in 1946-47 and then in 1956. Among other writings they contain parts of the majority of the Old Testament ... including all of Isaiah and Psalms. They are dated from sometime during the 600 years before Christ was born; and after being translated using the best modern understandings, they match perfectly the current message of the Old Testament.

The evidence of authenticity goes far beyond what could ever be conveyed in a brief article ... and far beyond my ability to research or understand; but the greatest proof of all is the impact the Bible has had over the lives of men and women of all the ages and around the world ever since.

Yes, there are different understandings of areas of scripture, but the basic truths and guidelines remain clear for all who will search them out. There is no other book of science, history, or medicine that has the authenticity, distribution, or accreditation of the Bible.

Yes, thankfully we live in a nation that gives us freedom to believe as we choose, but truth will remain the truth no matter what we choose to believe. I personally choose to place my faith upon the God of the Bible and follow the Bible as His personal message to myself and all who will seek after Him through the pages of His message given to guide me unto Himself.

(Luke 21:28) Lift up your heads and see; your redemption is near at hand.

Your ways, O LORD, make known to me; teach me your paths, Guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my savior.

Good and upright is the LORD; thus he shows sinners the way. He guides the humble to justice, he teaches the humble his way.

All the paths of the LORD are kindness and constancy toward those who keep his covenant and his decrees.

The friendship of the LORD is with those who fear him, and his covenant, for their instruction.

Pastor’s Podium

The Pastor’s Podium column is offered each week by a different pastor or lay person representing an Ellsworth County church.

The week’s columnist is Exie Barber, pastor of the Assembly of God Church, Ellsworth.

The I-R is seeking additional writers for the Pastor’s Podium page. We would like to have all area churches represented. The schedule is rotated so no one writes more than once every three months.

If the pastor or a lay person at your church is interested in writing for this page and is not on the schedule, please call the I-R at (785) 472-5085 for more information.