Guided by The Gospel – Issue 180 (Questions of Faith: Can I Trust the Whole Bible?)

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

Many people say they believe in God, accept Jesus as the Son of God, or find inspiration in parts of the Bible—yet they struggle to accept the entire Bible as true. Maybe certain passages seem outdated, others feel too harsh, and some appear scientifically or historically questionable.

This raises an important question: Can we truly believe in Jesus while doubting parts of the Bible? What does it mean if we pick and choose what we accept? More importantly, does the Bible itself allow for such selective belief?

The Bible isn’t just a collection of ancient writings—it is presented as God’s Word, divinely inspired and authoritative.

• 2 Timothy 3:16 – "All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness."
• Psalm 119:160 – "The sum of your word is truth, and every one of your righteous rules endures forever."

If all Scripture is God-breathed, then dismissing parts of it means we are questioning God’s wisdom, authorship, or truthfulness. This is a tough reality to face—especially when we encounter passages that challenge our worldview, values, or personal experiences.

Common reasons people struggle to accept the whole Bible:

1. Difficult Teachings – Some parts of the Bible challenge modern values or personal convictions (e.g., morality, judgment, submission to God).
2. Scientific & Historical Questions – Some struggle with how biblical accounts fit with secular views on history, evolution, or the universe.
3. Cultural Context – Certain laws and customs in the Old Testament seem foreign or irrelevant today.
4. Supernatural Elements – Some find it hard to believe in miracles, divine intervention, or prophecy.
5. Personal Experience – When life circumstances seem to contradict biblical promises, faith can waver.

Yet, the same Jesus we trust for salvation fully affirmed the Scriptures.

• Matthew 5:18 – "For truly I tell you, until heaven and earth disappear, not the smallest letter, not the least stroke of a pen, will by any means disappear from the Law until everything is accomplished."

If Jesus trusted and fulfilled the Scriptures, then picking and choosing what we accept puts us at odds with Christ Himself.

If we decide which parts of Scripture are true based on our own reasoning, preferences, or modern culture, then we become the ultimate authority rather than God.

• Proverbs 3:5 – "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding."

When we start rejecting parts of the Bible:

*We reshape God into our own image—rather than allowing Him to shape us.

*We weaken our foundation of faith—because a partially trusted Bible leads to a partially trusted God.

*We lose moral and spiritual consistency—because if some of God’s truth is negotiable, what stops all of it from being negotiable?

It’s okay to wrestle with hard passages—but outright rejecting parts of God’s Word leaves us with an incomplete faith.

Practical Takeaway: What Does This Mean for Us?

If you’ve ever struggled with parts of the Bible (and most believers do at some point), here’s how to navigate it:

• Start with Jesus – Since Jesus affirmed the Scriptures, trusting Him means trusting His view of the Bible.
• Pray for wisdom – Ask God to help you understand difficult passages instead of discarding them.
• Seek context – Many struggles with Scripture come from misinterpretation rather than actual contradiction.
• Be willing to surrender – If a passage challenges you, ask: Am I rejecting this because it’s false, or because it’s uncomfortable?

God doesn’t ask for blind faith, but He does call us to trust Him above our own reasoning. The Bible isn’t meant to fit into our understanding—it’s meant to reshape our understanding.

Reflection and Challenge - Have you ever struggled with certain passages in the Bible? How do you respond when you find something difficult to accept?

I’d love to hear your thoughts—share in the comments or send me a private message if you’d prefer a private discussion.

With Hope and Faith,

Edward C. Thomas

Guided by The Gospel

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