What We Believe—and Why | Part 1
If Christianity depends upon what the Bible teaches, how can we know whether the Bible deserves our trust?
For many people, the Bible is a familiar book. They may have grown up hearing its stories, memorizing its verses, or listening to sermons about its teachings. Others have never read it and wonder why Christians give such an ancient collection of writings so much authority. Whether someone has spent a lifetime studying Scripture or is encountering it for the first time, there are important questions worth considering.
Who wrote the Bible? How did it come to us? Why do Christians believe it is God's Word? And perhaps most importantly, what reason do we have to trust what it says?
These questions matter because Christianity makes extraordinary claims. It teaches that God created the world, that humanity has rebelled against Him, and that Jesus Christ, the eternal Son of God, entered our world to save sinners. These are not insignificant beliefs, and they are certainly not claims we should accept merely because someone tells us to. We ought to ask where they come from and whether there is good reason to believe them.
At Living Way Church, we believe the Bible is the written Word of God and the final authority for what we believe and how we live. But rather than simply asking you to accept that conviction, we want to open the Scriptures together and consider why Christians hold it.
What Does the Bible Claim About Itself?
One of the most important passages concerning the nature of Scripture is 2 Timothy 3:14–17. Paul is writing to Timothy, a younger minister serving in a setting where false teaching and opposition threaten the faithfulness of God's people. Rather than encouraging Timothy to pursue something new, Paul calls him to remain grounded in what he has already learned.
Paul reminds Timothy that from childhood he has been acquainted with the sacred writings. These were the Old Testament Scriptures, which Timothy had learned long before the New Testament was completed. Paul explains that these writings are able to make him wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. He then makes an extraordinary statement:
“All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness.” (2 Timothy 3:16, ESV)
Notice what Paul is saying about Scripture. He does not describe it merely as a collection of good ideas about God or the reflections of particularly insightful religious thinkers. Instead, he tells Timothy that Scripture is breathed out by God. His emphasis is on its origin. Although the words of Scripture were written by human authors, they ultimately came from God Himself.
This is what Christians mean when we speak about the inspiration of Scripture. We are not suggesting that the biblical writers simply felt inspired in the way a poet or musician might experience a moment of creativity. We believe God was actively involved in the writing of Scripture so that the words these men wrote were truly His Word.
But that introduces another important question. If people actually wrote the Bible, how can we also say that it comes from God?
If People Wrote the Bible, How Can It Be God's Word?
The Bible did not fall from heaven as a completed book. It was written over many centuries by different human authors living in different historical circumstances. These writers came from a variety of backgrounds and wrote in several literary forms, including history, poetry, prophecy, wisdom literature, letters, and accounts of Jesus' life and ministry.
We can even recognize differences in the way these authors wrote. David's psalms do not sound like Paul's letters, and Luke's careful historical narrative is quite different from the prophetic visions recorded by Ezekiel. These differences are not something Scripture attempts to conceal. They are part of the remarkable way God chose to communicate His revelation.
Consider how Peter describes the origin of biblical prophecy in 2 Peter 1:20–21. Peter is concerned that his readers understand that the prophetic message did not originate in the prophet's own initiative or imagination. Rather, the prophets spoke from God as they were directed by the Holy Spirit.
Peter does not deny that human beings spoke. Instead, he explains that God was at work through them. When we consider Peter's explanation of prophecy alongside Paul's teaching about Scripture being breathed out by God, we begin to understand how Christians can affirm both the human authorship and the divine origin of Scripture.
God did not need to eliminate the personalities, experiences, or vocabulary of the biblical writers to communicate His Word. He worked through them, using their individual circumstances and abilities, while ensuring that what they wrote faithfully communicated what He intended.
At Living Way Church, we believe the Bible consists of the 39 books of the Old Testament and the 27 books of the New Testament. Together, these writings constitute the written Word of God. We also believe that the Holy Spirit so directed their human authors that Scripture, as originally given, is free from error in everything it teaches.
This conviction is rooted in what we believe about God Himself. If God is truthful and Scripture comes from Him, then we have good reason to trust what He has revealed. That does not mean every passage is equally easy to understand or that every interpretation Christians offer is necessarily correct. It means that we must distinguish between the truthfulness of Scripture and the possibility that our understanding of it may be mistaken.
Why Does That Make Scripture Authoritative?
There is an important connection between what Christians believe about God and what we believe about the Bible. If Scripture truly comes from God, then its trustworthiness ultimately rests upon His character. We believe God is truthful, wise, and faithful. Consequently, when God speaks, His Word deserves our confidence and obedience.
This is why Christians do not regard Scripture as authoritative simply because it is ancient, historically influential, or treasured by the Church. Those things may tell us something about the Bible's importance, but they do not explain the source of its authority. Scripture possesses authority because the God who speaks through it possesses authority.
This understanding also shapes the way we view the teachings and traditions of the Church. Throughout Christian history, believers have produced creeds, confessions, and theological writings that help us understand and explain biblical truth. We can learn a great deal from Christians who have carefully studied God's Word before us, and we would be foolish to dismiss their contributions simply because they belong to another generation.
But we must remember that even the wisest Christian teachers are capable of making mistakes. Church councils, theological traditions, and personal experiences must all be examined in light of Scripture. We do not believe that any later revelation or religious authority can add to, change, or overrule what God has given us in His written Word.
This does not mean we reject the value of Christian tradition. It means we recognize that Scripture alone possesses the final, infallible authority by which every other teaching must be judged.
Of course, recognizing what the Bible claims about itself does not automatically settle every question about its reliability. Someone investigating Christianity might reasonably ask how we know the biblical writings have been preserved accurately, whether the events they describe actually happened, or why certain books were recognized as Scripture. These questions deserve thoughtful answers, and we should not dismiss them as though asking questions were somehow an act of rebellion against God.
There is an important distinction here. Explaining what the Bible claims about its own origin helps us understand the Christian position, but someone who does not yet accept Scripture's authority may understandably want additional reasons to believe that claim. Questions about history, manuscripts, eyewitness testimony, and the recognition of the biblical books are therefore worthwhile subjects for further investigation.
For now, however, we need to understand the foundational conviction Christianity is making. The Bible is not merely a record of humanity's search for God. Christians believe it is God's revelation of Himself to humanity.
And that raises a question we sometimes overlook. If God has given us His Word, what does He intend for us to do with it?
What Is the Bible Actually For?
When we return to Paul's words in 2 Timothy, we discover that he is concerned with much more than establishing a doctrine of inspiration. He reminds Timothy that the sacred writings are able to make him wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus (2 Timothy 3:15). This tells us something essential about the purpose of Scripture.
The Bible is not merely a collection of moral instructions, nor is it primarily intended to satisfy our curiosity about ancient history. It reveals who God is, explains the reality of our sin, and directs us to the salvation found in Jesus Christ. Throughout its many books, written across different generations and circumstances, Scripture unfolds the purposes of God in creation, redemption, and the restoration of all things.
Jesus Himself helps us understand this. Following His resurrection, He encountered two disciples traveling on the road to Emmaus. These men were struggling to make sense of His crucifixion and the reports that He was alive. Luke tells us that Jesus began with Moses and the Prophets and explained the things concerning Himself throughout the Scriptures (Luke 24:27).
Think about what that means. Jesus did not treat the Old Testament as a disconnected collection of religious writings. He showed these disciples how the Scriptures testified to Him and how His suffering and glory belonged to the unfolding purposes of God.
This gives us an important principle for reading the Bible. We should certainly study individual passages carefully, paying attention to their historical setting and the purpose of their human authors. But we should also learn to recognize how those passages contribute to the larger story of God's redemptive work in Christ.
Our goal, therefore, is not simply to accumulate biblical knowledge. We want to know the God who has revealed Himself through His Word. Biblical understanding should lead us toward deeper faith, genuine worship, and lives increasingly shaped by the truth we have received.
Does Believing the Bible Mean We Should Stop Asking Questions?
Sometimes people assume that confidence in Scripture requires us to stop asking difficult questions. Perhaps they have encountered Christians who respond defensively when someone challenges a particular interpretation or raises concerns about the Bible. Unfortunately, that can leave the impression that Christian faith depends upon avoiding serious examination.
But I would suggest that confidence in Scripture should produce exactly the opposite response. If we genuinely believe the Bible is God's Word, then we ought to be especially concerned about understanding it correctly.
That means asking careful questions about what a passage says, why it was written, how its original audience would have understood it, and how it relates to the rest of Scripture. It also means recognizing that our understanding of Scripture is not always the same thing as Scripture itself. We can be completely convinced that God's Word is true while acknowledging that we may have misunderstood something it teaches.
The Bereans provide a wonderful example of thoughtful engagement with Scripture. When Paul and Silas entered the synagogue in Berea, the people received their message eagerly, but they also examined the Scriptures daily to determine whether what they were hearing was true (Acts 17:10–12). They were neither dismissive of the message nor careless in accepting it. They listened attentively and tested what they heard against the Scriptures they already possessed. Luke commends their response, and many of them came to believe.
Think about the significance of that example. These people were examining the teaching of the apostle Paul. If the Bereans were commended for examining his proclamation against Scripture, surely we should encourage Christians to examine the teaching they hear from pastors, authors, and other Christian leaders today.
This is one of the reasons we place such a strong emphasis on careful biblical interpretation at Living Way Church. We do not want people simply to memorize our conclusions or accept something because a pastor says it. We want them to understand how those conclusions arise from Scripture so they can return to the text, examine it for themselves, and grow in their ability to understand God's Word faithfully.
Questions, therefore, are not necessarily enemies of faith. When approached with humility and a sincere desire to understand, they can become valuable opportunities for spiritual growth. The goal is not to question everything endlessly, but to learn how to distinguish what Scripture actually teaches from what we may have assumed it teaches.
What Difference Should This Make in Our Lives?
If the Bible truly is God's Word, then reading it is more than an intellectual exercise. We are approaching the revelation of the God who created us, knows us, and has made Himself known through Jesus Christ.
Sometimes His Word comforts us with promises we desperately need to remember. At other times, it confronts our attitudes, exposes our sin, or challenges assumptions we have carried for years. There will also be passages we find difficult to understand and questions for which we do not immediately have satisfactory answers.
In each of these circumstances, we need both humility and patience. Humility reminds us that we are not the ultimate authority over what Scripture means. Patience reminds us that understanding often requires careful study, thoughtful conversation, and a willingness to reconsider conclusions we may have held for a long time.
Paul concludes his explanation of Scripture's usefulness by saying that it equips the person of God for every good work (2 Timothy 3:17). That is worth thinking about. God has not given us Scripture simply so that we can win arguments, defend theological positions, or demonstrate how much we know about the Bible. He uses His Word to teach us, correct us, train us in righteousness, and prepare us for lives of faithful obedience.
This does not mean biblical knowledge is unimportant. Quite the opposite. We need a growing understanding of Scripture precisely because God uses His truth to shape how we think, what we love, the choices we make, and the way we relate to other people.
The more faithfully we understand His Word, the better equipped we become to live in light of it.
An Invitation to Open the Bible
Perhaps you have believed the Bible all your life but have never given much thought to why you trust it. Maybe you have serious questions about its reliability, or perhaps you are simply curious about Christianity and wonder why this book occupies such a central place in the Christian faith.
Wherever you find yourself, I would encourage you to begin by reading 2 Timothy 3:14–17. Pay attention to what Paul says Scripture is, where it comes from, what it accomplishes, and why God has given it to us. Then consider how those claims relate to the way you approach the Bible.
There is one question in particular that I hope you will carry with you:
If God really has spoken through Scripture, what difference should that make in the way I approach it?
That question is worth more than a quick answer. It invites us to consider whether we approach the Bible merely as an interesting religious document, a source of occasional encouragement, or the revelation of the God who has made Himself known.
At Living Way Church, we believe God has spoken. And because He has spoken, we believe His Word deserves our careful attention, our thoughtful study, and our willing response.
That is where our exploration of the Christian faith begins.
This article is part of What We Believe—and Why, a Living Way Church series exploring the biblical foundations of the Christian faith.
Continue Exploring
Living Way Church Sermon Library
Coming next: How Should We Read the Bible? — Understanding context, interpretation, and the responsibility every believer has to handle God's Word faithfully.