In the early 16^th century, Desiderius Erasmus, the Dutch scholar, was in process of producing a Greek version of the New Testament. Until that time, the Latin Vulgate version was the version most commonly used in churches. Many were concerned at this development, and Erasmus met opposition from various quarters. One such challenge was in a letter sent from Martin Dorpius, of Louvain University. In a detailed and courteous reply, Erasmus wrote: “… you follow in the steps of those vulgar divines who are accustomed to attribute ecclesiastical authority to whatever in any way creeps in general use.” (The Oxford Reformers, by Frederic Seebohm, p197.) Historically, of course, the Greek New Testament produced by Erasmus became one of the triggers for the Protestant Reformation. Later, via the revisions of William Tyndale, Erasmus’ work became the basis for the ‘King James Version’ of the Bible.

Tyndale himself was in a debate with a clergyman about the necessity for the ‘man in the pew’ to be familiar with the Bible. His reply is well-known: “If God spare my life before many years, I will cause the boy that drives the plough to know more of the scriptures than you!”

One of the great achievements of the Protestant Reformation was to make the Bible widely available, and widely known. (One of the wrongs that the Reformation addressed was widespread ignorance of the Bible.) It was not sufficient that only the clergy should have access to the Bible. All who have faith in Christ should have a Bible and be familiar with its contents. “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness;” (2 Timothy 3.16) I suggest that that implies that not just Church leaders have access to it.

It is a historic fact that the modern missionary movement included the translation of the Bible into local languages. It is obvious that, as the gospel is preached, and churches are planted, that Christians should have their own Bibles. Alongside that we might add the necessity for good training for leaders, but also helpful teaching for all.

I offer some reasons for knowing the Bible:

• The predominant theme of the whole Bible is Jesus Christ. The Old Testament tells us of the story before His coming. The New Testament tells of His ministry, and that continuing ministry through the Church, and points us forward to His Return.
• The person of Christ is found everywhere in Scripture. There are numerous explicit predictions about him, from Genesis 3.15, announcing the One who would crush the serpent’s head.
• Old Testament characters point us forward to Christ’s character. For example, Joseph was ‘separate from his brothers’ (Gen 49.26). David was the man after God’s own heart (1 Sam 13.14).
• Old Testament types and shadows also point us to Christ. For example, the ark, constructed by Noah, became the only means of safety and deliverance for mankind. In the same way, Christ is the only Saviour.
• The promises of God are ‘yes’ and ‘Amen’ in Christ (2 Cor 1.18-20). All that God has promised will happen through Jesus Christ. I only know those promises through the Bible. And I have every confidence that those promises are wonderful. For God alone is good.

A couple of concerns:

• The availability, in the west at least, of countless Bible resources has perhaps lessened our desire for the Bible itself. It has become too easy to read what someone else has said, without checking what the Bible itself says.
• I would want to avoid cynicism but do want to promote a healthy critical attitude towards what we read and listen to.  Just as my car is MOT’ed to prove it is in good condition, so I want to test what I read or hear and confirm that it is true. And, then embrace what is good, but reject what is in error.
• One helpful approach with regard to the Bible is to compare scripture with scripture. When I find a verse or section difficult to understand, I find something clearer which addresses the same issue. Comparing them I can gain a better understanding.

In Mark’s record (chapter 15) of Christ’s trial before the Sanhedrin there is an interesting contrast.

In v60-61 the high priest put this question to Jesus; “are you not going to answer?” when presented with contradictory accusations. Jesus “remained silent and gave no answer.”

In v61-62, the same high priest put a different question: “Are you the Christ, the Son of the Blessed One?” This question merited a clear positive answer. “I am,” said Jesus. “And you will see the Son of Man sitting on the right hand of the Mighty One and coming on the clouds of heaven.”

In one moment, Christ was silent, refusing to answer the accusations brought against Him. Apparently, moments later, He responded directly to the high priest’s question, effectively ensuring His own condemnation to death (v63).

Elsewhere Christ answered cryptically (Mark 11.27-33). Sometimes He told a story or gave a parable in response to questions. Careful study also reveals that Christ was very aware of His audience. His words to the Twelve are quite different to those addressed to the Pharisees, for example.

This is a big topic! What we say matters. A reputation can be destroyed, a heart broken, or deep hurts mended, each with a few words. James points at the frequent inconsistency of the human tongue: “out of the same mouth come praise and cursing.” It seems scarcely necessary for him to add; “this should not be” (James 3.10).

I would add, in the modern world of social media, there is an apparently never-ending torrent of trivia; an army of ‘trolls,’ with their fake news, bitter cynicism, and appalling abuse.

Returning to the most perfect of examples, Jesus Christ. “Grace from His lips doth fly,” is the start of the Scottish Psalms version of Psalm 45.

His words were always excellent, fit for the moment, apt for His audience. Blessing the widow and the sobbing child, rebuking the hypocrite, silencing the religious formalist and legalist; encouraging and inspiring His small band of nervous followers.

The command is both obvious and awesome – be like Christ. “As He is so are we in this world” (1 John 4.17).

Our prayer, each day, each hour, each moment, is simple – that we might carry the very words of Christ on our lips.

We need to fuel the fire, to sharpen the blade; study His words. Read and re-read the gospels. Stop at Christ’s words. Study the occasion. Where, who, why, when?

When Paul writes to the Philippians, he encourages them to “hold out the word of life” (Phil 2.16). The verb ‘hold out’ means to ‘echo forth.’ What we have heard we re-say.

The apostle Paul closes his first letter to the Church at Thessalonica with these words: “may your whole spirit and soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. “ (1 Thess 5.23).

Reading the instructions in Leviticus is not the easier way to start your day. Often, we are left wondering the point of all the detail. For example, an Israelite who found a stain in his leather garment was required to take it to be examined by the priest (Leviticus 13). It has dawned on me that these instructions were designed to ensure the people of God, the children of Israel, were kept holy and ‘clean’ in the land that God had given them. God was preserving them, spirit and soul and body.

It was not only a question of which of the Ten Commandments someone might breach. It is a much broader question, concerning physical health and mental well-being as well as living righteously.

How does this translate into instructions for a Christian seeking to live by NT instructions? Is there any correlation between me taking my leather tunic to the priest, having found a stain in it and how much I use social media, or what I spend my money on? I believe there is.

The NT contains statements like this:

• “Accept him whose faith is weak, without passing judgment on disputable matters” (Rom 14.1).
• “Everything is permissible for me – but not everything is beneficial: (! Cor 6.12).
• “Be very careful, then, how you live – not as unwise, but as wise” (Eph 5.15).
• “To the pure, all things are pure, but to those who are corrupted and do not believe, nothing is pure. In fact, both their minds and consciences are corrupted.” (Titus 1.15).

These statements (and there are many similar) do not seek to provide a checklist of ‘do’s and ‘don’t’s. Far from it, they paint a way of life for the Christ-follower.

The Ephesians verse puts me in mind of a cat, walking along a wall with glass fixed in its top. ‘walk circumspectly,’ is how one version puts this verse.  Bible writers in both the Old and New Testaments are concerned to free us from legalistic commitment to a fixed set of instructions. Paul makes clear that he is declaring a ‘way of life’ in Christ Jesus. By walking in this ‘way of life,’ our spirit and soul and body can be preserved blameless for Christ’s return.

The writer of Leviticus comments that this holiness is a matter of co-operation between God and His people: “You are to be holy to me because I, the Lord, am holy, and I have set you apart from the nations to be my own” (Lev 20.26). The Lord Himself makes us holy. Yet we are commanded to be holy.

The same constructive tension runs through the New Testament. (That is for another day.)

Coming to some application. How do we walk wisely?

• Firstly, how I live will be different to how others live, and vice versa. We are to avoid judging a Christian who, applying the same Scriptures, finds a different conclusion. One may enjoy drinking alcohol; another may abstain. Neither should judge the other.
• Secondly, the issues are enormously varied, with time, with culture, with our personal circumstances. Scripture gives us the principles and examples, pre-eminently of Jesus Christ Himself. He navigated the world of the first century Roman-occupied Judea with total integrity.
• Thirdly in the Levitical instructions, it was the priest who declared a person clean or unclean. The priest pictures the individual Christian as well as Christ. Personal conscience, made alive by the Spirit of God, is an essential guide to what is ‘beneficial.’

I have heard sermons criticising Christians for using social media, for watching television, for playing sport. Such criticise is unhelpful, in part because the issues are more nuanced. This is where we need to have minds and hearts full of scripture and sensitive to the Spirit.

On the specific subject of social media (and these comments might be applied to other matters):

• Some Christians need to switch off their social media. It leads them into damaging relationships and exposes them to unhelpful content. Like Joseph, tempted by Potiphar’s wife, the only response is to flee.
• Some Christians work as evangelists to our digital world. They need to understand the world of social media, so they can be effective and fruitful in their ministry. Like the apostle Paul in Athens, they look for elements within their culture to preach Christ.
• Many of us are somewhere in between. Social media might be a part of our employment. We might join Facebooks groups to support others with shared interests. We need to learn to use it wisely. We must learn to control it, and not let it control us.