Someone sent me a link to an op-ed in Baptist News Global entitled, 3 words for the church in 2019: ‘we were wrong,’ and suggested I respond. The op-ed should be of deep concern to anyone who believes the Bible is the Word of God and is the final authority on all matters of faith and practice.

The op-ed’s author, Mark Wingfield, is a religious journalist and associate pastor of Wilshire Baptist Church in Dallas. In the article, Mr. Wingfield suggest seven things for which “the church” should apologize: race, protecting sexual predators, women pastors, what it means to be pro-life, excluding people from God’s grace because of their sexual orientation or gender identity, measuring the kingdom more in numbers than in souls, and for putting our hope in politics.

That’s quite a list, and more than I can respond to at one time. I would like to consider one statement he made in the introduction of his article that I think frames his thought and needs to be addressed. He stated that “too much of Christianity is built on absolute certainty and not enough on divine mystery.” That statement is even called out in a sidebar.

Wingfield continues, “Sadly, we have been trained to worship the received interpretation of Scripture rather than the overarching narrative of Scripture embodied in the gospel of Jesus Christ. Just as we have been trained to worship the Bible as the word of God more than Jesus as the divine Word of God.”

Moreover, Wilshire Baptist Church’s web site give some additional clues on Wingfield’s stance regarding the Bible: The church brands itself as “a different kind of Baptist church” that is “shaped by the Spirit of Jesus Christ” (there’s no mention of the Bible as a shaping influence). Rather, they “don’t just wave the Bible and quote it; we study it and listen to it and wrestle with it and with one another over it.” In other words, the Bible is not God’s inspired Word meant to correct and reshape human minds that have been corrupted by sin. Rather, the Bible is a collection of writings to be examined, debated and “corrected” by sinful minds.

Wingfield’s logic breaks down when he casually and conveniently assumes the church’s shortcomings are due to an overreliance on the authority of Scripture. By the end of the article, the clear implication is that those who adhere to Biblical authority are “frozen in time – as though every new thought or fresh word of God that might be possible has already been given. If that’s true, we’re stuck in a dead and futile faith; we truly are the ‘frozen chosen.’”

So, do those who trust in the Bible have a dead and futile faith? I think not.

1. The Basis for Certainty

First of all, can we as Christians be absolutely certain about anything? Can we be certain that the Scriptures are verbally inspired? Can we be certain that Jesus is God? Can we be certain that he rose from the dead? And if the answer is yes, on what basis are we certain?

As Christians, our certainty rests on the Holy Scriptures. That doesn’t in any way suggest that we check our brains at the door. God’s revealed truth is absolutely reasonable and provides meaning and coherence for a stable Christian worldview. The Bible is its own best evidence for its authority. We accept the Scriptures as authoritative in themselves and not because any council or creed has declared them so.

The accuracy of the Bible in matters of science, history, and anthropology substantiate our faith. Scriptural integrity is also bolstered by the Bible's incredible unity; 66 books written over 1,500 years by 40 different authors without contradiction or error. The fulfillment of prophecy also testifies to the truth and reliability of God’s Word. Taken together, as Christians, we have a very solid foundation on which to base our faith: God’s unchanging, infallible, Word.

2. The Reality of Mystery

Secondly, it is not clear at all what Mr. Wingfield means by “divine mystery.” Even those of us who are “absolutely certain” about our core beliefs admit that mysteries exist that we will never fully comprehend in this life (cf. Deuteronomy 29:29). However, the reality of divine mystery doesn’t mean we can’t be certain on issues that are clearly addressed in the Scriptures. While there is room for disagreement on many issues, certain things in Scripture are presented with absolute clarity.

It isn’t arrogance or bigotry to say we are certain that racism, sexual abuse, misogyny, and homosexuality are all sinful because the Bible clearly teaches that they are. Apparently, Mr. Wingfield has received a “fresh word of God?” that changes 2,000 years of orthodox belief.

What it simply comes down to is this: Mark Wingfield is a classic liberal who subverts the authority of Scriptures with his own. To be absolutely certain about the issues he mentions isn’t to be “frozen in time,” but is rather to be grounded in truth.

It is not our place to sit in judgment on God’s church. He’ll take care of that himself

3. The Need for Humility

We all freely acknowledge that the church of Jesus Christ is made up of imperfect, sinful people. But let’s be clear: it wasn’t the true church that burned men at the stake, slaughtered Muslims, and tortured innocent people. Our Lord’s church, the one that he loved and gave himself up for, has never condoned slavery, racism, or genocide. Those sins were carried out by religious systems driven by evil men consumed with their lust for wealth and power.

To use the past errors of religion to brand the church today, to hurl ambiguous accusations, and condescending remarks is irresponsible journalism and more like propaganda. In my mind, it reflects a sinful hubris for any person to call out the church on her “sins.” We may confront each other for our personal wrongs and call other Christians to repentance, but it is not our place to sit in judgment on God’s church. He’ll take care of that himself.