Clarity: How Much Influence Should the Bible Have on Morality?

Part of the Clarity Series: Building a Christian Worldview

How much influence should the Bible have on our morality?

This is more than an abstract question—it shapes how we live every day. Whether we’re making personal choices, engaging in culture, or raising children, our view of right and wrong matters deeply.

In Clarity, we’re exploring key topics that shape our worldview. We’ve considered spiritual warfare, the trustworthiness of the Bible, faith and science, political identity, and the End Times. Now we turn to morality—and how Scripture forms it.

This is what I want you to remember: The Bible shapes the beliefs and behaviors of God’s people as we live as salt and light in the world.

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The Lens of Our Worldview

Imagine trying to live out every command in the Bible for a year. That’s exactly what author A.J. Jacobs attempted in The Year of Living Biblically. In a TED Talk, he shared three key takeaways: following rules reshaped his behavior and mindset, sacredness matters, and—perhaps most notably—we all pick and choose the rules we follow.

Jacobs, an agnostic, made value judgments about which biblical commands seemed helpful or harmful. But that raises a deeper question: Who gets to define what’s right and wrong?

Across cultures and religions, morality exists. But a Christian worldview begins with a foundational claim: morality flows from God, our Creator. Romans 2:14–16 reveals that even those without the Law have a moral compass—because all humans are made in God’s image. We were created to reflect His character.

If that’s true, why don’t we all share the same moral convictions? The answer is found in the story the Bible tells.

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The Bible’s Story: Our Moral Foundation

In the beginning, Adam and Eve were created to walk with God and learn from Him what is good. But in Genesis 3, they chose to define good and evil for themselves. That rebellion has echoed through human history ever since.

Still, God didn’t abandon His plan. He called Abraham and formed Israel to be a holy nation and a kingdom of priests (Exodus 19:5–6). They were to reflect His holiness and justice through the Law. Yet Israel, like humanity at large, often failed—choosing conformity to the world over obedience to God.

Through the prophet Isaiah, God declared Israel would be a “light to the nations” (Isaiah 42:6). That calling was ultimately fulfilled in Jesus, who said, “I am the light of the world” (John 8:12). And now, Jesus commissions His followers to carry that light, to be “the salt of the earth” and “the light of the world” (Matthew 5:13–16).

This is where our morality matters most: we are called to embody God’s character so that the world might see what love and truth look like.

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Biblical Morality Begins with Love

Morality isn’t about legalism—it’s about love. When asked to name the greatest commandment, Jesus responded by quoting Deuteronomy 6 and Leviticus 19: “Love the Lord your God with all your heart… and love your neighbor as yourself” (Mark 12:29–31). The Ten Commandments reflect this: the first four teach us how to love God; the last six show us how to love people.

Love is more than a feeling. It’s sacrificial, intentional, and deeply rooted in action. Jesus showed us what this love looks like by washing feet, healing the broken, and dying on the cross (John 13:34–35). Paul echoed this call in Ephesians 5:1–21, urging us to walk in love, truth, and wisdom—to live lives that reflect the light of Christ.

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The Bible’s Role in Shaping Morality

So how much influence should the Bible have on our morality? For followers of Jesus, it’s not just an influence—it’s the foundation. God’s Word reveals His will and character, forming our hearts and habits as we study, worship, and obey.

That doesn’t mean quoting Scripture will always convince others. Many reject the Bible’s authority. But we still influence the world—not by forcing moral codes, but by faithfully living as God’s people. That’s how the early church transformed the Roman Empire, and that’s how we can live as a faithful witness today.

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Living the Truth: A Challenge

This week, read Ephesians 5:1–21.

Ask God to reveal any area where your life isn’t aligned with His love and truth. Then, choose one practical way to show sacrificial love to someone around you. Let your morality shine as a reflection of God’s light in the world.

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Tying It All Together

This Clarity series helps us build a lens through which to view life.

• Spiritual warfare taught us to depend on God’s power.

• The Bible gave us a trustworthy source of truth.

• Science and faith reminded us that reason and revelation work together.

• Politics revealed our identity as citizens of God’s Kingdom.

• The End Times called us to live with purpose.

• And now, morality anchors us in love and holiness, pointing us toward the kind of life that reflects Jesus in a dark world.

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Closing Prayer

• Thank God for the wisdom and truth found in His Word.

• Confess where your morality has been shaped more by culture than by Scripture.

• Ask God to help you live as salt and light, a faithful witness of His love and truth.

If you have questions about what it means to follow Jesus—or if you sense the Holy Spirit calling you deeper—please reach out. Let’s walk this road together, living out a worldview shaped by Scripture, and shining God’s light in a world longing for clarity.

Clarity: Can I Trust the Bible?

Welcome back to our blog series, Clarity, where we’re building a Christian worldview to navigate life’s toughest topics. In our first post, we explored spiritual warfare, learning from Ephesians 6:10-20 that our role is to rely on God and stand firm. Now, we’re tackling a foundational question: Can I trust the Bible? If we’re going to lean on Scripture to shape our understanding of reality—whether it’s spiritual battles or daily decisions—we need confidence in its reliability. Let’s dive into this with humility, recognizing I’m not an expert but a fellow traveler piecing together insights from God’s Word and solid resources. (If you’d like to dig deeper, I’ll share some recommendations at the end.)

Where Do We Turn for Answers?

Think about how we handle questions today. In 2022, Americans googled everything from “What to watch?” (109 million searches) to “Where’s my refund?” (89 million) to “How many ounces in a cup?” (32 million). Google, Siri, and Alexa are our go-to problem-solvers. But as Christians, when we face questions about God, the world, or what it means to follow Jesus, we’re called to a different source: the Bible. It’s not just a book of ancient stories—it’s God’s guide for His people.

Paul, writing to his protégé Timothy, puts it this way in 2 Timothy 3:14-17: “But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have become convinced of… how from infancy you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.” Paul’s point? The Bible equips us with truth to live rightly—but only if we trust it. That’s why this question matters. Since much of our worldview hinges on Scripture, we need to establish its trustworthiness upfront.

Two Truths to Frame Our Approach

Before we dive into evidence, let’s anchor ourselves with two key truths about the Bible. First, as Dan Kimball writes in How (Not) to Read the Bible, “The Bible was written for us, not to us.” It’s God’s truth for His people, but we aren’t the original audience. Take Genesis 1:1—“In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth.” Our modern picture of the cosmos differs from an Israelite’s 3,000 years ago. Or consider Leviticus, where bats are listed among unclean “birds”—their categories don’t match ours. When something feels confusing, it’s often a signal we’re missing the original context. That’s not a flaw; it’s an invitation to dig deeper.

Second, every word in our Bible is translated. From Hebrew, Aramaic, and Greek to English, teams of scholars labor to preserve the text’s meaning. Are nuances lost? Sometimes. But their commitment ensures we can trust the Bibles we hold. So, with these truths in mind—context matters, and translation is reliable—let’s explore why we can trust Scripture.

Three Lines of Evidence

To build confidence in the Bible, we’ll look at three pillars: manuscript evidence, archaeological evidence, and cohesion evidence.

1. Manuscript Evidence: A Wealth of Copies
   When evaluating ancient texts, scholars ask: How many copies exist, and how close are they to the originals? Compare the Bible to other ancient works. Caesar’s Gallic Wars? Ten manuscripts. Homer’s Iliad? 643. The Old Testament boasts over 11,000 manuscripts, while the New Testament has 5,700—far more than any ancient text. Even better, some New Testament manuscripts date within 100 years of their writing, while other classics were copied centuries later. With so many copies—fragments to full texts—scholars can cross-check them. The result? The New Testament is 99.5% accurate, and the Old Testament is remarkably consistent. This isn’t a game of telephone; it’s a carefully preserved record.
2. Archaeological Evidence: History Confirmed
   Archaeology keeps uncovering the Bible’s historical roots. Take the Mesha Stele, discovered in 1868 but newly analyzed in January 2023. This stone recounts King Mesha of Moab warring with Israel, aligning with 2 Kings 3, and mentions the “House of David” and Israel’s God. Or consider a 2007 find: a monument celebrating Hezekiah’s pools in Jerusalem, echoing 2 Kings 20:20. Then there’s a tiny lead tablet from Mount Ebal, excavated decades ago but only recently readable via CAT scan. Dated 1200-1400 BC, it bears a curse—“Cursed, cursed, cursed—cursed by the God YHW”—matching Joshua 8’s account. These are just snapshots; hundreds of discoveries affirm the Bible’s historical reliability.
3. Cohesion Evidence: A Unified Story
   Spanning centuries, penned by dozens of authors, the Bible tells one cohesive story: God’s plan to redeem creation through Jesus. From Genesis 3:15’s promise of a serpent-crusher to Genesis 12’s call to Abraham, from Israel’s role to Jesus’ arrival, and the Gospel spreading worldwide—it’s seamless. Its moral core—“Love God, love people”—threads through Old and New Testaments. God’s heart for Gentiles shines in both the prophets and Acts. This unity across time and cultures is extraordinary, a testament to divine guidance.

The Bible’s Living Power

Hebrews 4:12 adds another layer: “For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.” The Bible doesn’t just inform—it reveals truth we’d miss otherwise. It shows us God, exposes the world’s brokenness, and unveils our own hearts. When we trust it, it shapes us into God’s people.

The Big Idea: Trustworthy Truth for Life

Here’s the takeaway: We can trust the Bible to give us the truth we need to live as God’s people. It’s not like other ancient books—its preservation, historical backing, and unified narrative set it apart. We can be confident this is the book God intended for us.

Your Challenge

So, what’s next? Find a Bible reading plan and start engaging with Scripture. Whether it’s a “Bible in a Year” plan or a slower dive into a single book, let God’s Word speak. It’s not just reliable—it’s alive, ready to guide you into truth.

Why This Matters for Our Worldview

In our Clarity series, we’re constructing a Christian worldview. Last time, we saw spiritual warfare requires reliance on God. Now, we’ve established the Bible as our trustworthy foundation. It’s not Google or cultural trends we turn to—it’s Scripture, revealing reality as God sees it. As we move forward, this confidence will anchor us through life’s tough topics.

Resources to Explore:

• How (Not) to Read the Bible by Dan Kimball
• The Bible Project (videos and podcasts)
• Evidence That Demands a Verdict by Josh McDowell

Getting Out of the Dark

 “But somehow he was comforted. It was rather splendid to be wearing a blade made in Gondolin for the goblin-wars of which so many songs had sung; and also he had noticed that such weapons made a great impression on goblins that came upon them suddenly.

“’Go back?’ he thought. ‘No good at all! Go sideways? Impossible! Go forward? Only thing to do!’ So up he got, and trotted along with his little sword held in front of him and one hand feeling the wall, and his heart all of a patter and a pitter.”
— The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien

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Bilbo Baggins was in over his head. Far from the warm glow of his hobbit hole in the Shire, he was lost in the shadowy depths of the Misty Mountains. His friends were nowhere to be found, and worse, goblins were on his trail. Alone in the dark, he faced a moment of reckoning.

As panic crept in, Bilbo’s hand brushed against the elvish dagger at his side—Sting, a weapon crafted for legendary wars. It wasn’t much, and he was no warrior, but holding it sparked something in him. That small glimmer of courage was enough to push him forward through the suffocating blackness.

Sound familiar? We all have those days—moments when life feels like a cave with no exit. The questions pile up: What now? Where do I turn? Who’s got my back? When everything feels uncertain and overwhelming, Bilbo’s story offers a surprising lifeline.

For Bilbo, Sting wasn’t just a blade—it was a symbol of hope, a tool that unsettled his enemies and steadied his nerves. But the Bible hands us something far sharper and more powerful:

“For the word of God is living and effective and sharper than any double-edged sword, penetrating as far as the separation of soul and spirit, joints and marrow. It is able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart.”
(Hebrews 4:12, CSB)

God’s Word cuts deeper than any weapon. It slices through confusion, exposes the enemy’s lies, and lights the way when we’re stumbling in the dark. The more we lean into Scripture—letting it sink into our minds and hearts—the stronger we become to face whatever’s ahead.

With Sting in hand, Bilbo weighed his options. Going back wasn’t possible; the goblins were behind him. Sideways? The cave walls said no. Forward was the only path, so he took it—one shaky step at a time.

The Apostle Paul had a similar mindset:

“Brothers and sisters, I don’t consider myself to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and reaching forward to what is ahead, I pursue as my goal the prize promised by God’s heavenly call in Christ Jesus.”
(Philippians 3:13-14, CSB)

Like Bilbo, we can’t rewind time. The past—whether it’s regrets or even a comfortable yesterday—can’t be our anchor. Clinging too hard to what was blinds us to what could be. The only way out is forward, trusting God’s lead.

So, if you find yourself in a dark place—lost, scared, or alone—don’t throw in the towel. Pick up your sword. Open the Bible and let its truth steady you. Then take that next step, wherever He points you.

Bilbo did it. You can too.

Revisiting the Bible: A Call to Humility and Submission

Being far removed from the time when the Bible was written is both a blessing and a challenge. On the one hand, we profit from centuries of insights from Christians who have studied, pondered, and sought to faithfully teach the Scriptures. Their work provides us with a valuable resource of meditations, teachings, and examples of faith that continue to benefit us today.

On the other hand, this distance can be a challenge because of the assumptions and doctrines we bring to the Bible. While the contributions of theologians and scholars are invaluable, they can sometimes hinder our understanding of the Bible’s intended meaning. Too often, we treat their teachings as the final word on Biblical doctrine, leaving little room for exploration or questioning. This elevates human interpretation above the divine truth revealed in Scripture.

Biblical Christianity must be rooted in God’s Word rather than in the interpretations of even the most brilliant thinkers. Our standard for truth cannot be defined by what someone else declares it to be. Instead, it must be grounded in the truth God has revealed through the Bible.

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A Call to Submission

I am reminded of a thought-provoking observation from Scot McKnight in his commentary on Galatians:

“Our stance is submission to whatever the text says, regardless of what that means for our thinking and lifestyle. We are using a slippery escape when we distort the interpretation so that it fits our predispositions; we are not finding a slippery escape when we accept the text as it stands, regardless of its implications for life. Every honest interpreter can give countless examples of finding himself or herself to be simply wrong and in need of God’s grace as a result of reading the Bible with the purpose of hearing God’s word.” (The NIV Application Commentary: Galatians, p. 56)

This quote challenges us to approach Scripture with humility, ready to submit to its message even when it disrupts our assumptions. It reminds us that we must let God’s Word shape us rather than trying to shape Scripture to fit our preferences.

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Understanding the Historical Context

One way to approach the Bible with humility is to remember that it was written in a particular time and place in history. Understanding the Bible in its historical context is crucial for uncovering its true message. Each book of the Bible was written in a specific cultural, historical, and linguistic setting. Without considering these factors, we risk misinterpreting its meaning or projecting modern assumptions onto ancient texts.

For example, understanding the cultural practices and political tensions of first-century Judea can shed light on Jesus’ teachings, while exploring the legal codes of the Ancient Near East can provide deeper insights into the Old Testament laws. By studying the Bible with an awareness of its original context, we can better appreciate its timeless truths.

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Leaning on Trusted Scholars

Since the Bible was written in a particular place, time, and culture, we must have the humility to acknowledge that there are aspects of it we may not fully understand. Even with an excellent translation, thoughts, metaphors, and cultural nuances might go over our heads.

This is where scholars become a vital resource. Their expertise in ancient languages, culture, and history provides a fuller picture of what the Bible conveys. They help us grasp the ideas behind the words that English translations alone cannot always capture.

By learning from Biblical scholars, we gain a deeper understanding of Scripture and its application to our lives.

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Understanding Other Perspectives

Engaging with others who hold different interpretations is another valuable way to deepen our understanding of Scripture. Listening to perspectives that differ from our own challenges us to think critically and examine our beliefs. It helps us better understand why we believe what we believe.

Healthy dialogue can uncover nuances in the text we might overlook on our own. Such conversations foster unity and mutual growth, reminding us that we are all seeking to know God more fully. By approaching these discussions with humility and a willingness to learn, we grow together in faith.

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A Challenge for Christians

I want to offer you a challenge: approach the Bible with the singular goal of hearing God’s Word. Set aside your preconceived notions, your theological positions, and even your sense of certainty. Open your heart and mind to what God has to say.

How many times have we missed out on hearing God’s voice because we approached the Bible with the belief that we already had it all figured out? Humility is key. It means being willing to admit that we don’t have all the answers and that our interpretations may need correction.

But in exchange, we gain a deeper understanding of God and a closer relationship with Him. That, I believe, is a trade worth making.

Rethinking the Woman at the Well

John Eldredge in his book Beautiful Outlaw shares a common thought about the woman at the well, that she was “sexually loose.” 

But as you can see I crossed that out. 

Why? 

Because it probably isn’t true. Remember, this is a patriarchal culture where women have very little power. What that means is that it would have been suicide for her to be unfaithful so many times. Women did not have the power to initiate divorce, and to have no husband to provide for you would have been disastrous.

The more likely scenario is that her husbands have either died or divorced her, which left her very vulnerable. Because of this the town’s people see her as unlucky or maybe even cursed (think about Judah and Tamar in Genesis 38). 

Through our western eyes we read that she is shacking up with a guy, but again, that is probably isn’t the case, and even if it was, it was something she did out of survival rather than a sinful lifestyle. The phrase that Jesus used to describe her condition could mean hat she is the second wife, the lesser wife, in a relationship: he is not her man.

This also explains why she is at the well at noon time. Contrary to the way we have been taught to teach this encounter, women did not just come in the morning or evening to get water, but they came whenever they needed it. If she was the second wife, then it would have been her responsibility, and since she had no children to help her, she had to carry all the water the household needed herself. This meant multiple trips to the well each day. 

Rather than being a sinful woman, this woman is a woman doing her best to survive, a woman who experienced a lot of tragedy, and a woman viewed by many as cursed. 

Do we know any of this for sure? 

No, we don’t. The text just doesn’t give us that information. 

We do know, that she is not described as a sinful woman until the Reformation. We also know that the Eastern Orthodox Church venerated her as a saint with the name Photini, “Enlightened”, given to her when the apostles baptized her. The Eastern Orthodox Church also believe that she was a great evangelist who was martyred in 66AD. 

Again, we don’t know any of this for sure, which means we are left with what is more probable? What is more probable, given her time and culture, is that she was a woman who had a difficult life, and did the best she could in order to survive. And when she met Jesus, she told others about him.

The Chosen: Mocking God?

 

At Bethlehem we have been watching The Chosen on Wednesday evenings. Last night we finished season  3.

There is no doubt that the show is well done. It is able to grab and hold your attention, which is a must for any show or movie. The additional story lines they have added to it are compelling enough to keep, even us who are very familiar with the Gospels, engaged and wondering what will happen next.

I think the main benefit of The Chosen is that it helps people to engage their imaginations as they consider what it would have been like to have walked along side of Jesus. For instance, watching Jesus perform miracles has given me a greater sense of awe and wonder as I think about what those events would have been like then simply reading the text. In this way The Chosen enhances my reading of the Gospels.

On the flip side is the reality that the show is the interpretation and harmonization of the events recorded in the Gospels by  a small group of people, if not just one guy. There are certainly things about the show I would argue about. I think the sending out of the 12 on their mission work happened too early. I also think the disruption in the Decapolis is implausible, since it is in Gentile territory I am not sure the disciples would have gone there on their mission trip. Jesus’ return to Nazareth just seemed odd to me, like  having Lazarus grow up with Jesus (having Jesus declare that he is the Law of Moses was a good touch, even though that was one of the most controversial things heading into season 3).

To be honest, when it comes to The Chosen, I am rather indifferent about it. I have enjoyed watching it, but I don’t feel compelled to keep watching it either.

I know some people who are big fans of the show. Which I think is good because there needs to be support of well done media that is influenced by and supports Christian faith.

I also know that the show has its critics. For example this critique that I saw on Twitter.

What? The Chosen is mocking God?

The Chosen is a TV show, it is not a commentary on Scripture and it is not adding to Scripture. It is attempting to tell a story, helping people engage their imaginations (which is an under utilized tool in discipleship).  Hopefully, this will help them arrive at a greater appreciate of the text the next time they hear it or read it.

I am positive that if you asked Dallas Jenkins if he thought the Gospels were lacking or were in some way imperfect he would say no. He has a desire to tell the story of Jesus in a way that grabs people’s attention, and hopefully feel compelled to read the Bible to discover the whole story.

Here Mr. Jolly made assumptions about the thoughts and motivations behind the show. Rather than being charitable with his assessment, he assigned evil motivations to the people creating it. Because he has a high view of Scripture (notice he is holding a Bible in his profile picture), he felt the need to protect the integrity and sufficiency of the Bible.

Anyone who knows me knows that I love the Bible and that I totally believe that the Bible is the word of God that He wants His people to have. The Bible reveals God’s wisdom and will to us. Through the work of the Holy Spirit, it renews our minds and transforms our lives. 

This is what I believe, yet, every week as I prepare sermons and lessons I think about how to communicate this wonderful book to people in a way that captures their attention and helps them on their discipleship journey. This work requires using illustrations, metaphors, and analogies to help  make the text understandable and applicable to the lives of those listening.

When a preacher or teacher of the Bible uses an illustration, does that mean he or she is judging the Bible to be lacking or boring? 

Of course not! 

It does show that the preacher or teacher understands that the Bible was written for us but not to us. In other words, the Bible was written to people in a different time and in a different culture, and what would have been understandable to them is not necessarily understandable to us. Therefore we need to do the hard work to understand it and explain it. The work God has called a preacher or teacher to do is to explain His word to people in a way that is understandable to them.

I believe that is similar to what Dallas Jenkins is doing with The Chosen. 

Is he doing perfectly? 

No, but that doesn’t mean he isn’t helping people understand a little bit better what it might have been like to follow Jesus 2,000 years ago.

The Bible is a wonderful book and the story of Jesus is a beautiful story. 

These realities should motivate us to make it as understandable as we can, whether creating a show about the life of Jesus, teaching about the parables, or preaching about the resurrection. 

Asking for a Friend: How Much Influence Should the Bible Have on Morality?

Everyone has questions. Some questions we can find the answer with a quick search on Google. Other questions are more intimidating. Questions that surround our faith can be scary because we worry about what the answer might be and whether or not those answer will affect our faith. What ends up happening is that we ignore the question, but that question still lingers in the back of our mind.

In Asking for a Friend we want to look at a few of these questions and see if there is a way to provide an answer to them that will not only strengthen our faith, but also help us see the world through a more Christian perspective.

We are created in the image of God. One of the implications of that reality is that our standard for right and wrong comes from God and His character. To find out about God’s character we need to turn to the Bible, which is God’s revelation to His people. The Bible is essential in forming our morality to help us become the people God created us to be.

Text: Romans 2:13-16

Big Idea: The Bible shapes the beliefs and behaviors of God’s people as we influence the world.

Challenge: Read Ephesians 5:1-21 and (1) Confess sin (2) Think of a way to show love. 

Asking for a Friend: Can I Trust the Bible?

Everyone has questions. Some questions we can find the answer with a quick search on Google. Other questions are more intimidating. Questions that surround our faith can be scary because we worry about what the answer might be and whether or not those answer will affect our faith. What ends up happening is that we ignore the question, but that question still lingers in the back of our mind.

In Asking for a Friend we want to look at a few of these questions and see if there is a way to provide an answer to them that will not only strengthen our faith, but also help us see the world through a more Christian perspective.

In the first sermon we answer the question, “Can I Trust the Bible?” 

This is the foundational question that must be answered before looking at any of the other questions. As Christians we want our beliefs to be rooted in Scripture, and if we can’t trust what the Bible has to say then it will be impossible to have a Christian answer to the questions that we have.

Text: 2 Timothy 3:14-17

Big Idea: We can trust the Bible to give us the truth we need to live as God’s people.

Challenge: Study Philippians with me at www.paulsponderings.com