Dear Editor,

“The Bible is an ancient text that has no relevance in the 21st century.” How many times have we heard that statement from wise, learned, enlightened men and women seeking to undermine the authority and relevance of God’s Word in today’s world? The statement is only partially true.

I will concede the Bible is an ancient text, as it was written thousands of years ago, but does its age render it irrelevant? My answer is a resounding no! The Bible‘s relevance is assured as long as human nature remains constant.

Mankind has made countless technological, scientific, economic, social and political advances, knowledge has increased exponentially, but there has been no change to man’s innate nature.

God’s word addresses man’s nature, his innate tendencies to rebel against his maker, and the loving merciful and gracious actions to bring him into alignment with God’s plans.

The apostle Paul, writing to the church in Galatia (Galatians 5: 19-21), describes the actions of man’s sinful nature as “sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like”.

Man’s heart is described in Jeremiah 17:9 as being “deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked”.

We can all agree the description of man’s nature is as applicable to us today as when the words were first written and spoken.

Man’s nature, man’s heart has not changed. If we are honest, we will admit to having thought about, if not committed some of the things outlined above.

Many times it is only our exposure to God’s Word and its transformative power that keeps us in check and prevents us translating our most vile thoughts into actions.

Obedience to God’s Word stops man from being consumed by his base instincts. Without the Bible there would be little restraint on man’s natural sinful tendencies.

Some of us are disturbed by some of the events recorded in the Old Testament and it is incumbent on the Church to teach more on this section of the Bible to facilitate our understanding of those events.

It is, however, extremely difficult, if not impossible, to find fault with the teachings of Jesus, the Christ, and His disciples in the New Testament.

I challenge any person to read the Bible with an open mind and come to any other conclusion that adherence to its principles, precepts and commandments will make us better persons and the world a better place.

Wayne Plummer

Greater Portmore

St Catherine

wayne.r.plummer@gmail.com