PASTOR’S CORNER, Tyler Prater, Fellowship Baptist Church, Liberal
We live in a world that’s always updating. New phones, new trends, new information. What’s in today is outdated tomorrow. So it’s fair to ask: Isn’t the Bible just another old book – important historically, maybe, but no longer relevant today?
After all, the Bible was written thousands of years ago by people in different cultures, languages, and circumstances. Its stories are ancient. Its characters lived before modern medicine, cars, the internet, and smartphones. So how could it possibly have something to say to us?
It’s a good question. But here’s the surprising truth: the Bible isn’t just a book about the past—it’s a book that understands the present better than we do. Think about it. People today still wrestle with the same core issues: Who am I? Why do I feel empty even when life is good? Why is the world so broken? Why do I do things I know I shouldn’t? What happens when I die?
The Bible doesn’t avoid those questions—it addresses them head-on. It tells us that we were created by a good God, in His image, for a relationship with Him. It explains how sin entered the world and fractured everything, including our hearts. And it tells the story of how God has been working to redeem what was lost, culminating in Jesus Christ—God in the flesh—who came not just to teach us, but to save us.
And this message isn’t just meaningful—it’s trustworthy. The Bible has been copied, preserved, and translated with more accuracy than any other ancient text in history. Archaeology continues to confirm its historical details. And far from being the product of human invention, it claims—and proves—to be the very Word of God. Scripture bears the weight of divine authority, not because people gave it that status, but because God spoke through human authors, preserving His truth without error. So when we open the Bible, we’re not just reading words—we’re hearing from God Himself.
But maybe you’re not asking if the Bible speaks to big questions. Maybe you’re wondering whether it says anything helpful for everyday life—marriage, parenting, decision-making, anxiety, conflict. The answer is yes. Scripture is deeply practical because it speaks to the condition of the human heart. It teaches wisdom. It exposes motives. It reminds us of what’s true when our emotions lie to us.
In fact, Paul says in 2 Timothy 3:16–17 that “all Scripture is breathed out by God and is profitable”—not just for learning doctrine, but for training us in righteousness so we can live the way God designed us to live. That’s not outdated. That’s life-giving.
Of course, not everyone sees it that way. Some are skeptical of the Bible’s authority. Others are turned off by how it’s been misused. And sadly, some have experienced people quoting Scripture with harshness or hypocrisy. But don’t let the misuse of the Bible keep you from its true message. Just because a tool is misused doesn’t mean the tool itself is bad.
The Bible isn’t a rulebook to keep people in line. It’s a rescue story. At the center of it is a Savior who knows your name, who died for your sin, and who invites you into a relationship that no amount of time can ever make irrelevant.
So is the Bible still relevant? Absolutely. More than we realize. The better question might be: Are we willing to listen?
