People approach the Bible in so many ways- and all are with a BIAS! I know, I know, you’re completely objective, and if so, you’re the only one my friend. Seriously, we all read the Bible with filters that carry labels such as: denominations, parents, teachers, and culture to name a few. But, even more fundamental that all of those is the fact that the very READING of the words on the paper, we’re interpreting what we’re reading. But, I want to share with you four views that a spiritual mentor of mine (long deceased) came to. His name- John. A. T. Robinson.
John breaks people down into these four categories.
1-Cynicism Of The Foolish
>Fools step in where angels fear to tread! Having said that, in this category we find some of the most intelligent minds (relating only to IQ). Their approach to the Bible is completely negatived, looking for reasons to NOT believe or reasons to reject anything and all things; being overly critical. They throw the baby out with the dishwater. Show me an error and that’s tantamount to rejecting it all. Wonder how life would be if we applied such a mindset to our children?
2-Fundamentalism Of The Fearful
>Here is where we find the far right in Christian evangelism. They have adopted a rigid and un-flexible literal approach to the Bible and one has to conform to their predispositions or there’s no agreement. It’s their way or the highway. Inquiries are not welcome because it mind lead one into error. And only the “select” know the truth anyway and they just happen to be them!
3-Skepticism Of The Wise
>This group is more open and show a genuine devotion to the Word. They take Biblical criticism to a degree that by-passes any degree of faith. They do show a propensity to suspend judgment until they’ve researched something thoroughly, but the research is often times more sacred than that which is being researched.
4-Conservatism Of The Committed
>They combine scholarship with a courage that allows them to accept what a combination of Spirit and fact-finding shows. While they are conservative, they are not fundamentalists. They are open to inquiry and in fact invite it, and don’t quickly shut the door if where the trails leads they’ve never gone before. A rarity among Christianity today, indeed.
Robinson wrote a boom on all this to which I’ve given but a thumbnail view.
The title of the book?
Can We Trust The New Testament?
Immediately red flags go up on such a question which gives you a clue as to which of the four categories above you fit in. If you are in the last one, as Robinson is, you ask a question of the question, such as Robinson’s first question, which is, “Trust it to do what?”.
Now we can have a conversation can’t we 
It’s like the concept of salvation? Saved from what exactly?
Do you want quick, non-discussion fundamentalist, packaged answers? Or do you want to jump head first into the spiritual waters and experience swimming?
What say you?
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