The Bible is not just another Paperback

Evidently, it is.  A California pastor was outraged this week when he found the Bible filed under “Fiction” at a Costco store near his home. Just another paper back? Forty years ago, in the book, “As One without Authority,” author Fred Craddock asked the question, “Where have all the absolutes gone?” If then, how much more today!

When Jesus spoke to the crowds, they were astonished that He taught as “one who had authority” (Matt. 7:28-29). Biblical authority has been at issue since Paul warned of those who would reject sound doctrine (2 Tim 4:3). Two thousand years later, the spirit of the age is still trying to undermine the authority of the Word. 

I don’t presume to know what is happening in the church around the world today. But looking at the popular teaching of the largest churches in America, one would conclude that the masses want to hear more sermons on self-improvement and self-actualization than good exegesis and exposition. Perhaps the paper back Bibles found in the “Fiction” section at Costco really are a sign of the times!