On Basic Bible-Based Belief

Scripture: But Abraham said, "The Scriptures have warned them again and again. Your brothers can read them any time they want to." The rich man replied, "No, Father Abraham, they won’t bother to read them. But if someone is sent to them from the dead, then they will turn from their sins." But Abraham said, "If they won’t listen to Moses and the prophets, they won’t listen even though someone rises from the dead." Luke 16:29-31

Observation: The rich man in hell is asking Abraham that someone go and warn his family of that fate of those who fail to obey the Lord. Abraham's answer is straightforward ... everyone has already been warned! The warnings, guidance, instructions, and hope is already available to everyone in the form of the scriptures. If people won't obey the scriptures, there is little hope they would obey any other form of warning, even someone coming to them from the dead.

Application: In telling this parable, Jesus does make a direct statement about believing the sign of a person who rises from the dead, specifically that many won't believe in Jesus when he does just this, just as they haven't believed the prophecies about him. However, there is also a truth about current life and our society.

Our society has the bible available to them, with all its instructions, advice, hope, and warnings. Many won't read it, and many have false ideas about what the bible actually says. As a result, they don't believe the good news of Jesus as it stands in its written form, and thus can't have a personal encounter with the risen Christ.

How can I reach others with the good news in the bible? This is the challenge ... for anyone to find a path toward belief, there must ultimately be some basic belief in the truth of the bible. I feel that, perhaps, this belief could be in any basic truth in the bible. Yes, Jesus as the son of God is a great one, and the existence of God the loving creator is a great one. Other starting points may be ... belief in the historical facts of the patriarchs, interest in the kingship of David, wonder of the resurrection of Jesus, awareness in the facts of Jesus' birth, hope in general promised love and salvation, agreement in instructions about mercy to the poor, logical thought about living with hope.

Several of these actively resonate in the hearts of people today. Can we show these elements to others, not in our own words, but in the bible itself? Can these topics be a starting point for reading the bible? The rich man's brothers wouldn't "bother to read" the scriptures, but can we help others bother to read the bible, in addition to telling them about someone who rose from the dead?

Prayer: Lord, there is truth in the parable of Jesus, that warnings about salvation will be wasted on people so cynical about you that they reject the bible. Please guide your Church, and me, in how we may find ways to overcome that rejection of your word and start others toward faith. Amen.