Josiah is a junior in economics.
On Oct. 22, Associate Features Editor Taylor Quinn published a column, “The Red Sea isn’t parted yet.” In her column, she wrote about the recent synod of bishops that Pope Francis called for regarding issues of the family. Specifically, she wrote about the issue of acceptance of homosexuals in Catholic Church, which the synod discussed. Although this is indeed a topic of great importance and necessary discussion, Quinn made a number of statements and claims that were bold, unfounded and likely offensive to many people of the Christian faith.
For those unfamiliar with the term, a synod is a formal assembly of clergy members who deliberate on various topics and doctrines.
Toward the beginning of the column, Quinn rhetorically asks, “Who cares what some Bible verse says?” In answer to Quinn, I would say more than 2.1 billion people do. In 2010, 2.18 billion Christians occupied the world, according to the Pew Research Forum on Religion & Public Life.
Quinn goes on, stating that the Bible is a “book that is worshipped by millions.” This is both a bold and unfounded claim. Christians do not worship the Bible itself—to us that would be considered idolatrous. Rather, we worship the loving God we believe to have inspired those writings. Because Christians believe the Bible to be an inspired collection of writings, it will have a profound effect on the way those many people of the Christian faith view issues of morality, politics and their place in the world.
Additionally, Quinn stated, “The Bible was written thousands of years ago and translated so many times that nobody truly knows what messages it is trying to convey.” This is a bold and extremely subjective claim. True, disagreements within Christian churches about secondary doctrinal issues are indeed widespread. Although these disagreements are too often the center of attention, it is of immense importance to note that the vast and overwhelming majority of Christian denominations and churches agree on the fundamental messages of the Bible. These core messages include doctrines like the Deity of Jesus Christ, His death and resurrection and salvation by grace.
So, though there are disagreements about many secondary doctrinal issues concerning the Bible in the Christian faith, that by no means justifies dismissal of the Bible’s relevance as a religious text.
Finally, while there are important conversations occurring within Christianity over the issue of homosexual acceptance, it is highly unproductive to those conversations to attempt to simply dismiss the Bible and the undeniable relevance it still holds for billions of people worldwide today.