The Bible is inappropriate

So what if the Bible is seen as inappropriate in modern society?

Let me start with the good news because it feels so rare these days: We won this battle. The Government said it was inappropriate for the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) to deem parts of the Bible inappropriate in modern society.

Why was this raised to begin with? In our increasingly religiously intolerant society, Christophobia is not only accepted but expected. It would be considered racist or xenophobic to criticise a foreign religion, ironically because the liberal progressives have a patronisingly racist attitude toward anything un-British; there’s a novelty factor to ‘exotic’ religions. But to criticise Christianity is seen as the norm. This is why many politicians and public figures will race to be the first to wish the public a happy Eid or Diwali but are incredibly reticent about wishing anyone a Merry Christmas. The University of Brighton has issued a statement this week, telling lecturers to avoid the word Christmas.

Anything but Christmas

In the case against Christian preacher John Dunn, the CPS stated that the “Bible contains references ‘which are simply no longer appropriate in modern society and which would be deemed offensive if stated in public’”.

Whilst trying to convict Mr Dunn - before the case was rightly thrown out - the CPS claimed that parts of the Bible are ‘abusive’, in what is clearly an outright attack on the Christian faith by an instrument of the state.

Baroness Hoey posed a question to the Government this week, asking ‘what assessment they have made of the written statement by the Crown Prosecution that the “Bible contains references ‘which are simply no longer appropriate in modern society and which would be deemed offensive if stated in public’”. In response, Lord Steward replied, “The Wessex Area of the CPS has “undertaken a post-case review and acknowledges that the statement was inappropriate”, and Lord Stewart states that “[t]he statement was not intended to and does not represent a change to published CPS Policy. It is not indicative of a general approach by the CPS to cases involving the right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion, and the right to freedom of expression”. He states that “in future…in cases where there is scope for argument to arise as to rights such as that of freedom of expression, such arguments will be submitted to the Senior District Crown Prosecutor for signing off, prior to service”.

The CPS was out of line and out of order.

The Bible is offensive. It is the most scandalous story ever told. God sent his only begotten son to die for our sins so that we may have eternal life in him. It is the greatest love story of all time. It isn’t supposed to be an easy pill to swallow. It was never claimed the Bible is inoffensive or politically correct, nor should it be. In Matthew’s Gospel, Christ himself said, “Do not think that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I have not come to bring peace, but a sword.” Our Lord and Saviour came to shake things up, to bring in a new kingdom - his kingdom - and to denounce the old ways. There is no way to do that without causing some offence.

And so what? What is wrong with causing offence? We have become such a sensitive generation that we will do anything we can to avoid offending or taking offence. We have become risk-averse and afraid of confrontation.

Modern society needs the Bible now more than ever. We have lost our way. We no longer focus on important things like family, faith and freedom. Civil liberties are snatched away without a fight; abortions are at record highs, marriages at record lows; euthanasia is being suggested as a means to end temporary mortal suffering; heteronormative lifestyles are seen as a bad thing; heterodox, on the other hand, is seen as superior; pride is no longer a sin but a virtue; masculinity is described as toxic, making a generation of weak men who cannot protect their families or society; femininity is something to be favoured, even by men; children are being taken from their parents and handed to the state, both figuratively and literally. We are a lost society.

The only way to re-synchronise with our values and our way of life is to return to the source: the Word of God - the Bible.

The Crown Prosecution Service weren’t the first, and they certainly won’t be the last to find the Bible offensive. What are we going to do, continue to cow meekly in order to avoid causing offence? Or say, “so what?” and get on with the job at hand. We are called to disciple the nations. The Great Commission begins here, at home. It is the to pick up our swords - whether ESV, RSV or the Authorised Version - and read them aloud.

Every time a street preacher is arrested in this nation that purports to respect freedom of religion, perhaps two more of us should pick up our Bibles and stand in his/her place. If the Bible is inappropriate for modern society, it is modern society that is at fault. Perhaps it is time for a reminder of that?

“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.”