Says It, Believes It, Settles It

“The Bible says it, I believe it, and that settles it” is a really stupid mantra for a Christian. If the Word of God is verifiable and true, then we should be able to study and investigate those truths in order to ‘see why they are true’, ‘see why we believe them’, ‘have those beliefs strengthened’, and ‘defend and share our faith in those beliefs’.

Most of the time, people who don’t take the time to study God’s Word and investigate its truths have no foundations to base their life in Christ on, and will either be tossed to and fro by destructive teaching and heresies, or will have little to no influence in sharing their life in Christ with others.

The whole idea of ‘it says it, I believe it, and that settles it’ is really an idea that has led to the strength of such cults as Mormonism and the Jehovah’s Witness Church. Their adherents are taught not to question their faith, and often times, when questioned by others, will stick some of their “elders” or someone who has been indoctrinated more than them on the one asking the questions . They are also trained to answer such skeptical questions from outsiders with key Bible verses taken out of context or with rehearsed answers.

So when someone from the outside of these cults confronts them with solid Biblical and practical opposition to their strong-held beliefs, they just shut-out what is being said because to them, the basis of their beliefs (their founder’s Bible interpretation or false prophecy) is built upon the presupposition that they are inherently true despite the illumination that diligent and further study or reasoning may shine on them. This is why it is so hard to “convert” Mormons, Jehovah’s Witnesses, and even Muslims to true freedom in Christ apart from religion.

The beauty of faith in Christ is that questions are welcomed because questions strengthen faith. And if the Word of God is true, we have nothing to fear in asking questions, for only more Truth will be revealed. And we can use this Truth to spread the hope of Christ to those without it. We can share with them good reason for the faith we put in Christ. While, again, a “the Bible says it, I believe it, and that settles it” approach only breeds naivety, stupidity, and ineffectiveness.

And without teaching our children the complexities, basis, and validity of our faith, they, having no true foundation to grow on, will most likely walk away as teenagers or young adults. The world gives all sorts of reason to believe in whatever it’s “selling” and if we don’t, they will gravitate away from what we are “selling”. If we don’t encourage our children to ask tough questions and welcome them when they ask, we will only be aiding the “it says it, I believe it, and that settles it” philosophy.

As Mark Driscoll says, “One generation believes the Gospel, the next generation assumes it (the Bible says it, I believe it, and that settles it), and the next generation forgets it (if it is not thoroughly investigated by Christians of every generation)”.

2 Responsesto “Says It, Believes It, Settles It”

1. Pete says:

   August 27, 2010 at 10:11 am

   This has sparked an idea for me to teach my college/career class. Thanks!
2. ladina says:

   August 27, 2010 at 11:21 am

   This is good. If we don’t allow questions we will lose the youth of this generation. They want something real and it is going to take more than say it, believes it, settles it mentality. This post is causing me to rethink my approach s a youth pastor. Thanks