Is the Bible Enough?

This is an email that I sent a good friend, Darin, about four years ago. I just came across it and decided to post it here. It was in response to accusations that Mormons don't believe in the Bible like Christians do.

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Darin,

You asked if I can point out any flaws in the Bible. I might ask you which version of the Bible you want me to use. You seem to think that the King James Version is not the best translation, which would lead me to assume that the King James version is flawed, and possibly every version has its mistakes. So I guess the point is, we are talking about substantial flaws, right? In other words, we're not talking about spelling or grammar errors, and we're not even talking about little inconsistencies that don't really matter. It only takes a quick internet search, "Bible inconsistencies," to find a lot of pathetic reasons why the Bible is flawed. Some of them are being completely misinterpreted by whoever wrote them, and others do point out a little bit of inconsistency (like the way different events are told in the different gospels) but they don't really have any important consequences on the meaning of the Bible. I'm assuming we're not talking about anything silly like this. I will try for a moment to point out a few things that I think are doctrinally confusing in the Bible.


FAITH VS. WORKS:

James 2:17: Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being along.
James 2:24: Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only.

It seems that a heavy emphasis is put on the necessity of works in the chapter.

Romans 3:27-28: Where is boasting then? It is excluded. By what law? of works? Nay: but by the law of faith. Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law.

My actual belief on the subject: No people can quality themselves for the heaven on their own. It is not within our power for two reasons: we have all come short of perfection by sinning; we are each mortal and will die. Only the grace and power of Jesus Christ can save us. To receive of this grace we must have the necessary faith and do the necessary works that he requires of us.


I have a few more things, but first I want to make a quick important comment. The main point I want to make in the email doesn't have to do with the Bible being flawed. Yes I think that some flaws have been introduced into the Bible, most likely by ill-intended and corrupt clergy members of the early church. But the Bible doesn't need to be flawed for my beliefs to be valid. Even if the Bible were perfect (in the sense of being unchanged from its original authors who were instructed by God), it's still not enough. Even all the scriptures that I believe in, the Bible, Book of Mormon, Pearl of Great Price, and Doctrine and Covenants, are all together not enough. Joseph Smith and Brigham Young both taught this. The church on the Earth will go astray unless there is a "living oracle" (prophet of God, like Moses, Samuel, Isaiah, and Peter) upon it to lead the church. Yes, if the Bible is all that you have it is certainly wonderful and immensely valuable. It leads many to God. But the beliefs of the people in general will become flawed without a "living oracle." I totally believe this has happened.

Now I will tell you a couple more things I don't think are clear in the Bible. I won't bother to find any counter-examples. I will only mention some scriptures that I think support my beliefs, which you think are wrong. You can supply the counter-scripture if you want.


NATURE OF GOD:

God of the Old Testament has a body:
Genesis 1:27: God created man in his own image.
Exodus 33:11 And the Lord spake unto Moses face to face, as a man speaketh unto his friend.
(Also many other references to God's feet, finger, voice, mouth, etc.)

Jesus Christ has a body after resurrection:
Luke 24:39: Behold my hands and my feet, that it is I myself: handle me, and see; for a spirit hath not flesh and bones, as ye see me have.

Heavenly Father and Jesus are separate beings:
Matthew 3:17: And lo a voice from heaven, saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.
Acts 7:55-56: But he, being full of the Holy Ghost, looked up stedfastly into heaven, and saw the glory of God and Jesus standing on the right hand of God. And said, Behold, I see the heavens opened, and the Son of man standing on the right hand of God.


BAPTISM:

Matthew 3:15: And Jesus answering said unto him, Suffer it to be so now: for thus it becometh us to fulfil all righteousness. Then he suffered him.
Matthew 28:19: Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Hold Ghost.

My personal belief: Baptism is an essential work and was an important part of the apostle's mission after Christ's resurrection.


Darin, I could come up with more references and many more points of doctrine that I believe the Bible teaches but that you don't believe. I think you'll notice that the Mormon Church does not generally claim sections of the Bible to be wrong. We treat it all as sacred and try, as you do, to make the most sense of it (except for example Songs of Solomon, which we don't think has much spiritual value, but somehow found its way into the Bible). On the other hand, I don't think it's fair for you to say that Christians believe the Bible doesn't have flaws. There are all kinds of Christians you know. Many don't believe all of the words of Paul, or other specific parts of the Bible. I read the book of James recently and found many teachings that I believe but many Christians don't believe, and then I was reminded that some Christians don't believe the book of James is 100% accurate. I think the Mormon Church is comparatively pretty strict about its belief in the Bible; even though we do think there are potential flaws (mostly omitted parts), we don't go discrediting parts of it.

However, the Bible is left to interpretations. I can't convince myself that everyone in other churches are just stupid, or that every Mormon is stupid or closed-minded. Yet every church has different beliefs. Why do the Seventh-Day Adventists feel so strongly about going to church on Saturday? Are they not Christian? Most denominations have a few strong beliefs that are at opposition with other denominations. My point is, the Bible is not enough to keep the world doctrinally straight, and it is very important to correctly understand things like the nature of God, and the way to live this life.

Even in translation there is interpretation. Trust me, I've had to translate things before between Japanese and English, and it is impossible to do without incorporating your own interpretation into the meaning. That's just the nature of languages. They are not completely unambiguous. I would love to learn Greek and Hebrew, and read the Bible in those languages (I had a roommate who did), but until then I've stick with English and trust those who translate.

Well anyway, I hope this was interesting to you. It took me forever to write. I'm attaching to this email a paper that I wrote three years ago about the Bible. I would probably have changed a few things if I wrote it now, but it's still pretty good. So if you're ready for another long read, please go ahead.

Take care,
Paul





-----Original Message-----


Hey buddy! Thanks, and we're finally moved into our
first house! It's pretty kewl. Kinda nice, and suits
us well. I will have to send you before and afer
pictures. We replaced the flooring, sinks, walls
(repaired), and installed things that weren't there.
Learning on the curve! And yeah that should come in
handy, especially because we might try and rent this
house out when we move in maybe five years or so. Got
a lot of equity already, so that's nice! Having
assets is a good thing! Not just liabilities.

Yes I agree with paying mortgage over rent any day!
Writing off the interest is awesome.

We will visit I'm sure. That will be fun!

We believe Jesus finished His work for being on the
earth. We don't believe everything is I guess
complete, until like the book Revelation tells us,
that the earth will be made the new Jerusalem, and
there will be no more sun, etc...that's interesting
huh, no sun? So I guess not EVERYTHING was finished,
but His purpose in coming, completely (fulfilled).
It's weird thinking God already knows who is saved and
who is not, because he totally does not exist in time.
That always messes with me. Can I ask a question?
I'm assuming you wil say yes...! Can you point out
any flaws in the bible? I want to learn more about
why people say it is not completely sufficient in what
we need today, because we (Christians) believe it is.

Talk to ya soon,

Darin