(Excerpt from my book Authority)

Scripture was never intended to be the subject purely of theological argument or critical analysis, preserved in the formalin of religion, and dissected like a laboratory rat.

No! Its purpose is to change lives by revealing the story and fellowship of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, and inviting us to belong. It will do that only to the extent that we submit to its authority. We can argue about its authority all we like, but will perish in hell with ‘I told you so’ trembling on our lips.

And once we yield, our wills and hearts become his, and all the trillion facets of Scripture’s beauty and power fashion our lives into people of the kingdom, the bride of Christ. It is this inherent ability to transform every man, woman or child, independent of culture, tribe or nation, that reveals the true nature of the authority of the Bible.

And again, we see the grace of God! This perfect light, broken into ten billion streams of colour by the prism of our imperfections, produces for us a rainbow, the sign of his covenant of life. These colours, separated, will never agree, though each has a truth and beauty of its own. But joined together again in Christ, become once more the pure white light of his glory.

The authority of Scripture? Just accept it.

If you, the reader, doubt me, I challenge you if you haven’t already, to submit your will to the lordship of Jesus Christ, and willingly accept the Bible as the word of God, applying it to your own life. And see if it doesn’t bring a radical change in you personally. If it does not, I have written—and believed—in vain.