Uncensored: Daring To Embrace The Entire BibleSample

Am I Embarrassed by the Bible?

When it comes to the Bible, American evangelicalism is often like my travel guide. It presents a glowing presentation of the biblical text—highlighting well-loved favorites across radio waves and billboards—while leaving out those scriptural passages that might be offensive or embarrassing.

To be sure, the Bible contains many hard-to-swallow texts. Israelites stoned adulterers. Slaves were told to obey their masters. Jesus taught that sinners go to hell. At God’s command, His people killed both young and old, even animals. The Bible is brimming with passages that make many Christians blush, squirm, and cringe.

I’ve been there too.

Recently, as I flipped through the Psalms in my Bible, I noticed something disturbing. I had underlined and highlighted those passages that communicated God’s steadfast love, His gracious care, and the joyful praise of His people. At times, my red pen seemed to hum along in a triumphal ink-lettering until I hit “Oh that you would slay the wicked, O God” (Ps. 139:19).

That’s when it stopped. My pen did a hop, skip, and jump to “and lead me in the way everlasting” (v. 24). Looking through other portions of my Bible, I noticed the same trend. From Genesis to Malachi, Matthew to Revelation, it seemed as though I didn’t want to read the offensive and edgy. I didn’t want to ponder the scientific improbability of the sun standing still (Josh. 10:13) or why the man with crushed testicles wasn’t allowed to enter the assembly of worship (Deut. 23:1).

Am I embarrassed by the Bible?

If the Bible is truly inspired by God—as His self-revelation—and profitable for His people, then I should embrace the whole counsel of God for a healthy, balanced, and fruit-filled faith. When I censor the Scriptures and selectively choose which parts to meditate on, day and night, I fail to become that tree planted by streams of water, bearing fruit in its season (Ps. 1:1-3). I miss out on the life-altering and joy-infusing revelation of God, which is living and active (Heb. 4:12).