The Bible is not a ___ textbook

As I was reading through a book recently, I ran across a familiar argument, but applied to a different topic or context. I searched online and found the same claim, “The Bible is not an economics textbook.” I’ve seen this claim before, but mostly applied to science and the creation-evolution controversy.

When applied to science, the arguments usually cover some basic thoughts such as,

• no, but wherever the Bible touches on science or history it is trustworthy
• no, I’m glad, because science textbooks get out of date and have to be changed

There is usually a good demonstration of how the Bible is accurate, how science has had to change and contradict previous claims of truth. There are good, solid organizations dedicated to upholding the Bible such as www.answersingenesis.org, www.creation.com, www.icr.org, and www.biblearchaeology.org.

When I saw the same question applied to a different area than science, it got me to thinking to a broader application. Let’s take a new look at it, how would you define a textbook? Here are a few found online:

1. a book used for instructional purposes, especially in schools and colleges
2. A book used in schools or colleges for the formal study of a subject
3. A manual of instruction or a standard book in any branch of study. They are produced according to the demand of educational institutions

If we look at those definitions, we could say that the Bible is a textbook, as 2 Timothy 3:16-17 says, “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of /God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.”

Let me offer up another definition, in terms of contrasting between the Bible and a textbook on science or economics. A textbook is a collection of human knowledge, used to organize and teach others about a subject.

The Bible claims to be much more than that, in 2 Peter 1:16-21 we read, “we have the word of the prophets made more certain” and “prophecy never had its origin in the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.” In both scriptures we see that the Bible is not from man, but from God. We have the owner’s manual, from the Creator himself, not just something from men who did not create it but seek to explain it from a black-box perspective.

Do we think God can tell us reliably about himself and religion, and not tell us reliably about ourselves and His other creations, which He rules and sustains?

When others scoff, “The Bible is not an economics textbook” or any other area of study, we can answer them by saying, “thankfully not, it provides a more reliable source as a foundation for all of our knowledge.

-Proverbs 1:7, “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and discipline.