November 28, 2025
Is the Bible reliable?
Joshua Tufte
What We Believe About the Bible at Passion Church
If you’ve ever wondered what Passion Church believes about the Bible, let me put it simply:
We believe the Bible is God’s Word — not just ancient text, but God revealing Himself, His heart, and His will to us. That may sound like a big statement, but it’s one the Bible makes about itself over and over again. Where You Find Your Truth Shapes Your Life. Here’s something I’ve learned as a pastor and as a follower of Jesus: If you don’t choose your source of truth, culture will gladly choose it for you.
And culture is a shaky place to build a life. If you haven't noticed, our country's idea of truth, if it exists, morals, and beyond are, well, perhaps the best way I can describe them is on fire. The news decides which side of what story to publish, and social media is a melting pot of good intentions, fake posts, and angry people yelling at each other. Very few people know where to turn for real information, and everyone seems angry about something. America is leaning further into a toxic and violent mindset than many of us want to admit, and all this is fueled by the idea that Truth, if it exists, is fluid; it changes based on our situation, culture, and who we are. If I'm privileged in one way or another, then my truth changes from those who are starting a few steps behind, because I can mean that it's right for me.
The “truth” of culture changes: Every decade, every election cycle, every new social justice movement, every time the internet decides something is “problematic.” It’s exhausting — because it’s unstable.
But God doesn’t change.
His character doesn’t shift with the polls.
His Word doesn’t fade like trends.
The Bible gives us clarity that doesn’t move — because God Himself doesn’t move.
In Scripture, God reveals: Who He is, how He saves us, and who He created us to be. This is why Christians have anchored their lives to the Bible for centuries. There is peace that comes from knowing that what you base your life on does not change. It's a foundation that doesn't shift and brings incredible peace through life's battles.
The Bible Isn’t Just a Book — It’s God Speaking (Through History)
When we talk about Scripture being “God’s Word,” we’re not using a religious slogan. One of the greatest pieces of evidence that the Bible is divine is the sheer scope of its creation:
Around 40 different human authors
Written across multiple kingdoms and empires — Israel, Judah, Babylon, Persia, Rome
Spanning roughly 1,500 years
Written in three languages — Hebrew, Aramaic, and Greek
Authors from every walk of life — kings, shepherds, generals, prophets, fishermen, tax collectors, a doctor
And yet, somehow, through all of that diversity…
The Bible tells one unified story about one God pursuing one humanity with one plan of redemption.
To see the sweep of God’s revelation:
Moses wrote the first five books around 1400 BC, likely while leading Israel through the wilderness.
David wrote Psalms around 1000 BC — worship, pain, repentance, and raw honesty.
Isaiah prophesied in the 700s BC, speaking clearly about the coming Messiah long before Jesus arrived.
Daniel wrote from Babylonian captivity, faithfully serving foreign kings while staying true to God.
Matthew, once a tax collector, wrote his Gospel in the first century AD to show that Jesus fulfilled Old Testament prophecies.
Luke, a physician and historian, wrote Luke and Acts around 60 AD, giving orderly accounts of Jesus and the early church.
John, one of Jesus’ closest friends, wrote his Gospel and Revelation near the end of the first century AD.
Different centuries.
Different nations.
Different languages.
Different backgrounds.
Same God.
Same message.
Same story unfolding.
That unity is not humanly manufactured.
This isn’t just a book. It’s God revealing Himself through history, through people, and through the Holy Spirit — so every generation can know Him.
The Bible Includes Tough Subjects — And That’s a Good Thing
Let’s be real:
The Bible doesn’t skip the hard stuff.
It talks openly about: sin, sexuality, justice, forgiveness, repentance, sacrifice, heaven and hell, and the parts of life we’d rather avoid. Sometimes we will hold beliefs that our culture doesn’t like. And that’s okay. We don’t follow Jesus because He fits neatly into cultural expectations. We follow Him because He is truth.
But here’s the key: Truth is best delivered through relationships, not arguments.
Jesus walked with people, listened to them, knew their stories—and then spoke the truth. We’re called to do the same. The Bible Is True, Clear, and Reliable Scripture doesn’t just contain truth — it is truth.
Psalm 119 says: “Your word is a lamp to my feet…” “All your words are true.” “The sum of your word is truth.”
God’s Word is steady when the world shakes.
One way to picture the Bible is a lot like Google Maps. It doesn’t just give us random information — it shows us the route God has laid out so we can reach the destination He intends for us. It guides, directs, corrects, and gives purpose. And it doesn’t let us down. But here’s what happens: People hit a confusing passage — something culturally distant, linguistically different, or hard to understand — and they turn away. They assume the Bible is outdated or irrelevant. Or they decide to look elsewhere for truth. But confusion doesn’t mean Scripture is unclear. It means we’re invited to learn.
The Bible was written in: a different time, different cultures, with ancient idioms and references, in languages most of us don’t speak. That doesn’t make Scripture less true — it means we need to study, research, and dig deeper. When we do, God’s message becomes even more powerful and relevant.
The Bible Is No Longer America’s Default Standard of Truth
We have to be honest about the cultural moment we’re in. For many people today, “The Bible says…” doesn’t carry much weight. Some see it as irrelevant. Others see it as offensive. Some walk away the moment Scripture is mentioned. That means we must rethink how we share truth — not whether we share it.
Build relationships before sharing hard truths.
Let people see Jesus in how you live long before they hear Him in what you say.
Truth carried on the back of love reaches places arguments never can.
Build a Relationship With God by Reading His Word
The Bible is how we get to know God — not the filtered, Instagram version of Him, but the real, living God.
And just like any relationship, the more time you spend with Him, the more clearly you understand Him.
Think about a close friend or spouse.
After years of walking together, you finish each other’s sentences, you can predict their reactions, you know their heart. Why? Because you’ve spent consistent time together.
Imagine knowing God like that.
Imagine understanding His heart so deeply that you can sense what He wants, recognize His voice, and confidently interpret Scripture because you’ve grown familiar with Him.
Imagine what that would do to your life — and to the lives of your family, your friends, and everyone you influence.
Reading Scripture builds that kind of relationship.
The more you know God’s Word, the more you understand: who He is, what He wants, how He speaks, and how to interpret other verses biblically and accurately. So don’t stop when you hit something confusing, lean in.
Ask mentors, Study, Research, join groups, explore commentaries, and pray for insight.
God reveals Himself richly to those who keep seeking.
Don’t Just Take My Word for It — Explore It Yourself
The passages below talk directly about the Bible itself —
what it is, what it does, and why it matters:
Psalm 12
Psalm 105
Psalm 119
Psalm 160
Proverbs 30
Matthew 22:37–40
1 Timothy 1:13
2 Timothy 3:16
2 Peter 1:20–21
Read them this week.
Ask the Holy Spirit to speak.
Let the Word shape you.
And if you haven’t already, download the YouVersion Bible App.
Start a simple devotional — even 5 minutes a day creates space for God to speak and helps you build a steady habit of reading.
Also, don’t underestimate the value of trusted, mature Christians.
A mentor, a Bible study group, or a seasoned believer who has walked with Jesus for decades is priceless. Their wisdom can help you interpret Scripture, understand context, and stay grounded.
There are also excellent books that provide strong historical, archaeological, and logical evidence for the reliability of Scripture and the truth of Jesus. Here are five solid and accessible books I recommend:
Recommended Books on the Reliability of the Bible & the Evidence for Jesus
More Than a Carpenter — Josh & Sean McDowell
Evidence That Demands a Verdict — Josh & Sean McDowell
The Case for Christ — Lee Strobel
Cold-Case Christianity — J. Warner Wallace
The Case for the Resurrection of Jesus — Gary Habermas & Michael Licona
These resources will help strengthen your faith, deepen your understanding, and give you confidence that Scripture really is what it claims to be: God’s Word.
Final Thoughts
We believe the Bible is God’s Word.
Steady.
True.
Loving.
Life-giving.
Eternal.
We don’t worship the Book — we worship the God who speaks through it.
Let’s be a church that doesn’t just read the Bible…
but builds our lives on it.
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Passion Family, Over the last few weeks in The Playbook series, we haven’t just been talking about vision — we’ve been talking about formation . About who God is shaping us to be as His people in this season. At Passion Church, we believe the Kingdom of God moves forward through partnership, not pressure. Through people who say, “God, You can count on me.” That’s why we’re stepping into Commitment Sunday and a Month of Partnership together. Below you’ll find links to our website with more information about Commitment Sunday, what it means to partner with Passion Church, how to get involved, and a deeper look at Project OIKOS. Please take time to read through this and follow the links. We are prayerfully inviting our church family to seek what God is calling them to do. Our next steps are significant, and this is where you can begin partnering with us. What does it mean to partner with Passion Church? On Commitment Sunday, we’re inviting our church family to prayerfully step into four commitments — not as boxes to check, but as a way of life: GROW Choosing to go deeper in your walk with Jesus — being rooted in Him, authentic before Him, and intentional about spiritual growth. SERVE Using your gifts to love people well — stepping into compassion, meeting real needs, and helping carry the mission of the church forward. GIVE Living generously — not out of guilt or obligation, but as an act of worship and a reflection of God’s heart in a broken and divided world. ATTEND Showing up consistently — building your life around worship, community, and the work God is doing through this house. This isn’t about perfection. It’s about faithfulness . It’s about alignment. It’s about saying yes to what God is doing here. A Word to Those Already Partnered With Passion Church If you are already partnered with Passion Church, I want to say thank you . Your faithfulness, generosity, and willingness to show up have helped shape this church into what it is today. Because of your commitment, lives are being changed and the Kingdom of God is moving forward through this house. During this season, we’re inviting our existing partners to renew their partnerships —not because anything was lacking, but because God is leading us into a new chapter. Renewal is a way of saying, “God, I’m still in. I’m still aligned. And I’m ready for what You’re doing next.” This season is an opportunity to recommit with fresh faith, fresh vision, and a renewed sense of purpose as we move boldly into the future together. Commitment Sunday & the Month of Partnership Commitment Sunday is the starting point — and our largest moment — where we commit together as a church family. Through this Sunday, it will not only unite us in purpose but also allow leadership, myself, staff members, the advisors, and our external oversight team (Elders) to gauge where we are in the process of launching our new campus, both with volunteers and finances. It launches a full Month of Partnership throughout February, giving everyone the opportunity to take their next step in partnership with Passion Church. Beginning February 1 and continuing through the end of the month : Partnership and commitment forms will be available at the Connection Desk each Sunday Online commitment forms will remain open on our website Upfront gifts for Project OIKOS can be given at any time Long-term giving commitments can be submitted throughout the month While Commitment Sunday is our primary push — the moment we believe God will unite us most powerfully — we also want to create space for those who are traveling, sick, new to Passion Church, or simply need more time to pray. Our prayer is that this month will align our hearts, unify our faith, and allow us to move boldly into our next season together . Learn More About Partnership Here Project OIKOS Out of this posture of partnership, we are stepping into Project OIKOS. OIKOS is a biblical word meaning household, family, and those entrusted to our care. Project OIKOS is about building a spiritual home — a place where people can belong, grow, heal, and encounter Jesus for generations to come. Our overall goal is to raise $285,000 over the next 24 months . As part of that, we are prayerfully asking God to provide $120,000 in upfront gifts by the end of April , leaving $165,000 to be fulfilled through long-term giving commitments over the remaining 24 months. I want to say this clearly and pastorally: Project OIKOS is not about money first. It’s about mission. It’s about stewardship. It’s about obedience. Giving is simply one way we participate in what God is doing — alongside growing, serving, and showing up. Learn More About Project OIKOS Here How to Make a Commitment If you’re able to be with us in person on Commitment Sunday, we would love for you to participate together as a church family. If you can’t be there in person, you can still partner with us. Our Commitment Sunday page on the website will be live starting today, and you’ll be able to submit your commitment online. Additionally, commitment cards will be available at the Connection Desk throughout February for anyone who wants to commit in person after Commitment Sunday. Throughout this series, we’ve been reminded that: God is generous, and He forms generous people The world is divided, and the Church must look different Love becomes visible through sacrifice When God’s people commit together, God moves powerfully So here’s my pastoral invitation to you: Pray. Seek the Lord. Talk as a family. Ask not, “What’s expected?” but “What is God inviting us into?” And whether you are partnering for the first time or renewing your partnership , this Month of Partnership is your opportunity to say yes. We are not trying to build something flashy or glamorous. We are building something faithful. Something rooted. Something that will impact lives for generations. I am honored to walk into this next season with you. With gratitude and excitement, Pastor Josh Passion Church
Before we talk about who God is, I want to invite you to pause and open your heart. We all bring something into conversations about God: • childhood experiences • past church wounds • cultural assumptions • religious confusion • parental mistreatment • or even silence about God For many, the very word “God” carries layers of misunderstanding. So as we explore this doctrine, I’m asking you to do three things: 1. Lay down past assumptions. Not every idea you were taught about God was accurate. 2. Allow Scripture to speak clearly. We are approaching this biblically—not through wounds, fears, or culture. 3. Give grace to your own story and the stories of others. Many people struggle with their view of God. You’re not alone. My goal is not to overwhelm you with theology. My goal is to help you see God clearly, love Him deeply, and trust Him fully. Now, let’s walk together through who God reveals Himself to be. ________________________________________ 1. God Is Creator — The Beginning of Everything Begins With Him The Bible opens with a bold, simple declaration: “In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth.” — Genesis 1:1 And honestly, I find it a little humorous how people often present the two major views of how everything began. On one hand, you have the Big Bang: An invisible, unexplainable force that made something out of nothing. On the other hand, you have God: An invisible, eternal Being who made something out of nothing. When you put them side by side, it’s almost funny. In both cases, a cause outside the visible universe sparks life into existence. Both require faith. Both ask us to believe in something we can’t physically observe. The real question isn’t whether an invisible cause started everything. The real question is Who or what that cause is. Some say the universe exploded into existence with no personal intent or meaning. Christians believe the universe was spoken into existence by a personal God filled with purpose, creativity, and love. And here’s the irony: Even the Big Bang—a sudden burst of light and energy—sounds very similar to “Let there be light.” It just depends on how you view it. Many scientists now affirm the universe had a beginning— that time, space, and matter came into existence suddenly, and that the cause must exist outside of all three. That sounds a whole lot like God. Science often describes how things work. The Bible reveals Who made them work— and why He made them at all. God didn’t create because He needed anything. He created because He is overflowing with love, creativity, and purpose. You are not an accident. You are not random. You were created intentionally by a God who knows you and loves you. ________________________________________ 2. God Is Eternal — Unchanging, Unbound by Time, Always Present Psalm 90:2 says: “From everlasting to everlasting, You are God.” God existed before the universe. He exists beyond time. He does not age, weaken, or evolve. He is not learning or adjusting. He simply is. When Moses asked for His name, God responded: “I AM WHO I AM.” — Exodus 3:14 Not “I was.” Not “I will be.” Just I AM—constant, faithful, ever-present. This matters because: • Feelings change. • People change. • Circumstances change. • Cultures change. God does not. The God who spoke in Genesis is the same God listening to your prayers today. You can build your life on a God who never shifts. ________________________________________ 3. God Is Father — Loving, Protecting, Guiding, and Caring for His Children When Jesus taught His disciples to pray, He didn’t say: • “Our Judge…” • “Our Creator…” • “Our King…” He said: “Our Father…” — Matthew 6:9 Jesus intentionally revealed the heart of God as a Father— not distant, cold, or harsh, but relational, present, deeply loving. But for many people, the word “father” is complicated. If your earthly father: • abandoned you, • criticized you, • abused you, • ignored you, • or failed to protect you, then seeing God as Father may feel painful or impossible. Here is the truth you need to hear: God is not the reflection of your earthly father. He is the perfection of fatherhood. Scripture reveals that God is a Father who: • Loves His children (1 John 3:1) • Protects them (Psalm 46:1) • Provides for them (Matthew 6:31–32) • Guides them (Psalm 23) • Disciplines them out of love (Heb. 12:6) • Delights in them (Zeph. 3:17) He is the Father who runs to the prodigal, not away. The Father who carries His children when they are weak. The Father who fights for His family. The Father who never leaves, never wounds, never abuses, never manipulates. He is the Father your soul was created for. ________________________________________ 4. God Is Triune — One God in Three Persons We believe in one God who exists eternally as: • Father • Son • Holy Spirit Not three gods. Not one God wearing three masks. Not one God shifting between roles. One Being. Three Persons. Perfect unity. Why does this matter? 1. God has always been relational. Love existed before creation within the Trinity. 2. God models unity and partnership. The Father plans, the Son accomplishes, the Spirit empowers. 3. The Trinity reveals the depth of God’s love. The Father sends. The Son sacrifices. The Spirit transforms. The Trinity isn’t a puzzle. It’s a beautiful mystery that shows us God’s relational, united, and loving heart. ________________________________________ 5. God Is Sovereign — Fully in Control, Completely Good Sovereignty does not mean: • God forces human choices • God removes free will • God causes evil • God micromanages every detail Sovereignty means: • God’s authority is absolute • God’s plans are unstoppable • God is never surprised • God is never defeated • God works all things for the good of His people God’s sovereignty isn’t about control— it’s about trustworthiness. He is powerful enough to rule creation and tender enough to walk with you through pain. ________________________________________ 6. God Is the Giver of Free Will — The Gift That Makes Love Possible Free will is one of God’s greatest gifts—second only to grace. Why? Because love cannot exist without choice. If God forced obedience, forced worship, forced devotion— it wouldn’t be love. So God gave humanity the ability to: • obey or disobey, • pursue Him or reject Him, • choose good or choose evil, • forgive or stay bitter, • love or hurt, • move toward God or away from Him. This gift is beautiful… and dangerous. It is the foundation for: • every act of kindness • every act of evil • every moment of worship • every moment of rebellion Free will explains why beauty exists and why brokenness exists. You are not a robot. You are a person God loves— a person capable of choosing Him freely. God’s sovereignty and human free will do not compete. They work in perfect tension. God’s will is ultimate. Your choices are meaningful. Together, they shape your life and your relationship with God. ________________________________________ 7. God Is Good — Perfect in Character, Perfect in Love Everything God does flows from His goodness. He cannot: • lie • manipulate • harm • betray • act out of evil He is holy, just, patient, merciful, gracious, and loving. If anything in your life contradicts His goodness, it did not come from Him. ________________________________________ 8. Why Understanding God Matters for Everyday Life If God is Creator — your life has purpose. If God is Father — you are loved and safe. If God is Eternal — He is your anchor. If God is Triune — you were designed for community. If God is Sovereign — you can trust Him. If God gives free will — your choices matter. If God is good — you can run to Him, not from Him. Your entire worldview rises or falls on who you believe God is. ________________________________________ 9. Don’t Just Take My Word for It — Explore Him Yourself Read these Scriptures this week: • Genesis 1 • Psalm 23 • Psalm 90 • Matthew 6 • Luke 15 • John 14–17 • Romans 8 • 1 John 3–4 Ask God to reveal Himself to you as: • Creator • Father • Sovereign • Good • Present Don’t quit when Scripture stretches you. Lean in. Ask questions. Search. God loves revealing Himself to those who seek Him. ________________________________________ 10. Final Thought: The Way You See God Shapes the Way You Live If you believe God is distant, you will feel alone. If you believe He is harsh, you will hide. If you believe He is controlling, you will resist. If you believe He is passive, you will feel abandoned. But if you believe He is: • Creator • Eternal • Triune • Father • Sovereign • Good • Loving • Wise • Present …then everything about your life changes. Your identity changes. Your peace changes. Your purpose changes. Your relationships change. Your decisions change. Your worship changes. Who God is determines who you become. Anchor your life to the God who created you, loves you, redeemed you, empowers you, guides you, and walks with you every step of the way.