In her "Letter from the Provinces" in this edition of ChristianWeek, Margaret Buchanan writes a thought-provoking column about the importance of the Bible to Christians. It’s fairly easy for us to agree that the Bible is vitally important, but there’s a huge range of opinion and practice whenever we consider the implications of what it actually means to be a "Bible-believing" Christian.

Whenever issues like this show up in our pages, I need to carefully consider the mandate that’s been entrusted to me in my position as editorial director of ChristianWeek. And just so you know exactly what I’m bound to uphold, here is the official statement on "Revelation" that is part of our founding documents.

"We believe that God has made His power and deity known in creation. He revealed Himself also in word and deed in the Old Testament. He revealed Himself supremely and finally in the Lord Jesus Christ, as recorded in the New Testament. We accept the entire Bible as the infallible word of God and as the authoritative guide for faith and all life."

I personally take great delight in encouraging people to accept the Bible as an authoritative guide for faith and life, and unreservedly believe that it is indeed infallible in what God intends it to teach. However, I’m less certain than I used to be that the evangelical Protestant sector of the Christian family that I call home knows with the clarity and finality we’re apt to proclaim how to actually interpret the revelation Scripture provides.

I was helped immeasurably in my own understanding a few years ago when I read (and ChristianWeek published) a short article by Trinity Western University executive vice-president Guy Saffold, who is fully persuaded that the Bible is fully inerrant, but is "more concerned about issues of confidence in the Bible, wisdom in understanding it, and obedience to its teachings."

Saffold observes that "the most serious failings among Christian people today are more often related to lack of confidence and obedience than to issues of truth. Examples abound of the most appalling disobedience among those who more formally confess to the absolute truthfulness of Scripture. The majesty of God’s Word is more seriously and widely undermined in these ways than in theological debate," he writes.

The truthfulness of Scripture is essential, he continues. "But what is the good of inerrancy without personal, life-level confidence? And what good is confidence without obedience?

"Truthfulness is just a starting point, not a destination. Jesus scorned theological precision that did not lead to obedience. Many fail, He said, not in matters of truth or knowledge but in ‘the weightier matters’ of the law: justice, mercy and faith."

Saffold’s statements have the ring of truth. The world could do quite nicely with fewer puppets of dogma. But we desperately need authentic Christian disciples—followers of Jesus who not only uphold the truth of Scripture, but demonstrate the depths of their trust by living according to its ways. That’s why God gave us the Bible.

Coming next issue: A special feature highlights 100 years of the Canadian Bible Society in Canada.