The Bible is rejected by natural man for many reasons. All of us who are born again believers can remember our own personal qualms that lead us to reject God’s Word. For me, I reasoned that one could never really know for sure that all the ancient testimonies written ages ago actually occurred. That was good enough reason for me to outright reject the Bible and God’s teachings therein.
Below is a list of 31 reasons the Bible is rejected, all with Scripture references.
The list is taken from Southern Baptist stateman and SBTS seminary founder James P. Boyce’s seminal work Abstract of Systematic Theology available in print and online for free.
Pride, which may be national, Matt. 3:9; John 8:33; Acts 13:45; 17:5; 22:21, 22; intellectual, Matt. 11:25; John 9:39-41; Rom. 1: 21, 22; 1 Cor. 1:19-21; or social, John 7:48.
- Self-righteousness. Mark 2:16; Luke 7:39; 18:10-14; Rom. 10:3.
- Love of praise. John 5:44; 12:43.
- Love of the world. 2 Tim. 4:10; James 4:4; 1 John 2:15.
- Love of money. Mark 10:17-24; Luke 16:13, 14; 1 Tim. 6:9, 10.
- Cares of the world. Matt. 13:7-22; Luke 10:40.
- Fear of man. John 7:13; 9:22; 12:42.
- Worldly self-interest. Mark 5:16, 17; John 11:48.
- Unwillingness to separate from impenitent friends. Luke 9:59-62.
- Unwillingness to believe what they cannot understand. John 3:9; 6:52-60; Acts 17:32; 1 Cor. 2:14.
- Unwillingness to have their sins exposed. John 3:19-20.
- Unwillingness to submit to God’s authority. Luke 19:14; 20:9-18.
- Prejudice against the messenger. Matt. 12:24; 13:57; John 1:46; 6:42; 7:52; 9:29.
- Spiritual blindness. Matt. 13:15; 1 Cor. 2:14.
- Unfaithfulness to the light which they had. John 12:36.
- Waiting for a convenient season. Acts 24:25.
- Frivolous excuses. Luke 14:18.
- Lack of deep convictions. Matt. 13:5; 22:5.
- Lack of earnestness. Luke 13:24.
- Neglect of the Bible. Luke 24:25; John 5:39; 7:27; Acts 17:11-12.
- Neglect of religious meetings. John 20:24.
- Blindness to special opportunities. Luke 19:44.
- Desire for special signs. Matt. 12:38, 39; 16:1-4; John 6:30; 1 Cor. 1:22.
- Regard for human traditions. Matt. 15:9; Mark 2:23-28.
- Insincerity. Matt. 15:7-8; 21:25-31; Acts 24:26.
- A controversial spirit. Matt. 22:15-40.
- A murmuring spirit. Matt. 25:24.
- Having no desire for God. John 5:42; Rom. 1:28.
- Hatred of God and of Christ. John 15:22-25.
- Hatred of the truth. Acts 7:51-54; 2 Thess. 2:10-12; 2 Tim. 4:3.
- The power of the devil. Matt. 13:4-19; John 8:44; 2 Cor. 4:3, 4.
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James P. Boyce, Abstract of Systematic Theology, Chapter 31.
