I recall an English class in college where the instructor read several papers to the class to illustrate good and bad techniques used by students. The assignment had been to locate an editorial article and to write a paper that argued in favor of it, or against it, and one of the papers the instructor read first invoked the Bible as an argument against physician-assisted suicide. The instructor warned that using the Bible to support a point was dangerous because so many people disagreed on the Bible, or interpreted it differently.
The instructor then read my paper. I recall having written in response to an editorial that claimed vegetarians were morally superior. Ironically, the article had invoked the Bible suggesting that the commandment "Thou shalt not kill" did not provide exceptions, so believers in the bible should avoid the taking of animal life for food. In response, I had used Bible passages that contained instructions for killing animal sacrifices, and also shown that the resurrected Christ had eaten fish.
The instructor asked the class what they thought of my writing. Some people immediately pointed out that I had used the Bible, and that it was dangerous. The instructor indicated that because I had used it in response to a biblical argument, it proved the point, and was an effective example.
At the time, I recall feeling quite proud of myself. Even now, I believe that I defended the use of animal products convincingly in response to the editorial... and even though I continue to enjoy the delicious flavor of bacon, beef, poultry, and fish... instead of pride, a small sense of shame comes to me.
As time has passed, I have come to realize that my arguments did exactly what the instructor described: they eroded trust in the Bible. They suggested that any conclusion could be obtained from the book, which implies that no conclusion derived therefrom is of any importance.
Contemporary conversations about issues ranging from health care to homosexual marriage and abortion to taxes, frequently cite the Bible... and individuals on both sides of any given argument have been known to appeal to the same religious book for justification that their point of view is morally correct or even favored by God himself. Opponents on both sides are quick to read passages that describe dietary restrictions or other obscure and archaic guides for conduct from the Old Testament to show that people are selectively following the Bible.
Enough arguments that use the Bible have circulated such that for many people... the Bible no longer matters.
To any that may have reached this conclusion (and I cannot overemphasize this), I say you are wrong.
Equally, to those who persist in using the scriptures as a weapon to prove that others have not come to the correct conclusion on any given issue... you are also wrong (even if you're right about the issue).
The primary purpose of the Bible is not to prove anything. As critics point out, there are times when the Bible seems incomplete (2 Chronicles 9:29), or confusing (Genesis 22:1-2), or archaic (Leviticus 11:2-4). Those that allow these flaws to convince them the Bible has no worth because of some passages, miss out on the truly beautiful and powerful passages that inspire.
Consider the two disciples on the road to Emmaus after the resurrection of Jesus Christ. (Luke 24) Jesus expounded the scriptures to them in a powerful manner, such that after he was gone they said "did not our heart burn within us, while he talked with us by the way, and while he opened to us the scriptures?" (Luke 24:32, emphasis added) Certainly, defenders of the good book can point to its historical significance, or the influence that it has had on the English language, the availability of printing, the concepts of liberty and morality... but the purpose of scripture study is illustrated in the example of the disciples on the road to Emmaus. It is not to produce well-thought argument... it is to help men recognize God.
Much like other religious performances, the true power of reading the Bible depends on an existing faith in God. (see Hebrews 11:6) Just as the parables that Jesus taught meant nothing to some audiences, to some they revealed great truths (Matthew 13:34-35), the same words in the scriptures can produce different messages for different readers. Those that have "ears to hear" are those that are open to spiritual truths.
Reading the Bible with faith produces spiritual strength and understanding. I cannot help but be moved when I read the bold teachings of Christ in the sermon on the mount (Matthew 5-7), or the profound description of Jesus as the Word of God (John 1). The confidence of Isaiah and Hezekiah (Isaiah 37), the courage of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego (Daniel 3), and the fearlessness of Elijah the Tishbite (1 Kings 18) have power to inspire and strengthen.
A complete enumeration of moving passages is not practical, but I have found that the more I read, the better I come to know God. In a world of strife and conflict, the Bible matters not because it specifically and with certainty answers with logic any given issue, scenario, or question... but because it helps people become better. A world where more people strive for righteousness and selflessly devote their time and talents for the betterment of his family is precisely the reason that the Bible is here. God is trying to speak to us, and just as he did on the road to Emmaus, the scriptures are the tool that allows any disciple to recognize God.
And so if it has been a while, dust of the cover, crack open the pages, or even go online for free(https://www.lds.org/scriptures/bible?lang=eng). No matter where a person is in life's journey, reading the Bible, when properly used and diligently studied, can help them get to a better place... a place closer to God himself.
