The veterinarian entered our examination room flashing an endearing and broad smile. A gray haired gentleman adorned in an immaculate white coat, he introduced himself before turning his attention to our dog. Our family was a bit apprehensive since our new dog did not readily accept strangers. No problem here! In soft and measured tones, he spoke to our dog and slowly maneuvered his hands to perform a quick but adept examination. I was duly impressed!
“You have a healthy dog!” He stroked her back, lifting up her paws as he simultaneously completed his examination. “And thank you for choosing a rescue dog! Do you have any questions for me?”
We did and he completely answered the questions with aplomb; no matter if he repeated this scenario several times a day, he gave us his undivided attention. But he suddenly became flustered when we asked him a seemingly innocent question. “How often she would we bathe her?”
“What have you been told?”
Our family glanced at each other and nodded, “Once a month?”
He shook his head and said, “They still teach that? I need to discuss this with the professors at the veterinary schools!” This was getting interesting.
“So it is not once a month?”
He chuckled. “No, in fact, you can wash her everyday if you like. I know what you have heard, the dog’s skin will dry out, it’s bad for them, they don’t need to bathe as often as we do….all of these are false. You take a bath everyday, your dog can as well!”
I smiled as I reflected upon the doctor’s words. Veterinary medicine is not only field of study that perpetuates antiquated ideas. Medicine, business, and nearly every profession is replete with similar tales. When I was a medical student, some of my textbooks advocated institutionalizing children with Down syndrome because some pundits concluded there was no hope for them to lead a productive life. Explain that to my son who has Down syndrome. He is a healthy teen-ager who performs math at his grade level and is competitive on the basketball court. When we allow ourselves to blindly follow advice rendered by unknown or unvetted sources, we become fools and relinquish the very qualities that set us apart from the rest of the animal kingdom. We should carefully scrutinize everything we hear.
What about the Bible? Not surprisingly, liberal critics and atheists alike find a plethora of reasons to not believe the Bible. It is an ancient mythological treatise-outdated, obsolete, and out of touch with reality and current events.
“Noah and the flood? Impossible! How could the entire earth be covered by water? This is a gross exaggeration!”
“Jonah swallowed by a fish for three days and living? It was just an allegory! He wasn’t really swallowed!”
An exaggeration? An allegory? Jesus Christ believed in Noah and Jonah and taught them to His followers.
For as were the days of Noah, so will be the coming of the Son of Man. For as in those days before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day when Noah entered the ark, and they were unaware until the flood came and swept them all away, so will be the coming of the Son of Man.
Matthew 24:37-39 (ESV)
For just as Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of the great fish, so will the Son of Man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth.
Matthew 12:40 (ESV)
Like the frequency of bathing a dog, there are many things that are put forward as facts which we should have every reason to be skeptical. Before I became a Christian, I also thought Noah and Jonah were myths or allegories of epic struggles between ancient civilizations. It was only when I confessed and repented of my sins and accepted Jesus Christ as my Lord and Savior did I begin to seriously investigate the claims of the Bible.
Unlike many of the teachings of the world and man, what the Bible teaches is and remains the Truth. It all rests upon the testimony of Jesus Christ. I believe these events occurred because my Lord Jesus Christ believed it. Jesus is real. He is my God, my Savior, and my reason for living. Everyone must honestly investigate the claims of Jesus Christ and decide whether Jesus is really who He claimed to be-the Creator of God of this Universe.
Yes, the Bible still teaches that!
Love and trust the Lord; seek His will in your life.
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