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Bibles.net

Content  Philosophy

Bibles.net mostly hosts unoriginal content, curating and reorganizing the wealth of Christian content on the web for people who would not know how to find biblical resources on their own. We find and organize content into pages that aim to help unchurched people discover the Word of God. Here you will discover how we choose our content and the questions we ask as we review it.

What Is the Heart Behind Bibles.net?

Our mission and content is thoroughly shaped by 2 Corinthians 4:1-6. This passage most clearly explains the heart behind our ministry.

Therefore, since through God’s mercy we have this ministry, we do not lose heart.

Rather, we have renounced secret and shameful ways; we do not use deception, nor do we distort the word of God. On the contrary, by setting forth the truth plainly we commend ourselves to everyone’s conscience in the sight of God.

And even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing. The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the gospel that displays the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.

For what we preach is not ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, and ourselves as your servants for Jesus’ sake.

For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” made his light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of God’s glory displayed in the face of Christ.

(2 Corinthians 4:1-6 NIV)

Who Is Bibles.net Created For?

Bibles.net is a resource that can help the many people who do not have a church background or come from a Christian family to discover the Word of God. We created Bibles.net with non-believers and new believers in mind, but we also hope that it helps all believers in Jesus to know God better through his Word. People need to meet Christ, but they also need to know how they can get to know him better daily through his Word.

Our Audience:

Our target audience includes all the following people:

  • People who don’t have a Christian background
  • People who have a negative view of Christianity
  • People who are looking for hope
  • People who God is drawing near to himself

On hearing this, Jesus said to them, “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners.” (Mark 2:17 NIV)

“Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied.” (Matthew 5:6 ESV) 

“No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws them, and I will raise them up at the last day.” (John 6:44 NIV) 

The Questions We Ask As We Curate Content

Our content is carefully selected and reviewed. We are dedicated to clear communication, choosing competent authors, and teaching biblically faithful theology.

Below is a summary of the questions we ask in these three categories. Click the category to learn more!

Have questions? Contact us. 

Communication

Hospitality

Is this content hospitable to an unchurched, unbelieving audience in word choice and tone?

Matthew 9:10-12; John 8:10-11

Excellence

Is this content creative and visually excellent, and easy to read on a mobile device?

Colossians 3:23-24

Intelligence

Does this content assume an intelligent audience?

Acts 17:2-3

Relevance

Is this content relevant to our audience?

Ephesians 5:18-20; Hebrews 4:12

Sincerity

Is this content sincere—reasoning gently and respectfully in a way that fuels hope?

1 Peter 3:15-16; 2 Corinthians 6:3-4, 6-7

Authors

Life

Does this author speak, live, and make partnerships in a manner worthy of the gospel?

Titus 1:7-9; 1 Corinthians 5:11-12; James 3:1

Teaching

Does this author…

  • Speak with complete purity?
  • Discuss sin with dignity?
  • Promote godly thoughts?
  • Refrain from unnecessarily entertaining thoughts about sin?

Ephesians 5:3-4, 11-13; Philippians 4:8

Belief

Does this author stand by a biblical statement of faith?

Titus 2:1

Theology

Handle God’s Word Well

Does this content…

  • Interpret the Bible with the Bible?
  • Lead readers to better understand the whole biblical story?
  • Reason from the Bible?
  • Include Bible verses?

Revelation 22:18-19; Proverbs 10:19

Honor God’s Word

Does this content…

  • Promote God’s Word over man’s opinion?
  • Take a high view of the Bible?
  • Boldly share the hard truth?
  • Lead to clarity not confusion?

Acts 20:26-27; Mark 8:38; Romans 9:1-2; 2 Timothy 3:16-17

Share the Gospel

Does this content define the term gospel and proclaim the true gospel?

Galatians 1:9, 5:7-8; 1 Timothy 4:16; 1 Corinthians 15:3-5; Romans 1:16

Disciple the Reader

Does this content teach the reader to seek Jesus and know his Word better?

Matthew 28:19-20; Romans 10:13-15; Acts 14:21-22

Understanding How We Curate Content

Below you will find the biblical and thoughtful rationale behind every question we ask as we curate content, and will hear an explanation of the heart behind many of our content decisions.

Communication

God tells us in his Word how we are to share his message of hope. And so we choose content for Bibles.net that communicates in the manner that heirs of Christ’s hope are instructed to communicate—hospitably, excellently, intelligently, relevantly, and sincerely.

Hospitable Words

Question: Is this content hospitable to an unchurched, unbelieving audience in word choice and tone?

While Jesus was having dinner at Matthew’s house, many tax collectors and sinners came and ate with him and his disciples. When the Pharisees saw this, they asked his disciples, “Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?” On hearing this, Jesus said, “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. (Matthew 9:10-12 NIV)

Then Jesus stood up again and said to the woman, “Where are your accusers? Didn’t even one of them condemn you?” “No, Lord,” she said. And Jesus said, “Neither do I. Go and sin no more.” (John 8:10-11 NLT)

We want our online presence to be hospitable. Many people associate Christianity with a bigoted, judgmental, and condemning attitude. When really, that’s quite contrary to the character of our compassionate Lord, who welcomed sinners with joy and ate with prostitutes, tax collectors, and sinners. Jesus welcomed unbelievers and those unlike him into his fellowship kindly and graciously. For, God’s kindness leads us to repentance (Romans 2:4). It was actually the religious hypocrites who would not associate with outsiders to whom Jesus dealt his condemnation.

We don’t want our content to include Christian jargon, which may be misunderstood by unbelievers. Content stuffed with Christian jargon excludes the unchurched from understanding what we’re saying. We want to welcome others to understand the Bible in language they’ll understand, and then teach them rich biblical language.

Excellent Words

Question: Is this content creative, verbally and visually excellent, and easy to read on a mobile device?

Whatever you do, do your work heartily, as for the Lord rather than for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance. It is the Lord Christ whom you serve. (Colossians 3:23-24 NASB)

We want our speech to reflect the dignity of the Christian life, and the creativity with which God has revealed himself. We want to use pleasant language that inspires worship and reverence for God. Our God is glorious and he delights in beauty. He deserves the honor of our best creative efforts. We aim to write well and choose authors who communicate well. 

Though we want to include content for children and families, we will choose content that’s not juvenile or belittling of biblical truth in its presentation.

Intelligent Words

Question: Does this content assume an intelligent audience?

As was his custom, Paul went into the synagogue, and on three Sabbath days he reasoned with them from the Scriptures, explaining and proving that the Messiah had to suffer and rise from the dead. (Acts 17:2-3 NIV)

We want to honor our audience’s intelligence. We want to speak from a well-rounded, thoughtful perspective—not offering piecemeal, trite, band-aid solutions to big issues.

We believe we can speak intelligently yet with a simplicity that doesn’t complicate the clear message of the Bible. The Bible is clear, and requires no higher education to read, understand, or apply it. And we believe we can speak biblical truth simply without idioms and “Christianese.”

It’s easy for Christians to make interpretive leaps in their explanations, unaware that what has become wrote to them is novel to a non/new believer. We do not dumb down what we believe, but carefully disciple people into what we believe, assuming they’re starting from an ignorant, rather than informed, experience of Christianity. At the same time, we assume that they are intelligent, and so we will not be condescending toward our audience by assuming they cannot understand the teaching of the Bible.

Relevant Words

Question: Is this content relevant to our audience?

Instead, be filled with the Spirit, speaking to one another with psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit. Sing and make music from your heart to the Lord, always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. (Ephesians 5:18-20 NIV)

For the word of God is living and active and sharper than any two-edged sword, and piercing as far as the division of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart. (Hebrews 4:12 NASB)

We want to excite our audience to know God through the Bible, offering them content that brings his Word to bear on real issues they face. We want to possess an infectious joy and delight in God’s revelation as relevant rather than the common critical, speculative, or argumentative demeanor often worn by knowledgeable Christians.

Sincere Words

Question: Is this content sincere—reasoning gently and respectfully in a way that fuels hope?

Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander. (1 Peter 3:15-16 NIV)

We put no stumbling block in anyone’s path, so that our ministry will not be discredited. Rather, as servants of God we commend ourselves in every way. . . in the Holy Spirit and in sincere love; in truthful speech and in the power of God. . . (2 Corinthians 6:3-4, 6-7 NIV)

We want our audience to understand that our hope is sure, our faith is reasonable, our joy is deep, and the Truth is inarguable. We want them to hear our excitement as we share about our God who is so precious to us. We don’t want to sound like we’re trying to sell something.

We address topics like science, archaeology, and philosophy, because our audience will include intelligent people with honest questions. We’re aiming to be winsome for Christ, not winning his argument, but instead, respectfully and gently sharing the hope of Christ. Since God gives understanding of his Word, we have no reason to boast about receiving the truth (2 Corinthians 12:6). As Charles Spurgeon wisely said, like a lion, the Bible does not need our defense. If we winsomely present it, it will defend itself. Though we feature content that could be labeled as apologetics, our goal is to give reason for our hope.

Authors

Instead of hosting primarily original content, we provide a wide array of content from many different people in the family of God. We want to make sure we choose authors who faithfully bear the name of the Lord Jesus in their life, teaching, and beliefs. Here are the questions we will be asking as we choose which authors to feature.

Life

Question: Does this author speak, live, and make partnerships in a manner worthy of the gospel?

For an overseer, as God’s steward, must be above reproach. He must not be arrogant or quick-tempered or a drunkard or violent or greedy for gain, but hospitable, a lover of good, self-controlled, upright, holy, and disciplined. He must hold firm to the trustworthy word as taught, so that he may be able to give instruction in sound doctrine and also to rebuke those who contradict it. (Titus 1:7-9 ESV) 

But now I am writing to you that you must not associate with anyone who claims to be a brother or sister but is sexually immoral or greedy, an idolater or slanderer, a drunkard or swindler. Do not even eat with such people. What business is it of mine to judge those outside the church? Are you not to judge those inside? (1 Corinthians 5:11-12 NIV)

Not many of you should become teachers, my fellow believers, because you know that we who teach will be judged more strictly. (James 3:1 NIV)

We feature content created by men and women in the Church, and we must judge both their lives and their speech by the Bible. Teachers are held responsible before God for those they teach; thus, we feel a heavy sense of responsibility over who we choose to promote on our online platform, knowing they will be teaching our audience.

Teaching

Question: Does this author speak with complete purity, discuss sin with dignity, promote godly thoughts, and refrain from unnecessarily entertaining thoughts about sin?

But among you there must not be even a hint of sexual immorality, or of any kind of impurity, or of greed, because these are improper for God’s holy people. Nor should there be obscenity, foolish talk or coarse joking, which are out of place, but rather thanksgiving. (Ephesians 5:3-4 NIV)

Take no part in the unfruitful works of darkness, but instead expose them. For it is shameful even to speak of the things that they do in secret. But when anything is exposed by the light, it becomes visible… (Ephesians 5:11-13 ESV)

Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. (Philippians 4:8 ESV)

The Bible clearly says that teachers are called to dignity. God is holy, so the slightest sexual sin should not be tolerated or toyed with by his people. If a pastor makes a crude joke, or clearly lacks reverence for God or respect for people in what he says in a particular piece of content, we will not feature that content.

Similarly, we will expose darkness as darkness while not featuring content that unnecessarily entertains thoughts about sin. As the issues in our culture become more complex on various fronts, there are things that are better left “unnamed” in conversation. We aim to present biblical teaching with dignity and tact.

We want to be above reproach in the content we feature. The Holy Spirit reminds us through Philippians 4:8 that we are held accountable to think holy thoughts as well as behave in a holy manner. Through the content we present, we want to help our audience think on what is good, true, and lovely.

Belief

Question: Does this author stand by a biblical statement of faith?

You, however, must teach what is appropriate to sound doctrine. (Titus 2:1 NIV)

We must teach sound doctrine through our site, lest we lead someone astray.

Some doctrines are inarguable (e.g. the Trinity, penal substitutionary atonement). Thus, the content we choose must teach these things clearly.

Some doctrines we are convinced are biblically inarguable, though professing Christians debate such things (e.g. male leadership in the pulpit, 6-day creation, etc.). Thus, the content we choose will teach according to our convictions, so that we might keep a clean conscience before God.

Some doctrines are disputed among faithful followers of Jesus and both sides of the argument on a given issue may be a plausible interpretation of Scripture. These doctrines are debated (e.g. end-times views, dispensationalism, infant baptism, covenant theology, etc.). Thus, we are open to choosing content that supports either view on a given issue.

See Bibles.net’s Statement of Faith.

Theology

God’s Word transforms people. That’s why we are making this site. We want to choose powerful content in which the author or speaker wields God’s Word honorably and faithfully. We want to choose content that motivates change in the reader, whether for the first or five-hundredth time.

Handle God’s Word Well

Question: Does this content interpret the Bible with the Bible, lead readers to better understand the whole biblical story, reason from the Bible, and include Bible verses?

I warn everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book: if anyone adds to them, God will add to him the plagues described in this book, and if anyone takes away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God will take away his share in the tree of life and in the holy city, which are described in this book. (Revelation 22:18-19 ESV)

When words are many, transgression is not lacking (Proverbs 10:19 ESV)

We avoid adding to or taking away from God’s Word. We aim to promote content that interprets the Bible with the Bible, guides people from specific passages to Christ and the broader message of the gospel, reasons from the Bible rather than about the Bible, and includes direct quotations from the Bible. 

We want our site to faithfully explain, where necessary, and repeat what God has already said. We aim to choose content that is hermeneutically and biblically faithful. The more we speak, rather than let God speak for himself, the more likely we are to stumble in our speech (James 3:2), and sideline God’s revealed means of power to transform (Hebrews 4:12). We aim to choose content that handles the Bible humbly, trusting its sufficiency.

Honor God’s Word

Question: Does this content promote God’s Word over man’s opinion, take a high view of the Bible, boldly share truth, and lead to clarity not confusion?

All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting, and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work. (2 Timothy 3:16-17 NIV)

“If anyone is ashamed of me and my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, the Son of Man will be ashamed of them when he comes in his Father’s glory with the holy angels.” (Mark 8:38 NIV)

I speak the truth in Christ — I am not lying, my conscience confirms it through the Holy Spirit—I have great sorrow and unceasing anguish in my heart. (Romans 9:1-2 NIV)

Therefore I testify to you this day that I am innocent of the blood of all, for I did not shrink from declaring to you the whole counsel of God. (Acts 20:26-27 ESV)

We want to choose content that reveals a firm belief in the inspiration, inerrancy, infallibility, clarity, authority, and sufficiency of the Bible. This means the content will not intentionally avoid topics that people might find offensive—like sin or hell—or that are contrary to popular opinion. It also must not muddle topics the Bible makes clear.

Share the Gospel

Question: Does this content define the term “gospel” and proclaim the true gospel?

For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes: first to the Jew, then to the Gentile. (Romans 1:16 NIV)

For I delivered to you first of all that which I also received: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, and that He was buried, and that He rose again the third day according to the Scriptures, and that He was seen by Cephas, then by the twelve. (1 Corinthians 15:3-5 NKJV)

As we have said before, so now I say again: If anyone is preaching to you a gospel contrary to the one you received, let him be accursed… You were running well. Who hindered you from obeying the truth? This persuasion is not from him who calls you. (Galatians 1:9; 5:7-8 ESV)

Keep a close watch on yourself and on the teaching. Persist in this, for by so doing you will save both yourself and your hearers. (1 Timothy 4:16 ESV)

We endeavor to ensure that all the content on our site proclaims the true gospel message. The gospel is about what God has done for us in the life, death, and resurrection of his Son, Jesus Christ.

We reject content that promotes moralism and self-effort apart from the empowering ministry of the Holy Spirit. We reject content that implies that anything plus faith in Christ will make a person more pleasing to God. And we reject content that advocates for earning God’s favor by our righteousness. We pray that all our content communicates that “salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name [apart from Jesus!] under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved” (Acts 4:12 NIV). 

Please see the Statement of Faith for further theological guidelines.

Article: Which of These False Gospels Do You Believe? by J.D. Greear.

Article: The Gospel’s Three Elements by Dave Hunt.

Disciple the Reader

Question: Does this content teach the reader to seek Jesus and know his Word better?

Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” (Matthew 28:19-20 NASB)

For “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” But how can they call on him to save them unless they believe in him? And how can they believe in him if they have never heard about him? And how can they hear about him unless someone tells them? And how will anyone go and tell them without being sent? That is why the Scriptures say, “How beautiful are the feet of messengers who bring good news!” (Romans 10:13-15 NLT)

They preached the gospel in that city and won a large number of disciples. Then they returned to Lystra, Iconium and Antioch, strengthening the disciples and encouraging them to remain true to the faith. “We must go through many hardships to enter the kingdom of God,” they said. (Acts 14:21-22 NIV)

The Bible not only introduces us to Jesus, but also tells us how to walk with him. We want to compel our audience to seek the Lord through his Word. This means that not all of our content will be direct teaching on the Bible, but content that will draw our reader to Scripture, equip them to read it, or excite them to love, obey, trust, honor, and follow Jesus.

We want to inspire people to courageously take God at his Word. God’s Word is accessible, but it says hard things, requiring faith and commitment. God’s Word serves as the measure by which we evaluate not just our own thoughts and actions, but also those of culture. It’s the objective truth outside of ourselves. Thus, it has the authority to correct and direct our lives. Knowing Jesus means obeying Jesus, and we want to communicate that he’s given us great power to do this by his Holy Spirit as we follow him by faith (John 15:1-5).

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