Speaking on the subject of Bible prophecy in a church last night, I was reminded again that Bible-believing Christians are not the bumpkins their critics make them out to be. There was a lively and sophisticated set of questions for me after the talk. Truly, Bible-believing Christians to do not “check their brains at the door” as certain evangelical commentators like Mark Noll allege.

It is possible to believe that the Bible is exactly what it appears to be…and be intelligent.

My overall theme last night was that since I am often asked what is the greatest sign we are living in the last days of world history, my answer is of course, “Israel.” This evidence is huge, very visible, and ubiquitous in the Bible, particularly the Old Testament.

As I talked with the people in the audience last night, I was reminded of the wonderful comedy team of Laurel & Hardy. Stan was known for saying inane things and the slightly smarter Babe Hardy would then affirm his dumb, lovable friend.

Once, Stan made the statement, “You can lead a horse to water, but a pencil must be lead.” The line is so funny, I think of it often and laugh every time.

For the critics of the Bible—particularly Bible prophecy—those of us who believe in it and teach it are Stan Laurel. Dim-witted.

Ironically, our fiercest critics are in the Church. In fact, secularists or those from other religions are often quite curious about Bible prophecy and open-minded.

Bible-believers do not reject “careful thinking.” They are not Stan Laurel’s character.

That is a false charge.

Take for example the intensifying pressure on Israel, from the international community. This precise scenario is predicted in the Old Testament, in the context of the last days. Over and over. It is what we see going on right now. Remember: what we read in the Bible is what we see in the real world.

As more and more prophecy is fulfilled, who is it that has really checked a brain at the door?

Prophecy students and teachers are not Stan Laurel’s famous bumbling character. They are more like Stan Laurel himself: a sophisticated, gifted, smart man who understood human nature.