Before engaging in an in depth study of the Bible one must first ask what he believes about the Bible. How he views Scripture and the presuppositions he brings with him will dramatically influence how he will read and interpret its contents. The importance of sorting out these questions is of even greater importance to the Christian scholar and minister. Responsible for the spiritual welfare of the congregations that are entrusted to them by the Lord, it is crucial that ministers cling to four basic beliefs about the Bible: the Bible is God’s Living Word, God is the theme of the Bible, the Bible is to be believed, and the focus of the Bible is on Christ.
The Bible is not just a book. It is not simply a sociological book on ethics. It is more than the collections of wise sayings. The Bible is the Word of God. Before even opening the Scriptures one must first reckon himself with this statement. There is no middle stance that can be taken or moderate position to be held. Either one believes the Bible to be of the divine Creator or not. While the numerous proofs demonstrate the historical reliability of the Bible it is ultimately a question of faith in which the Christian minister must answer, “yes.”
How can one be expected to believe its contents if he does not believe in the general precept that the Bible comes from God? Further, how can he expect his flock to believe in it if he does not? The Bible not only testifies to the works of the Triune God in antiquity but also testifies to His ministry today. The Bible is the living Word of God. Because God is unchanging and sovereign He continues to reveal Himself both to the Church and individuals by means of the Holy Scriptures. In order for its teachings to hold relevance it must be a living and constant revelation of God. If the Bible is not the Word of God and it is not the source of daily revelation of the Godhead then the Christian faith is worthless and foolishness. One cannot expect to have any significant engagement with the text or to receive the Spirit’s guidance in reading it without first approaching the Bible in faith in its source and importance as the living Word of God.
The theme of the Bible, for that matter, is God. The Scriptures begin, “In the beginning God…” From the outset it is made extremely clear that the entire body of Scripture is about one thing: God. Through all the narrative accounts and poetry of the Old Testament to the Gospel of Jesus Christ and the apostles’ epistles God remains the central focus. The Bible is a story of God redeeming man and reconciling him unto Himself. It is not about man finding salvation but about the One who provides that salvation and goes to immeasurable lengths in order to ensure it.
If one misses the message that the Bible is God’s revelation of Himself to man then the Bible will simply turn into another self-help book. Salvation is not about what man does for himself, but rather about the self-bearing curse God endures for the sake of man. The message is unchanging and unwavering throughout Scripture. God is holy, righteous, and just. Man is sinful, corrupt, and lost. From Genesis to Revelation the reader is reminded both of man’s attempts to control his own fate and save himself as well as his inability to do so. God, however, is mighty to save! He assumes all the responsibility and works in His infinite love and sovereignty to reconcile man unto Himself. He is at the center of the stage of history. He is in the spotlight. The Bible is about God.
Since the Bible then is from God and about God, it should be believed. As aforementioned the Bible has been demonstrated to be historically valid. The Christian can read it with confidence knowing that its contents have been faithfully transmitted through the generations. More importantly it should be believed because it says so. The Bible does not shy away from confessing and illustrating its divine inspiration and inerrancy (2 Tim. 3:16). God gave the Bible to man so that man could know Him. Therefore, in addition to simply believing its contents to be true, the faithful minister of God must obey the commandments in Scripture and proclaim them to his congregation. Belief in the Bible only goes as far as it impacts the life of the believer.
Ultimately, the Bible focuses on Jesus Christ. In all things throughout Scripture Christ plays an active role. Whether in the Genesis account of Creation or in the Revelation prophecy of establishing a new earth and new heaven, all things are made and sustained through Christ. As aforementioned the theme is the Bible is God’s reconciling work of man unto Himself. Jesus Christ is the person who fulfills that work. As early as Genesis 3 the Bible anticipates the coming of Jesus Christ. The Incarnation, life, death, and resurrection of Christ is its climax. The establishment of Christ as the Forever King on a Forever Throne in the end times is its conclusion. The Bible points to Christ as the Saviour and Sustainer of mankind. Fully God and fully man Christ exemplifies and makes known the things of the Father. He is the medium by which man approaches God and recognizing His place in the Bible is fundamental and foundational to the teaching and application of the Bible.
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