Back To Basics: The Bible - Book Of Books Series

What is the Bible?

Bible means “book.” But what kind of book is the Bible?

Some think it is a record of religious striving toward encounters with God an essentially human book. Traditionally, the Christian church has seen the Bible as more than this, the Bible is viewed as the written Word of God.

The first words of the book show that God is the leading character of this divine autobiography: “In the beginning God . . .”

The pages of the Bible show us God taking the initiative, giving us information about himself and revealing His purposes for us His creation. How we view the Bible is crucial because it holds the key to knowing for certain that God exists.

And how can we know-about him if He does exist? Clearly, our finite minds cannot penetrate God’s infinity. Job’s friend asked him,

“Can you fathom the mysteries of God? Can you probe the limits of the Almighty?” (Job 11:7). The answers come with a resounding “yes” through God’s self-revelation, the Bible.

Psalm 119:89-96

89 Your word, O LORD, is eternal;

it stands firm in the heavens.

90 Your faithfulness continues through all generations;

you established the earth, and it endures.

91 Your laws endure to this day,

for all things serve you.

92 If your law had not been my delight,

I would have perished in my affliction.

93 I will never forget your precepts,

for by them you have preserved my life.

94 Save me, for I am yours;

I have sought out your precepts.

95 The wicked are waiting to destroy me,

but I will ponder your statutes.

96 To all perfection I see a limit;

but your commands are boundless.

The Bible is book is the bestselling book in all of history and has been translated into more languages than any other book.

In the Bible, His chosen instrument, God unfolds for us His true character. Through everyday human histories He tells us where we came from, what our ultimate destiny is and the purpose, of our lives.

He gives practical instructions, heart-thumping encouragements, warnings and divine wisdom. All from our Creator.

Here God’s unrivalled power and integrity are also unveiled.

The people God used to record His words were themselves uncommonly moved by them. They said the Word of God is

 honey in my mouth (Ezekiel 3:3)

 spiritual food for the hungry (Job 21:12)

 dwelling in me richly (Colossians 3:16)

 a lamp for my feet (Psalm 119:105)

 a joy and delight to my heart (Jeremiah 15:16)

 renewing my mind (Romans 12:12)

 a fire that burns in my heart (Jeremiah 20:9)

 more precious than gold (Psalm 19:10)

 sharper than a two-edged sword (Hebrews 4:12)

 a great reward (Psalm 19:11)

 true and righteous (Psalm 119:160)

 penetrating my thoughts and attitudes (Hebrews 4:12)

 perfect and trustworthy (Psalm 19:7)

Someone once told me, “When I read the Bible, I fall asleep.” He overlooked the fact that it was the God of the universe who spoke these words. When we catch hold of this truth, the words fly off the pages and are life-changing.

Why do we need the Bible, in today’s society?

Today our need for the Bible, Gods Word, is more important than ever. Our world is full of ideas that are in some cases well intentioned, but challenge the time-honoured concepts of the God of the Bible.

Ideas such as “All religions lead to Heaven” and “There are many ways” come from every side. Relativism has taken over, denying the possibility of one truth source; post modernism has arrived, bringing its classic morality; secularism joins in exalting existential experience.

GOD UNMASKED

By contrast, God the Creator has revealed himself unmasked himself, as we would to a friend, He has done this in several ways.

Nature and the entire cosmos blare the message of a powerful Designer.

Our natural world, from the most minute atom, to the complexities of molecular DNA and RNA, to the innumerable galaxies all shout the Designer’s intelligence.

“For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities His eternal power and divine nature have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made” (Romans 1:20).

“The heavens declare the glory of God. . . . There is no speech or language where their voice is not heard” (Psalm 19:1,3).

Through history God has revealed himself, particularly in His dealings with Israel and the nations surrounding it. Such Old Testament expressions as “Then Manasseh knew that the LORD is God” (2 Chronicles 13:13) reflect recognition of God because of His activity in the affairs of individuals and nations.

Isaiah 63:8-9 pictures God’s persistent reaching out to Israel: “Surely they are my people, sons who will not be false to me”; and so He became their Saviour. In all their distress He too was distressed, and the angel of his presence saved them. In his love and mercy he redeemed them; he lifted them up and carried them all the days of old.