What is the Purpose of the Bible?

 

Big Idea: The Bible is written to communicate that God seeks human partnership with those who trust Him, and these are like sign posts toward Jesus. 

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“Ask Anything About the Bible” is our newest blog series. Normally questions are solicited from people I meet. This first question is one I hear sometimes and thought would be a good first question. 

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The Bible is a large, amazing book

The Bible is a huge tome of writings designed to communicate who God is and His desire to partner with human beings who trust Him.

This remarkable book has over 30 different writers of various nationalities and backgrounds covering about a 1000 year period.

As a total work it is mind boggling that its themes and subthemes are in sync with each other in spite of the wide variety of authors covering a wide time frame.

Each book has sign posts that point to Jesus who is in the Old Testament as part of God’s activity, but specifically as God’s Son born into humanity in the New Testament.

The Bible itself claims it was written by human beings inspired by God.

20 Above all, you must realize that no prophecy in Scripture ever came from the prophet’s own understanding, 21 or from human initiative. No, those prophets were moved by the Holy Spirit, and they spoke from God. 2 Peter 1:20-21 NLT

In the Beginning

Genesis, the name of the first book of the Bible, means beginnings. It introduces God as the creator of the universe.

Man and woman were created, introduced to God, and invited to partner with Him in naming the animals and taking care of the world.

Man and woman walked and talked with God. It set the ideal precedent.

Genesis shows numerous beginnings. 

Those who spurned trusting God and working with Him found themselves free to do as they wish. But that lifestyle led to a lot of heartache and pain. Many became mean and evil without any guardrails of morality.

It became obvious that human beings are stubborn and bent toward badness. We see God’s sadness at how bad things got so quickly after Creation.

The LORD observed the extent of human wickedness on the earth, and he saw that everything they thought or imagined was consistently and totally evil. 6 So the LORD was sorry he had ever made them and put them on the earth. It broke his heart.  Genesis 6:5-6 NLT

Partnering with People

Throughout the book of Genesis, God reached out to human beings, inviting them to trust Him and work with Him. For example, Adam and Eve, Noah and Abraham.

The people whose stories are featured have real flaws and issues. We see faith as a work in progress, like Abraham for example.

The Bible shows God revealing Himself progressively, coming alongside those who trust Him, and guiding them.

The purpose of the Bible is to show us how to find and appreciate God's love for us.

The purpose plainly stated

This Bible verse tells us plainly how the Bible helps us in this Bible verse.

All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right. 2 Timothy 3:16 NLT

To follow the list in the verse with a simile:

• It teaches us what is true.
• It makes us realize what is wrong. Like looking in a mirror and seeing the smudge on our face.
• It corrects us when we are wrong. Like looking in a mirror and verifying we are removing it.
• It teaches us to do what is right. Like following a YouTube video how to remove a stain.

The benefit

The benefit of reading the Bible provides great comfort as we bring our problems to God and find all we need for a fulfilled life from reading the Bible.

Joyful are people of integrity,
who follow the instructions of the Lord.
Joyful are those who obey his laws
and search for him with all their hearts. Psalm 119: 1-2 NLT

Have a questions to submit? email DianeWido@scripturespy.com or post it on https://www.facebook.com/scripturespy

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Up next: The DaVinci Code: Why were numerous books not included in the Bible?
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Reflect: 

This blog asserts that the Creator of the Universe wants to partner with human beings. It may seem preposterous, but consider this an exercise.  If God came to you and told you that, how would you respond?