Bible

The Bible is a book of many parts, written over the space of a thousand years or so; by many different authors; some Hebrew, some Greek; some identified, some unidentified. Yet there is a cohesion to it that has been evident to its readers for two millenia.

It tells many stories: of creation; of patriarchs; of the founding, flourishing, and falling of a particular nation; of the life of one singular historical figure; of the lives of his followers. And yet it essentially tells one story: that of a singular God reaching out to mankind–through indviduals, through prophets, through a nation, through the incarnation of his own Son, though the work of the Spirit.

At times it can be inspirational to read. At times challenging. At times confusing. Its worldview is not naturally our worldview; its sense of right and wrong not always our sense of right and wrong; its priorities not our priorities. It’s not interested in us living our best lives now, at least not in the sense we tend to think of that. It’s interested in us becoming God’s children and learning to live as part of his family.

Paul, writing of those to whom we was ministering, wrote of what it takes to fully understand the message of the scriptures:

My goal is that they may be encouraged in heart and united in love, so that they may have the full riches of complete understanding, in order that they may know the mystery of God, namely, Christ, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. (Colossians 2:2-3)

We can read the Bible to learn things. We can read the Bible to learn about what Christ has done. But to fully understand it, we need to get into its mindset. To get into its mindset, we have to be transformed by what we read, by the person about whom we are reading, the God-man who gave his life for us, and who represents everything we most deeply long for.

Whoever has my commands and keeps them is the one who loves me. The one who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I too will love them and show myself to them. (John 14:21)