Back to Basics - January 26

We have realized that the Bible has not been the work of one author, or even one group of people.  We have also seen that ,from the first story of Moses to the last revelation of John, the time span in which the Bible was written covers more than 2000 years.  Yet with all these authors and all this time, we have not only seen a dedication to accuracy but also thought. That may be an even greater evidence to God’s divine influence on the Bible than even the fact that it still is true in word and truth to the original.

So how did that happen?  How did the combined work of over 40 authors spread over 2000 years all come down to one basic theme for one honored God?  There may be no other greater explanation for this than the fact that the Bible is inspired by God.  When we speak of inspiration we are referring to the ability of God to impress upon the mind of a writer to share His truths in their language and vernacular.  

God uses many ways to get His word across to us.  Sometimes it is very direct ,as in the case of him handing Moses the Ten Commandments on stone.  Other times it maybe be very indirect ,such as an impression or the word of another person sent to offer advice.  David, the King of Israel, many times was provided this kind of “inspiration”.

No matter how God decides to do it, the word of God is brought to us with one very crucial theme from one very loving God.  The Bible is His love letter to us in the midst of a hateful and chaotic world.  Come to class with an inquisitive mind and an open spirit.

Basic realizations after reading the Bible.

1.    I am not God; I am not the center of the universe
2.    I am not alone; there is much more going on around me than just those things that I see and hear.
3.    Salvation is the hope for humanity who are bound to a finite world.
4.    I am loved with an unending and unconditional love.
5.    This life and this world will be replaced by an everlasting one.

Questions to ponder:

What one thing do all the authors of the Bible want us to know?

What would be an underlying theme of God’s love letter to us.

If God truly wants us to follow His way of life…why do so many bad things happen to such good people?