Making Sense of the Bible #1

I never knew a time in my life without the Bible. For that I am eternally grateful to godly parents whose marriage, child-rearing, social, and work ethic were all shaped by biblical principles. Unfortunately and to my regret, that doesn’t mean growing up I always read the Bible or lived what I knew the Bible taught. When I finally “came to myself,” realizing the colossal mess I had let sin make of my life, I knew where to turn. No one had to suggest to me, “Read the Bible.” I knew from godly parents it was the place to start. It never occurred to me to have to ask, “How do I read the Bible or what is the Bible about?” I had grown up with a better than average knowledge of the Bible.

Here is my point. Many people today believe there is a God of some sort and by worldly standards they would be considered morally good. However, unlike me, they have never known a time with the Bible. If they have any interest in the Bible and you just hand them one they will probably ask, “How should I read the Bible?”

In the next few “Let Your Light Shine” articles, I want to talk with you about how to read/study the Bible. Let me make one point in preparation for these upcoming studies about the uniqueness of the Bible. Carefully consider these facts and their implications; The Bible as a book was compiled over a period of some 1600 years by some 40 different authors from all walks of life living in differing places and circumstances. This time-span included over 60 generations, and three different languages were used to convey its message (Hebrew, Aramaic, and Greek). The theme or message of these writers contains no contradictions either in their recording of historical events, places or people. Much of the writing of these men, over this vast period of time, included highly controversial subjects and yet in their teaching they remain united and in complete harmony with one another from the earliest to the last writer. Thus, the Bible stands unique among all other religious thought and writing, not only for these facts, but for so many others too numerous to mention here. Understanding these few facts one should approach the Bible with deep respect for its uniqueness alone because it provides a rational clue to the only sensible explanation of its origin. Read your Bible and let your light shine!