The good book

Read 2 Timothy 2:15

Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved by him,a worker who has no need to be ashamed,rightly explaining the word of truth. (NLT)

Some Christians talk about the Bible in a way that suggests the Bible is what gets you to heaven. The Holy Trinity has become Father,Son,and Holy Scripture. Having exalted the Bible to the status of an idol,they then proceed to offer ‘interesting’ interpretations of it that are reflections of their own passions and prejudices.

The Bible is always a signpost,pointing to something greater than itself. A sign pointing to our holiday destination is important,but it is our destination that really matters. The Bible points to God,especially through Jesus. Knowing the Bible is helpful inasmuch as it helps us know God and Jesus.

And if we get the Bible wrong,chances are we get God and Jesus wrong. We become consumed by certain bits of the Bible and conveniently ignore other bits. We read the Bible without considering it is an ancient text written within a culture very different to our own. In other words,we fail to heed Paul’s instructions to Timothy-that we work hard at grasping the Bible’s message and clearly explain it.

The Bible is not a quarry from which we extract our hobbyhorses,or a mysterious text that reveals secret truths to an elite few. It is a place where we find God and find Jesus. It is a means to this end. Thus it is very important-but ultimately not most important.

Blessings
David Reay