The Bible

[kittylover0991]

The meaning for the title for this is my constant questioning of what the bible should mean to us.. how we should view it. Many times, the pastor gets up and says, "The bible is not just a book of stories." Well, what is it? I know it is God's Word, and I know it is perfect as God promised that He would preserved it, and as God Himself is perfect, but how should we view what the bible is? In another post, someone said it is a History Book and someone else said it to living and therefore cannot be history. People say it is means nothing(which I know is not true) and many say that the letters to the New Testament churches do not apply to churches today. Many say they do. Can anyone help?

[EricH]

At a simple level the Bible is God's way of revealing what He wants people to do to get into a relationship with Him. It is filled with all kinds of literature from history, to poems, to letters.

[Keith]

There are sayings like these: "The Bible is God's love letter to us." or BIBLE stands for Basic Instructions Before Leaving Earth. (It doesn't literally stand for that, but it's a cute analogy.)

You are going to hear a lot of different opinions by a lot of different people because not everyone is the same. Some are Christians and some are not. In my opinion, this is what the Bible is/means to us....

The Bible isn't a history book (although it contains history), a scientific journal (although it contains scientific information), or a study of human psychology (although it helps us to understand mankind). It's a description God gave to man about who He is and what His desires and plans for mankind are. The most significant part of this book is the story of man's separation from God by sin, and God's provision for restoring that fellowship through Jesus' sacrifice on the cross. It's about God wanting us to be reconciled with Him.

The Bible is completely true. There is no error in it because it was God-breathed. The book itself is not to be worshiped but it's to be regarded as God's actual words to show us how to live, how to know Him, what His plans are for us now and in the future, and how to be reconciled with Him. The Bible is a gift, a physical resource, that God has given to us that points the way to eternal life with Him.

[Remnant]

I think that Jesus said it best,"Joh 5:39 Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me". the scriptures are not about eternal life, although the Way is given. its about Jesus. Every story...every letter and every history is concerned with jesus. The whole bible tells us about Jesus.

[abbershay]

And its more the bible is multidimentional. There isnt anything in the bible without reason. Even the spaces between the words have meaning.

Every person who has ever lived is encoded into it. We have the basics i think but it is far more than anyone can fathom.

[Bolts]

Hi kittylover0991

In reading your bible, what has stood out for you?

The bible is the number one selling book and has been read over many many generations.

It is responsible for giving people, hope, confidence, identity, courage, consistency and purpose. It also condemns wrong doing.

If you sought through it, you will start to develop a picture of the bible for yourself and what it means to you. Please do post your finding, I would love to know what you have discovered.

[Fiosh]

I once heard it put this way, "The Bible is a window into the mind of God".

I would also add........"into the heart of God."

Peace,

Fiosh

[Guest shiloh357]

What is the Bible?

Here is a short definition from the "Baptist Faith and Message." I think it is easy to understand, yet thorough in its definition.

The Holy Bible was written by men divinely inspired and is God's revelation of Himself to man. It is a perfect treasure of divine instruction. It has God for its author, salvation for its end, and truth, without any mixture of error, for its matter. Therefore, all Scripture is totally true and trustworthy. It reveals the principles by which God judges us, and therefore is, and will remain to the end of the world, the true center of Christian union, and the supreme standard by which all human conduct, creeds, and religious opinions should be tried. All Scripture is a testimony to Christ, who is Himself the focus of divine revelation.

Exodus 24:4; Deuteronomy 4:1-2; 17:19; Joshua 8:34; Psalms 19:7-10; 119:11,89,105,140; Isaiah 34:16; 40:8; Jeremiah 15:16; 36:1-32; Matthew 5:17-18; 22:29; Luke 21:33; 24:44-46; John 5:39; 16:13-15; 17:17; Acts 2:16ff.; 17:11; Romans 15:4; 16:25-26; 2 Timothy 3:15-17; Hebrews 1:1-2; 4:12; 1 Peter 1:25; 2 Peter 1:19-21.

[Keith]

The Holy Bible was written by men divinely inspired and is God's revelation of Himself to man. It is a perfect treasure of divine instruction. It has God for its author, salvation for its end, and truth, without any mixture of error, for its matter. Therefore, all Scripture is totally true and trustworthy. It reveals the principles by which God judges us, and therefore is, and will remain to the end of the world, the true center of Christian union, and the supreme standard by which all human conduct, creeds, and religious opinions should be tried. All Scripture is a testimony to Christ, who is Himself the focus of divine revelation.

Exodus 24:4; Deuteronomy 4:1-2; 17:19; Joshua 8:34; Psalms 19:7-10; 119:11,89,105,140; Isaiah 34:16; 40:8; Jeremiah 15:16; 36:1-32; Matthew 5:17-18; 22:29; Luke 21:33; 24:44-46; John 5:39; 16:13-15; 17:17; Acts 2:16ff.; 17:11; Romans 15:4; 16:25-26; 2 Timothy 3:15-17; Hebrews 1:1-2; 4:12; 1 Peter 1:25; 2 Peter 1:19-21.

Wow, cased closed! Next question?

[nebula]

This is the entire quote that I use in my signature:

"The Bible is not an owner