The Bible
The best description of the Bible and its significance I have seen is provided by Dr. J. Vernon McGee in the introduction to his five volume set of "Thru the Bible."[1] I would like to share with you some of his thinking on the subject of the Bible and how to study it. He starts by answering some very important questions. Below are excerpts from his introduction to those books.
Is the Bible Important?
"The Bible is probably the most maligned Book that ever has been written. It has been attacked as no other book has ever been attacked. Yet it has ministered and does minister to literally millions of people around the globe, and it has been doing this now for several thousand years. A Book of this nature and with this tremendous impact upon the human family certainly deserves the intelligent consideration of men and women."
In What Way Is the Bible Unique?
"In many ways the Bible is a most unusual Book. For instance, it has a dual authorship. In other words, God is the Author of the Bible, and in another sense man is the author of the Bible. Actually, the Bible was written by about forty authors over a period of approximately fifteen hundred years. Some of these men never heard of the others, and there was no collusion among the forty. Two or three of them could have gotten together, but the other could not have known each other. And yet they presented a Book that has the most marvelous continuity of any book that has ever been written. Also, it is without error. Each author expressed his own feelings in his own generation. Each has his limitations, and made his mistakes-poor old Moses made mistakes, but when he was writing the Pentateuch, somehow or other no mistakes got in there. You see, it is a human Book and yet it is a God-Book."
How Do You Know the Bible Is From God?
This is a good question, and it should be answered. Dr. McGee gives five objective proofs. (1) The first is the "Preservation" of the Bible. It has stayed in existence even after many attempts to destroy it. For many years it was the best seller, but it is not today. (2) "Another way in which we know the Bible is the word of God is through archaeology. The spade of the archaeologist has turned up many things that have proven that this Book is the Word of God." Archaeologist have proven that writing was in existence in Moses' day. (3) Fulfilled prophecy is one proof that you can't escape. The Bible is full of fulfilled prophecy. There are many examples of where prophecy has been fulfilled exactly. Other prophecy is to be fulfilled in the future. The study of prophecy is very exciting indeed. (4) The objective proof that means the most to me is the one I have personally experienced, it transforms lives. The Bible works, people who read and study the Bible change, this change is evident in the lives of many today. (5) I know it is the Word of God because the Spirit of God has made it real to me. The Bible is a book of Faith, faith in God. Mankind's spiritually is real. People have an inherent curiosity for Spiritual things. The Bible is the answer for the questions mankind is continually asking.
What is Revelation? Inspiration? Illumination? Interpretation?
"Revelation means that God has spoken and that God has communicated to man. Inspiration guarantees the revelation of God. Illumination has to do with the Spirit of God being the Teacher-He communicates. Interpretation has to do with the interpretation that you and I give to the Word of God." Every person's relationship to God is a personal and private matter. The Bible teaches that no one can earn his way to salvation. Salvation is a gift from God. A gift must be accepted. Asking God to come into your life is the first step to a relationship with Him. As you read and study the Bible the Holy Spirit will reveal God's Word to you in a way which will have meaning and influence the way you live.
Guidelines for Study...
Dr. McGee provides seven very simple, yet basic, preliminary
steps that will be a guide for the study of the Word of God.[2]
1. Begin with prayer.
2. Read the Bible.
3. Study the Bible.
4. Meditate on the Bible.
5. Read what others have written on the Bible.
6. Obey the Bible.
7. Pass it on to others.
References:
[1] "Thru the
Bible with J. Vernon McGee"; Thru
The Bible Radio, Pasadena, California;
Vol. 1,
pages ix-xiii.
[2] "Thru the
Bible with J. Vernon McGee";
Thru
The Bible Radio, Pasadena, California;
Vol. 1,
page xvii.
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