The Bible
What makes the Bible so different to other religious books?
There are many differences – I would like to highlight one.
In contrast to the many religious books that are revered and
recited, the Bible is a collection of 66 books written over a period of 1500
years by many different people. Instantly that means a variety of contexts,
variety of languages, variety of meanings, variety of circumstances which need
to be investigated to achieve clarity. For example the writing of Daniel is
different to the story of Abraham. A casual reading of the Bible will clarify
the historical narrative covering many years.
More than textual
investigation, the Bible invites meditation. Not meditation that empties the
mind of reason, but rather taking time to understand the meaning of it’s
teaching. Some is moral teaching about how to live, some spiritual teaching
about connecting with God. Other sections encourage people to investigate the
natural world around us – to look up into the starry sky, to study the animals
and learn from their ways. Thus science pursues the wonder of what God has made.
Again the Bible encourages education – reading , writing,
mathematics, science, music, agriculture. More than just repetitive existence (doing
what forebears did) , the Bible inspires people to rise to a deeper
understanding of what life is all about.
Jesus described the Old Testament and His teaching as the Word
of God. He described the best response to hearing it, like seed that falls into
the good soil and with sunshine and moisture, springs up into a multiplying
plant. He explained it Himself - “this represents
good hearted people who hear God’s message and understand it”. (Matthew
13). Why did I emphasize ‘understand’ – because I have met so many people
reciting, reciting, reciting without understanding.
In fact the whole period of
Jesus teaching was filled with questions to HIM and from HIM. He wanted
the faith of the people to be rooted in understanding – not just memorising,
reciting or revering.
And so the directive was given to young Timothy – “ Study”.
I become very stressed by the cultures I interact with, where
questions are our of order, investigation is forbidden and education is denied
.
I encourage all to use the opportunity to search the Holy
Scripture and discover the Lord God revealed in the unique person of Jesus
Christ the Lord.
Bible are available free from
johnmckee@internode.on.net
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