1C - The Bible as a source of wisdom and authority in daily life Flashcards
What is the Bible?
The English word Bible comes from the Greek words ta biblia – ‘the books’.
The Old Testament originally written in Hebrew – Protestant Bibles have 39 OT books. Catholic + Orthodox have 46.
The New Testament was written in Greek, it has 27 books.
The Bible can be considered as a library – books of poetry, law, history and theology.
The Bible as a guide to everyday life
The Bible has a practical and dynamic purpose – aims to guide readers in their daily living
For example through obedience to the laws such as the Ten Commandments
Psalm 119 - How can a young person stay on the path of purity? By living according to your word. I seek you with all my heart; do not let me stray from your commands. I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sinagainst you.Praise beto you,Lord; teach meyour decrees. With my lips I recount all the laws that come from your mouth. I rejoice in following your statutes as one rejoices in great riches. I meditate on your precepts and consider your ways. I delightin your decrees; I will not neglect your word.
Christians believe the purpose of the Old Testament is to point towards Jesus – the true guide to Christian living is not the Bible but Jesus himself. They are saved not through their behaviour but through faith in Jesus. However true faith in turn will lead to a special kind of behaviour inspired by the love of God.
Jesus does not give a detailed list of regulations or commands to live by – instead instructing his followers to follow him in obedience to God.
In the Sermon on the Mount Jesus says he has come to fulfil the law of Moses – sets standards of conduct and righteousness that exceeds the standards of Jewish society – he quotes six of God’s OT commandments and reveals God’s true intention with each, demanding a higher standard of holiness from his followers.
Christians today are not obliged to follow strict OT laws – instead they are called to be free, perfect freedom however comes through obedience to God’s will.
The Bible`s teaching on the meaning and purpose of life
The Bible is not a systematic essay on the meaning and purpose of life – instead better seen as an account of how God deal with a variety of people over time – God’s plan to save human beings from sin – ‘salvation history’.
For Christians there is no meaning in life apart from God, because God is life.
Every person is created in the image of God and created for eternity.
Ultimate meaning is to be found in relationship with Jesus – the purpose of human life is to find him, know him and to do his will, serving and obeying him.
Christians believe in Jesus will share his resurrection and eventually receive the ultimate reward of eternal life.
The Bible as a source of comfort and encouragement
The Bible deals with timeless elements of human nature. It portrays men and women with whom Christians can identify.
It also portrays a God whose love for human beings does not change from age to age.
It can provide encouragement and comfort through it’s portrayal of genuine situations, the response of God’s people whether good or bad
On temptation and sin it shows that even the most devout people will fail but if there is repentance, God will forgive.
On bereavement it teaches that death is not the end. Christians believe that death is only temporary.
On poverty it teaches that the poor should be treated equitably, Jesus understood the reality of poverty and stressed the need to give to the poor and provide for them.
On suffering it teaches that when handled in a joyful and Godly way can be a testimony to the power of God at work through his people. Suffering can help people to maintain a spirit of humility, empathy with others and reliance on God.
On the fear of death it teaches that Jesus has conquered death so that humans who believe in him may share in his resurrection.
The Bible therefore has much to offer to believers on grief arising from temptation and sin, bereavement, poverty, suffering and death
