It Isn't What They Think It Is

God's word, the Bible, isn't what many have been led to believe it is.

The Bible isn't a list of burdensome rules to follow (although there are rules!); it isn't a handbook of one-liner answers to life's problems (although it does have all answers to life's problems); it isn't a collection of feel-good, warm-fuzzy anecdotes and mushy poetry (although there are passages that make us feel loved, worthy, and useful); it isn't an anthology of bedtime stories (although it has some great stories to read at bedtime and any time).

The Bible, strictly speaking isn't a history book, though it does recount a partial history of God's interaction with His creation, mankind. It is, however, historically accurate. Where critics have doubted the existence of certain nations (Hittites) and individuals (King David, Pontius Pilate), archaeologists and historians have discovered evidence outside the Bible to confirm Bible accuracy. Lacking extra-Biblical evidence, skeptics denied the existence of Pontius Pilate, the Roman governor who delivered Jesus over to be crucified until 1961, when a stone was discovered in the ancient port city of Caesarea bearing an inscription containing the name of Pilate. Before 1993 there was no evidence outside the Bible confirming (for skeptics) the existence of King David, until excavations at Tel Dan revealed a basalt stone bearing the words "House of David" and "King of Israel."

The Bible is also not a science book, although it is scientifically sound when it comes to the scientific matters it mentions. Consider among many similar examples, the Bible accurately describes the shape of the earth and its position in space -- hanging "on nothing" (Job 26:7) with "empty space" to the north (a reference to there being fewer stars in the northern sky as compared to other directions).

What then is the Bible? While it touches on many topics, it is primarily a book about God, His creation, and His will for and interaction with that creation. It is therefore, also about us. It is the only book inspired by God, giving us all things we need to know and do "pertaining to life and godliness" (2 Peter 1:3).

Being inspired by God to teach us about Him and about ourselves, the Bible also is about sin--its cause, its consequences, and its cure. The inspired Bible writers do not gloss over their own mistakes and shortcomings (see Moses, Numbers 20:7-13; Asaph, Psalm 73; Jonah, Jonah 1:1-3; Matthew, Matthew 26:56). The unflattering truth about sinners is presented, whether they are rulers, leaders, or followers (Ezekiel 34:1-10; 2 Chronicles 36:15-16; 1 Corinthians 1:10-13; 2 Timothy 2:16-8; 4:10).