The Bible . . .

The Bible is NOT

-a moral rule book (though it has moral rules in it),

-a doctrinal handbook (though it has doctrines in it),

-a historical presentation (though there is much history in it),

-an inspirational, thought-for-the-day guide (though it has some uplifting thoughts),

-a way to be happy or live a better life, (though if you redefine “happy” and “better” it might work for that),

-a way to run a government, it’s a book for God’s people, Israel and church,

-a set of signs allowing us to predict the future of the very end of the word (though it has unexpected but definite teaching about an “end times” that are not at all what you think),

-a talisman for discerning one’s fortune, the Bible itself prohibits that kind of us.

The Bible IS the story of God’s pursuit of his eternal purpose, to have a world of human beings to live together with in shalom forever, through the family of Abraham and the church, who announce the news of God’s plan and call all to claim the dignity of their creation and vocation as equal participants in and through Jesus Christ – the source, center, and goal of God’s plan.