Reading the Bible

Have you ever thought about reading the Bible, but weren’t sure where to start? This book does two things really well. It helps the reader understand the value and benefits of reading the Bible and explains the purpose and meaning of the various books.

The author is a Christian Bible professor. He believes the historic Christian view that the Bible is a one-of-a-kind book, divinely inspired. Meaning, even though about 40 authors wrote it, God was the one who moved them to write it, using their diverse circumstances, abilities, and writing styles, directing every word that would be written.

Against this, some say that it’s absurd or even dangerous to claim that God wrote a book for us. Many have claimed that other books or teachings are inspired or authoritative, leading to terrible deeds. Moreover, Christians have used the Bible to justify unjust acts and violence, even against each other.

But one has only to pick up the Bible and give it a serious read to know that it’s a special book, one that helps us make sense of reality and history, and enlightens in stunning and shocking ways.

During the time when the New Testament books were identified, and the fall of the Roman Empire, an African bishop named Augustine wrote a book titled The City of God. (Perhaps the greatest book outside of the Bible.) Using the Bible and reason, he argued that the City of God and the ways of God (revealed in creation and the Bible) are superior to the cities and ways of all earthly kingdoms, even though many of them are great.

This conviction and belief led to an unprecedented rise in enlightenment and human flourishing in the West.

The Bible reveals that God has communicated with us in beneficial ways, and in ways we can understand: through creation, through Scripture, and through Jesus Christ (Psalm 19, 2 Timothy 3:16-17, Hebrews 1:1-2), for our happiness and God’s glory.

If you want help understanding and benefiting from the Bible’s teaching on how to live the good life with God, I recommend this book.