Over the last few weeks, we have talked about the importance of how we understand Scripture. We looked at the question of how we know that the Bible is the Word of God and why it is important that we come to the text with the understanding that the Bible is inerrant and infallible. As the answer to question three of the Westminster Larger Catechism states, "The Holy Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments are the Word of God, the only rule of faith and obedience." Paul, in one of his letters, emphasizes this by telling his protege Timothy, "All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work" (2 Timothy 3:16-17). As we move on to the next question of the catechism, it is worth taking a moment to talk about how the catechism is structured. The questions are put forward in a way that they build upon one another. In other words, each question asks the next logical question. For example, question three asks, "What is the Word of God," and question four follows it up by asking, "How does it appear that the Scriptures are the Word of God." The question we are going to be digging into today continues the idea by asking what the purpose of scripture is.
Question #5
Question five asks,
"What do the Scriptures principally teach?"
Put another way, the question asks what is the main idea of scripture. Is the Bible a book that teaches us how to have a better life? Many see the Bible simply as a moral framework or a foundation for ethical living. Others look at Scripture as simply a collection of historical writings (many believing that its history is mythical) and proverbial wisdom. Simply put, there are a lot of misconceptions about what the Bible primarily teaches. The Catechism helps by answering the question with,
The Scriptures principally teach, what man is to believe concerning God, and what duty God requires of man.
There are two parts to the answer. The order of the two parts is important. Our duty to God comes out of how we understand who he is. If we have the first part wrong, then we are never going to get the second part correct. An error that many fall into concerning the purpose of Scripture is believing that Scripture is primarily about us. We are seen as the main character. This can be seen in the way that people will read the various passages of the Bible as being spoken to them. Promises made to one group are taken as universal promises. Cultural Christianity is particularly guilty of this error. Most of you have probably met someone, or at least heard of someone, who believes that the United States has become the people of God. The catechism helps us to understand why this is such an error.
What Man is to Believe
The first part of the answer highlights that the primary purpose of Scripture is to reveal God to us. We are told in Romans that nature is enough to teach us that there is a God. Specifically, Paul tells us, "For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse" (Romans 1:20). However, the truth that God exists and is powerful does nothing to teach us about his grace in salvation. That truth is something that only comes through scripture. More generally, the whole of Scripture is a story of how God created the world and then worked through history to bring about redemption through his Son. The people of Israel are not called to be the people of God because they are better than anyone else but are chosen to show God's glory. As you work your way through the pages of Scripture, more and more is revealed about the nature of God. In the first couple of chapters, some aspects of God's nature are clear, such as his goodness, his creativity, his unending power, and his mercy. Further on, we are taught things like that he does not change. All of this is given to us so that we have a right understanding of who God is. In the next post, we will look at what exactly the Scriptures teach us about the nature of God, but for now, we need to understand that the primary purpose of Scripture is to reveal God to us. The Lord is the main character, not us.
What is Required
We are told who the Lord is so that we can truly love him. Love is an important aspect of how we understand what is going on here. Love requires knowledge. In our culture, it is common for love to be used as merely a feeling. Infatuation and attraction are seen as love. People say they love someone without knowing anything about them. But when we stop to think about that for a moment, things start to fall apart. If I were to tell you that what I love about my wife is her lovely red hair and her outgoing nature, anyone who has met my wife would easily recognize that those things do not describe her. Anyone would be right to question if I truly loved my wife. The same is true concerning the Lord. How can we say we love the Lord while not knowing anything about him? So first, we must understand who he is, and then we can understand better how we are to respond to him. This ordering of things is also seen in Jesus' statement that, "If you love me, you will keep my commandments" (John 14:15). We find what is commanded throughout Scripture.
Summary
When it comes to our approach towards something, especially in the context of Scripture, the lens through which we view its purpose holds significant weight. Our perception of the Bible's purpose not only shapes but also dictates how we engage with its teachings and derive interpretations from them. If we view the Scriptures as a narrative solely revolving around us, we inadvertently place ourselves at the center, prioritizing our desires and aspirations. In this perspective, our earthly contentment becomes the ultimate objective, overshadowing the true essence of the text. However, a fundamental shift in perspective is imperative. Scripture fundamentally serves as a revelation of God to humanity. It is through the pages of the Bible that we encounter the divine nature and character of God, gaining insights into His will and purposes. Understanding that the primary focus of Scripture is to unveil the nature of God and illuminate His divine attributes redirects our attention from self-centeredness to God-centeredness. Therefore, the essence of sound doctrine lies in acknowledging that Scripture is a testimony to God's sovereignty, faithfulness, and love toward His creation. It is a narrative that underscores God's redemptive plan and His pursuit of glorifying Himself while ensuring the well-being of His people. Embracing this perspective not only enriches our understanding of Scripture but also guides us in discerning how we are called to respond to God's revelation. As believers, we are entrusted with the responsibility to uphold the truths conveyed in Scripture and to pass them on to others. The mandate to make disciples of all nations encompasses not only sharing the Gospel but also teaching the profound truth that Scripture is a testament to God's magnificence and His salvific work. By emphasizing that the Bible is centered on God and His glory, we align ourselves with the divine purpose of Scripture and invite others to partake in the transformative journey of knowing and serving the Lord.
Soli Deo Gloria
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