The Bible's theme in a nutshell?

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Mem

Senior Member
Sep 23, 2014
7,163
2,177
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#21
What do you think of the following four ways to describe the theme of the whole Bible? How much of a teaching tool do you think it would be?

1. LAUNCHED--the creation of Adam and Eve.

2. LOST--Adam and Eve's rebellion (shown in humans' lives through Israel's history).

3. LOVED--Jesus' birth, life, death, and resurrection.

4. LOVING--the Christian walk with God (the early church and the letters with Jesus' rulership in Revelation).
I think a connection of the conclusion to the intro would round it up nicely. Something along the lines of "Landed," to address the holy ground Jesus established for us to walk on, a firm ground, standing, in spite of our having fallen.
 

tedincarolina

Active member
Jul 25, 2024
495
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#22
Hi @Bruce_Leiter

I would agree with others, that if you're taking the Scriptures down to the single most important them that it contains, that would be Jesus.

However, the body of the Scriptures that we hold today, tells a full and complete story of all that God has done to establish this realm of His creating. The problem of sin being allowed into this world of His creating. All the work that God has done to prove Himself to man and to provide the alternative to our lives, if we choose not to continue living in sin. Finally, how that will be resolved. And who will receive what God offers.
 

Bruce_Leiter

Active member
Feb 17, 2023
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#23
Did you mean to write "That is very succinct. Please explain."?
No, I agreed with his comment partly, but my four "l-words" point out the human part of the Bible's history and teachings as well as God's revelation of himself, since we need to deal with the part that sin had to do in human relationships with God.
 

Bruce_Leiter

Active member
Feb 17, 2023
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#24
I think a connection of the conclusion to the intro would round it up nicely. Something along the lines of "Landed," to address the holy ground Jesus established for us to walk on, a firm ground, standing, in spite of our having fallen.
Yes, I like that idea. So, it would be launched, lost, loved, landed, and loving in five steps depicting God's relationship with believers?
 

Bruce_Leiter

Active member
Feb 17, 2023
427
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#25
Hi @Bruce_Leiter

I would agree with others, that if you're taking the Scriptures down to the single most important them that it contains, that would be Jesus.

However, the body of the Scriptures that we hold today, tells a full and complete story of all that God has done to establish this realm of His creating. The problem of sin being allowed into this world of His creating. All the work that God has done to prove Himself to man and to provide the alternative to our lives, if we choose not to continue living in sin. Finally, how that will be resolved. And who will receive what God offers.
Amen!
 

Bruce_Leiter

Active member
Feb 17, 2023
427
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#27
Once again, I thought the same...

:D
Yes, it's true that the Bible says that Jesus saves; I completely agree. But it also says that the Father, Jesus, and Spirit as the one God created the universe and humans (launched), had to deal with human rebellion throughout human history (Lost), and rescued us (Loved) so that we can lead Loving lives. The Bible is God's history.
 

Bruce_Leiter

Active member
Feb 17, 2023
427
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#28
The Lord Jesus Christ is the theme of the Bible from Genesis to Revelation.

For I determined not to know any thing among you, save Jesus Christ, and him crucified...
Who verily was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you... Who by him do believe in God, that raised him up from the dead, and gave him glory; that your faith and hope might be in God.(1 Cor 2:2; 1 Pet 1:20,21)
You are right, but the Bible's history includes God's creation, human rebellion, and their rescue through Jesus. The first two events need to be part of any summary.
 

Bruce_Leiter

Active member
Feb 17, 2023
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#29
This a good topic that should produce some good answers. Since God created individuals there should be some good individual answers. For me the theme or the verse I find the bible predicated on is, Come let us make man in our image.

I find how when God says he changes not and we are not consumed because of that. It provides me why when God flooded the earth, that Noah and family was saved. God is just so consistent and unchanging, dependable and reliable. Our salvation and taking on Christ and becoming like him just again shows that God has not deviated from his plan to make us in his image.

Then in the end when we are in his image and walk in the very body that Christ has. We get the extra bonuses of a new heaven and new earth for God's plan of in his image to ever dwell with him in everlasting newness.
Thank you! My post is the product of 27 years as a pastor and 16 years as an author. It also emphasizes our relationships with God as humans and believers during his history.
 

Nehemiah6

Senior Member
Jul 18, 2017
26,074
13,777
113
#30
You are right, but the Bible's history includes God's creation, human rebellion, and their rescue through Jesus. The first two events need to be part of any summary.
The Bible's history is not the same as the actual theme of the Bible, which is Christ Himself.

Adam himself is a type of Christ, and then there are many others.

The focus of Genesis on Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and Judah are all to point to Christ.

The Abrahamic Covenant includes Christ as the "seed" of Abraham.

When the OT speaks about "the LORD God" (Yahweh Elohim) that is Christ.

When the OT speaks of "the Angel of the LORD" that is Christ.

Every feast and festival of the Law is a type of Christ.

All the prophecies in the prophets speak of Christ and His future Kingdom of God on earth. (Also His sufferings, death, burial, and resurrection).

The New Testament is all about Christ, and the epistles expand on the teachings of Christ.

Then we have Revelation which is "the revelation of Jesus Christ".

So everything else is secondary.
 

Marilyn

Well-known member
Jul 27, 2021
1,120
244
63
#33
Actually, the theme is -

`God...having made known to us the mystery of His will, according to His good pleasure which He purposes in Himself, that in the dispensation of the fullness of the times He might gather together in one all things in Christ, both of which are in heaven and which are on earth - in Hm. ` (Eph. 1: 10 & 11)

So, we ask –

1.What are the `all things?`

`Christ Jesus…….He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. For by Him all things were created that are in heaven and that are on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers. All things were created through Him and for Him.` (Col. 1: 15 & 16)

We read of the extent of `all things,` heaven and earth, with the focus on authorities – thrones, dominion, principalities and powers – God`s delegated governmental authority.

The Lord created these positions of authority, and they are for Him. Then we know from God`s word that each of these positions of authority in heaven and earth became corrupt. So how is the Lord going to restore these authorities under Himself?
 

SabbathBlessing

Well-known member
Dec 13, 2023
1,410
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#34
Sin separated man from God Isa 59:2
Jesus loved us so much, He came to take the penalty of sin Romans 3:25-26
We too must die of sin and be reborn in Christ through faith Rom 6:1-23
Through faith in and of Christ and our love for Him we are reconciled and everything is restored Rev 14:12 Rev 22:14
 

vassal

Well-known member
Jan 20, 2024
706
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#35
God created man in His own image, a reflection of divine splendor and purpose. The Almighty, in His wisdom, bestowed upon us the sacred Commandments, a beacon to guide our steps and mold our hearts. Yet, our frailty led us astray, and sin entered the world, casting shadows upon our path.
But from the heart of heaven came our Savior, Jesus, who bore the weight of our transgressions and paid the price for our sins. Through His sacrifice, the chasm between us and the Divine was bridged. Thus, the Kingdom of Heaven will be established, a realm of purity, beauty and truth where the faithful who seek it with humble hearts shall dwell in God's eternal light.
 

Bruce_Leiter

Active member
Feb 17, 2023
427
192
43
#36
The Bible's history is not the same as the actual theme of the Bible, which is Christ Himself.

Adam himself is a type of Christ, and then there are many others.

The focus of Genesis on Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and Judah are all to point to Christ.

The Abrahamic Covenant includes Christ as the "seed" of Abraham.

When the OT speaks about "the LORD God" (Yahweh Elohim) that is Christ.

When the OT speaks of "the Angel of the LORD" that is Christ.

Every feast and festival of the Law is a type of Christ.

All the prophecies in the prophets speak of Christ and His future Kingdom of God on earth. (Also His sufferings, death, burial, and resurrection).

The New Testament is all about Christ, and the epistles expand on the teachings of Christ.

Then we have Revelation which is "the revelation of Jesus Christ".

So everything else is secondary.
Interesting! If you narrow the Old Testament to Christ, who is certainly an important part of its theme, you leave out humans' sinful rebellion instigated by Satan and much of Israel's rebellious history. The history was all written by the prophets with the purpose to call Israel back to worshiping and serving the only true God, the 3-in-1 God made clearer in the New Testament by the Apostles.

In other words, the history of much of the Bible is "preaching history" that has a preaching purpose. It's not just secular history like modern history. You are right about parts of the Old Testament but not nearly all of it. My summary takes into account most if not all of it.
 

Bruce_Leiter

Active member
Feb 17, 2023
427
192
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#37
Hi Bruce,

As a simple summary that is pretty good. However, for accuracy it would be -

1.God made all things in heaven (s) and earth and delegated governmental positions. (Col. 1: 16)

2. Every position of authority in every realm had rebellion and thus will be dealt with. (2 Cor. 15: 24)

3. Christ conquered every power and authority and brought salvation to mankind. (Heb. 1: 1 - 3)

4. Christ will make all things new in every realm (3rd heaven, universe and earth) and set His delegated authority and power there. (Acts 3: 21, Rev. 3: 21, 21: 1 - 5)
Your summary is certainly true, but mine is more memorable as a teaching tool.
 

Bruce_Leiter

Active member
Feb 17, 2023
427
192
43
#38
God created man in His own image, a reflection of divine splendor and purpose. The Almighty, in His wisdom, bestowed upon us the sacred Commandments, a beacon to guide our steps and mold our hearts. Yet, our frailty led us astray, and sin entered the world, casting shadows upon our path.
But from the heart of heaven came our Savior, Jesus, who bore the weight of our transgressions and paid the price for our sins. Through His sacrifice, the chasm between us and the Divine was bridged. Thus, the Kingdom of Heaven will be established, a realm of purity, beauty and truth where the faithful who seek it with humble hearts shall dwell in God's eternal light.
Your summary is true, but mine is more memorable to make it a good teaching tool.
 

Bruce_Leiter

Active member
Feb 17, 2023
427
192
43
#39
Actually, the theme is -

`God...having made known to us the mystery of His will, according to His good pleasure which He purposes in Himself, that in the dispensation of the fullness of the times He might gather together in one all things in Christ, both of which are in heaven and which are on earth - in Hm. ` (Eph. 1: 10 & 11)

So, we ask –

1.What are the `all things?`

`Christ Jesus…….He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. For by Him all things were created that are in heaven and that are on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers. All things were created through Him and for Him.` (Col. 1: 15 & 16)

We read of the extent of `all things,` heaven and earth, with the focus on authorities – thrones, dominion, principalities and powers – God`s delegated governmental authority.

The Lord created these positions of authority, and they are for Him. Then we know from God`s word that each of these positions of authority in heaven and earth became corrupt. So how is the Lord going to restore these authorities under Himself?
My summary is designed as a preaching and teaching tool that will help the listeners remember the whole Bible's message, which has to include humans' rebellious history that is rescued through Jesus' life, death, and resurrection.
 

Bruce_Leiter

Active member
Feb 17, 2023
427
192
43
#40
What do you think of the following four ways to describe the theme of the whole Bible? How much of a teaching tool do you think it would be?

LAUNCHED--the creation of Adam and Eve as well as every human.

LOST--Adam and Eve's rebellion (also shown in humans' lives through Israel's history).

LOVED--Jesus' birth, life, death, and resurrection.

LANDED--The reversal of believers' LOST condition (suggested by a Christian Chat member)

LOVING--the Christian walk with God (the early church and the letters with Jesus' rulership in Revelation).
I like this revision of my summary.