The Bible is the bestselling book on the planet. Libraries of other books have been written about the Bible; explaining it, challenging it, interpreting it, and verifying it. Whatever you think of the Bible, it is arguably the most discussed book in the world. So what is it about this book that is so fascinating for so many?

For me, the Bible is the only book that can totally transform a person’s life.  Modern self-help books are interesting and can help form positive habits and improve self-esteem, but they cannot transform a person’s soul. The words of the Bible and specifically the words of Jesus have a transformative power when read with an open heart, one that is genuinely seeking God. In my experience, this makes it unique. The Bible can literally raise a person from spiritual death, help them to see the world, their life and their future from God’s perspective.

For those who don’t know let me bullet point the basics and background.

• It is 66 separate pieces of ancient writing collected together to make one book.
• It has many authors (none of whom were Jesus)
• It was written between about 1500BC – 100AD
• It was originally written in three different languages. Hebrew, Aramaic and Greek.
• It has TWO major sections, the Old Testament and the New Testament
• The Old Testament deals with the story of one man and his family becoming a nation (Israel) and their turbulent relationship with the God who created everything and desired to be in relationship with his creation.
• The New Testament deals with how God ultimately forms a lasting relationship with humans through Jesus, the incarnation of God on earth. It presents a hope for the future, where God and Humans dwell together in a restored and recreated world.

I love the Bible and have ever since I was a teenager. What fascinates me is the way that there is one single ‘golden thread’ that runs through it all. God’s plan of salvation for the human race seen in His son Jesus. The more you read the Bible, the more you delve into it and explore it, the more Jesus is revealed. Every story points towards him, Old Testament characters, events and prophecy point towards the time when Jesus would be born, live, die and resurrect as part of God’s grand scheme to restore His creation. A creation that was fractured by humans when they rejected his offer of love and security under His leadership and rule.

What is the Structure of the Bible?

The Bible contains three major types of literature

1. Narrative.
2. Historical There are accounts of Kings, battles, empires etc. Many of which are evidenced by archaeology and other historical sources. They describe how God interacts with history to fulfil His purposes.
3. Parables (stories that teach a truth) that point us towards God and Jesus and reveal to us our failings in the failings of the characters we read about. These teach us about humanity and its need for God. They help us find answers to life’s big questions. Some may be true, some are not. Their purpose is to teach a spiritual truth not necessarily a historical one.

• Poetry

Poetry is used in all cultures to reflect ideas and values. It forces you to reflect and see things differently than you would normally. Sometimes we get so wrapped up in our daily existence that we fail to see things that we need to address in our own lives, such as our emotions and feelings. Poetry helps us see these things in others and therefore in ourselves.   In the Bible, the Psalms are the major poetical works and they reflect all our frustrations, worries, pain and joy and relate it to God as our creator. Many people see the creation stories as poetry, revealing to us God’s love for his creation, including us.

• Prose/discourse writing

These are writings like an essay that we might do at school or a letter we might need to write to someone, or a factual document outlining important information. They are often used to explain ideas or present an argument. Often they follow a similar pattern:

• An issue is outlined
• A solution is presented
• A choice is offered with the consequences explained.

            Many of the Old Testament prophecy books are like this, as are St Paul’s letters.

Each book in the Bible has a primary style, with elements of the others thrown in. In order to understand the Bible more clearly, it is really useful to know what style you are reading and what the author intended you to gain from reading it.

Personally, I believe that understanding the context, background and intent of the book in the Bible that you are reading, will help you understand it and interpret it correctly, (or as best as you are able!).

Does the bible tell us the truth?

That is the $64,000 question. Historically it is pretty accurate. Archaeology, historical records and other writings from similar times support many of the events described in the Bible. There aren’t many good historians who would say that Jesus never existed. The evidence is overwhelming.

But most people want to know if God is real. Was Jesus telling the truth? Did Jesus really die? Did the resurrection happen? For me, I would have to say that to discover this, you really need to study the Bible, dig deep into it, and find out how it all hangs together and links up so beautifully. The more you do this, the more God WILL reveal himself to you. If the history is accurate then maybe the teaching and the supernatural will be as well.

I’ve spent a lifetime digging into the Bible, studying, living out the teachings, and praying. From what I have discovered so far, I would definitely say YES it is true.

God wants you to have faith, to put your trust in the many promises he gives in the Bible. He wants you to discover Him for yourself. Any relationship requires trust. When I became a Christian, I had to put my trust in Jesus. I had to believe that, he died on that cross to remove my sin and enable me to become right with God. I had to believe that the resurrection was real, that Jesus is alive, now, today, just as much as He was when He walked the earth. It took faith, small, faltering faith at first, but the more I read the Bible, the more I trusted, prayed and tried it out, the more real God became.

This is no psychological mumbo jumbo, it is a real relationship powered by God’s Holy Spirit. I am not crazy, I have just discovered that the God of the Bible, loves me. He is not an ogre or a dictator who wants to hurt or punish me, he is my spiritual Father. He created me and loves me like a good parent loves their children, (but so much more than we can). The more I read my Bible the more I see God as my father, Jesus as my saviour, friend and Lord and the Holy Spirit as my strength, comforter and guide.

What does the Bible say about itself?

All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God^[a] may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.  2Timothy 3:16-17

For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account.   Hebrews 4:12-13

Try the Bible out for yourself, let God reveal himself to you as you read. If you do, try this prayer before you read it.

Father God,

Before I read your word, help me to remove any distractions in my life, any prejudice and fear I may have about you. Please reveal to me your love, mercy and grace. Show me the Lord Jesus in all His glory. Help me if I get stuck or find it hard. Help me to persevere.

Amen.

Why not try out Through the Word | Read the Bible. Understand it. Apply it. Make it a Habit.

A brilliant app that explains EVERY CHAPTER IN THE BIBLE!

There are many brilliant Bible reading plans and resources available, do some research if you are serious.

Go to your local church and ask for help reading the Bible.

WARNING: anyone or book that suggests that Jesus is anything other than God as a human (part of the Trinity) or leads you down a path other than “faith in Jesus” is misdirecting you. 

Seek Jesus when you read the Bible, do not be side-tracked into ‘rabbit holes’ that will confuse you and lead you away from Jesus.

 Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. If you really know me, you will know^[b] my Father as well. From now on, you do know him and have seen him.”  John 14: 6-7

Thanks for reading.

Jez