Expert: Scott Talbot - 4/20/2007

Question
QUESTION: Good morning:I am a theology student. My question is:
1 In what sense do the books of the Bible form a unity?
2: The Christian view of history is optimistic. Could you please explain to me.
3God's act of creation is at the sme time an act of salvation. How does this truth help us to gain a positive view of relgion of the world?
ANSWER: Hi, James. Nice to hear from you.

You're a theology student. That's great. There's no better topic of study than God! Where are you studying?

Let's take a look at your questions.

1. How do the books of the Bible form a unity? Read II Peter 1:20-21 and II Timothy 3:16-17. These and other passages tell us that, while there were many penmen who wrote the various books of the Bible, God was the actual author. The words are God's words, just as if He had breathed them Himself. The many books of the Bible have one common author. They also have one common theme, and together progressively unfold God's plan for the ages. Nowhere will you find any contradictions. All 66 books are God's revelation to mankind.

2. How is the Christian view optimistic? Good question. Without Jesus Christ, there is no optimism. Jesus Christ is THE way, THE truth, and THE life (John 14:6). Paul says in I Corinthians 15:19, "If only for this life we have hope in Christ, we are of all men most miserable." Christ gives us the possibility for an abundant life in this life (John 10:10) and the hope of eternal life in the future. How? We have all sinned and fall short of God's standard of perfection (Romans 3:23). The punishment for our sin is death and eternal condemnation. But Jesus died in our place to serve our death sentence for us (Romans 6:23). All those who place their trust in Him and call on God for this free gift will be saved (Romans 10:9-10,13). What could be more optimistic than that?

3. God's act of creation is an act of salvation. I'm not quite sure what you mean here. There was no need for salvation until after man fell into sin (Genesis 3). When God created the universe and all that is in it, He pronounced it "very good." There was no need for salvation at the time it was created (Genesis 1-2). Perhaps I am misunderstanding your question.

How does this help us to gain a positive view of religion of the world? Again, you need to clarify, because I'm not sure of your question. What do you mean by "religion of the world"?

Just a note on the concept of "religion." God is not pleased with religion. Religion is simply man's attempt at approaching God, and all of the religions of the world fall short. God's way (Christianity) is that of a relationship rather than a religion. It's about beginning a personal relationship with the God of the universe by being born again (John 1:12, 3:16, 5:24) and by growing in that relationship with God. Unlike all man-made religions, this is very positive, while they all lead to frustration and a dead end (Matthew 7:21-23).

James, have you been born again into God's family yet?

Please write back. I would like to finish answering your questions.

Scott

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Thanks for thy kind reply to my previous queries. Here I have some more questions that has been bugging me. Here are they:
1What view of human history and destiny is contained in Genesis chapts:1,2, &3
2 How does Bible function as a dramatic story?
3" The interpretation of sacred book is greatly helped by reader's knowledge of historical context in which, it was composed or completed". Please explain to me. Thanking you James N Bombay India
ANSWER: Hi, James,

It sounds like you're working on a class assignment. I will be happy to assist you.

1. What view of human history and destiny is contained in Genesis 1-3. It's God's view of human history, which is the only correct view. I wouldn't call it a "view" so much as the truth. ("View" sounds too much like an opinion, and it really isn't a matter of opinion.) It's the view that God created the universe and all that is in it in six literal days. When He created it, it was perfect, and He pronounced it "very good." Even man was perfect, and he lived in a perfect Paradise and communed directly with God. However, man willfully violated God's commands and so plunged mankind into sin and condemnation. The earth fell under a curse, Paradise was lost, and so was man's relationship with God. (It took Jesus Christ, the perfect God-man, to die in our place, to satisfy God's holiness and provide us a way to again have a personal relationship with God.)

2. How does the Bible function as a dramatic story? The Bible isn't just a story. It's God's revelation to us. As such, it contains vital truths. It wasn't meant to be drama or a novel or simply narrative literature. It's God speaking to us. That said, God chose to convey truth to us through historical accounts. He tells us in the Bible how His plan has been unfolding as He accomplishes His plan through the lives of individuals and nations. We learn of many people and many life experiences which God shares as lessons for us. As such, there is a great deal of drama in the telling of the stories.

3. The interpretation of the Bible is helped by the reader's knowledge of he historical context. Very true. In order to fully understand what God is trying to convey to us, we must understand what the words meant to the original penmen and the original recipients. As with any piece of literature, the reader must understand the background, such as the political climate, culture, customs, meaning and connotation of words, etc. For example, when Jesus spoke to the Samaritan woman at the well in John 4, it's significant to understand that the Samaritans were half-breeds--part Jewish, part Gentile, which made them more vile in the eyes of the Jews than mere Gentiles. While part of the Jewish nation, Samaria represented the element which more severely rebelled against God and broke apart into the northern monarchy. Samaria was the capital of this northern kingdom of Israel. It's history was characterized by idol worship and abhorrent practices. So there was extreme hatred of the Jews towards the Samaritans. Add to this the fact that she was a woman (less respected in that culture), and you see the extreme grace and love Jesus showed to this woman.

I hope this helps. In your studies, make sure that you do not only learn the facts, but learn about the God behind the facts, the God who longs to have a personal relationship with you. Have you accepted Him yet? (See John 1:12, 3:16, 5:24, Romans 3:23, 5:8, 6:23, 10:9-13.)

Scott

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Good morning: Thanks for thy prompt reply.I am a Roman catholic from diocese of Bombay.I have finished my 'word ministry'. Now I am doing theology and later God wiling wish to study philosophy.I am preparing for the formation of peranent diakonate. I am married. My wife is handicap. She will undergo operation this month. please pray for her.May deus beatus vos.James N

Answer
James,

It's nice to find out more about you. Thank you for sharing this with me. I will be happy to pray for you and your wife. Would you let me know how the operation goes?

Remember, James, the most important issue in life is this--What is your relationship with Jesus Christ? Ephesians 2:8 says, "By grace you are saved, through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest any man should boast." And Titus 3:5 says, "Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit."

Don't let "religion" get in the way of a personal relationship with God. Religion is man's way of trying to approach God. But God has His own way. It involves understanding that we are sinners and cannot save ourselves (Romans 3:23). Because of our sin, we have been sentenced to death--both physical death, and spiritual death (eternal separation from God). However, Jesus died in our place and served our death sentence, making available to us the gift of eternal life (Romans 6:23). We need to acknowledge these facts, and place our trust in Jesus Christ alone to save us. We can receive this free gift by simply reaching out and taking it, praying to God to forgive us and save us (Romans 10:9-13).

James, have you received Jesus Christ (John 1:12)? Have you placed your trust in Him to be born again (John 3:1-21)? Do you know for a fact that, if you died today, you would be with Jesus in heaven?

Don't trust the church. Don't trust your own good works. Only Jesus Christ can save you (John 14:6, Acts 4:12).

Stay in touch, friend. And have a good weekend.

Scott