2. The Bible

What the Bible is not:

1. The Bible is not an amulet, a charm, a fetish, or anything to work wonders by its very presence alone. It does not claim to be such; it does claim that if one will study and practice its teaching he will see wonders worked in his life both now and in the hereafter.
2. The Bible is not a book of chronological events or an unbroken series of divine utterances. It was given, here a little and there a little, to many men through 18 centuries (Isaiah 28:9-11); but regardless of this, it forms a perfect unity.
3. The Bible is not a book of heavenly utterances in supernatural language; it is God’s revelation in the simplest human language possible.
4. The Bible is not a book of mysteries; it explains its so-called mysteries, and is so self-interpreting that no mystery remains.
5. The Bible is not a book that says one thing and means another. Generally, the passages have one simple meaning. In the few which have a double meaning, this fact is quite clear, either from the verses themselves or from parallel passages. One cannot, as is sometimes said, get a thousand different meanings from the Scriptures.
6. The Bible is not a specimen of God’s skill as a writer or logician. It is a book written by men whom He used to record His revelation. The method was by giving them ways of expressing truth, and freedom in the use of their own language. What inspiration guarantees in unity of truth, not sameness of words and expressions.
7. The Bible is not a book of systematic discourses on any one subject; but it does give divine information on practically every subject. One must collect together, from here and there, all God’s information through various writers, in order to know the whole truth. When this is done, there is perfect harmony, and everything which a man really needs to know about a subject, is clear.
8. The Bible is not a book adapted to the tastes, customs, and habits of any one nation or people; it is not for any one age or period of time. It is a book to which all people in all ages can conform, and yet retain their own lawful customs and habits which are not contrary to the will of God.

What the Bible is:

1. The Bible is God’s inspired revelation of the origin and destiny of all things. Here heaven is opened, and the gates of hell disclosed. It is the traveller’s map, the pilgrim’s staff, the pilot’s compass, the soldier’s sword, and the Christian’s charter.
2. The Bible is the power of God unto eternal salvation and the source of present help, for body, soul, and spirit (Roman 1:16; John 15:7). Christ is its grand subject, man’s good its design, and the glory of God its end. It is a mine of wealth, the source of health, and a world of pleasure.
3. The Bible is God’s will or testament to men in all ages, revealing the plan of God for man here and now, and in the next life. It will be opened at the judgement; and it will last forever. It involves the highest responsibility; will reward for the least to the greatest of labor; and will condemn all who trifle with its sacred contents.
4. The Bible is the record of God’s dealings with man in the past, present, and future. It contains His message of eternal salvation for all who believe in Christ, and eternal damnation for all who rebel against the gospel.
5. As a literary composition, the Bible is the most remarkable book ever made. It is a divine library of 66 books, some of considerable size, and others no larger than a tract. These books include various forms of literature-history, biography, poetry, proverbial sayings, hymns, letters, directions for elaborate ritualistic worship, laws, parables, riddles, allegories, prophecy, and all other forms of human expression.
6. The Bible is the only book that reveals the mind of God, the state of man, the way of salvation, the doom of sinners, and the happiness of believers. Its doctrines are holy, its precepts binding, its histories true, and its decisions immutable. It contains light to direct, spiritual food to sustain, and comfort to cheer. Man should read it to be wise, believe it to be safe, and practice it to be holy; he should read It that it might fill his memory, rule his heart, and guide his feet in righteousness and true holiness. He should read it slowly, frequently, prayerfully, meditatively, searching, devotionally; and study it constantly, perseveringly, and industriously, through and through – until it becomes a part of his being, generating faith that will move mountains.