Page 36 - Bible Writers Theology Original

20 ♦ Bible Writers'Theology Chapter Three
The Bible is a divine emanation from God; God's communication to His people through his book. Divine inspiration makes the Bible uniquely the word of God, not merely a book containing the word of God. As such, it is different from any other sacred or secular book. The Bible can be called the inspired revelation of God's redemptive plan and purpose in Christ for the sake of humanity. It is not meant to be a revelation of natural science or a book of secular history. (See Revelation 1:1; Jeremiah 36:2; Ezekiel 1:3; Zechariah 7:12; Acts 1:16; Acts 28:25; Deuteronomy 4:12-23; Deuteronomy 11:18; Deuteronomy 17:20; I Peter 1:25; IT Kings 17:13; Job 32:8; Daniel 2:22;
Amos 3:7;John 15:15;Romans 16:25-26;Nehemiah 9.)
3.7 The Inspiration of Scripture
In the face of many conflicting voices, confusing sin, and earth-bound humanity, it isextremely vital to know and believe that God speaks to man through the written words of the Bible. God wants to communicate His will and bring His creation inconformity with it. For mortals talking about God, it is not possible to know anything at all about Him, unless He is generous,
condescending, and loving enough to disclose Himself and show His ways to mankind. Indeed, He proclaimed through His prophet, "For as the heav
ens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts" (Isaiah 55:9). (See also Daniel 2:22; Romans 16:25-26).
Paul said, "the things of God knoweth no man, but the Spirit of God" (I Corinthians 2:11). Happily the Bible says, "But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep
thingsofGod (ICorinthians2:10). IttakesGodtorevealHimself.
It is thrilling to realize God wants, unceasingly, to draw the attention of maa* "O earth, earth, earth, hear the word of the LORD" Qeremiah 22:29), "Ogeneration,seeyethewordoftheLORD"(Jeremiah2:31). Hedelights to see those who takes heed (Isaiah 66:2). Truly, He has brought Himself
within our reach through His word (Deuteronomy 30:11-14,1 John 1:1). God is eager to show the way on which man can find rest for his soul: "Thus saith the Lord, stand ye in the ways, and see, and ask the old paths, where is the good way, and walk therein..." Qeremiah 6:16). (See also Isaiah 30:31.)
Those to whom He has revealed Himself could say, like John, "In the beginning was the word, the word was with God, and God was the W ord. Inhimwaslife;andthelifewasthelightofmen. Andthe light shineth
in the darkness;... lighteth every man that cometh into the world" Qohn 1:1,4,5,8). Peteradds his own testimony: "We have also a more sure word of