Many Books, But One

Despite all the diversity in the Bible, it is impossible to ignore the essential unity found within its pages. There are sixty-six writings, two Testaments, yet one Bible. This unity, unique among ancient writings, is not the result of church dogma but rests on its divine Author.

Within this unity is diversity. A portion of the Old Testament is superseded in the New. The author of Hebrews speaks of a difference between the message of the Old Testament prophets and the revelation of God's Son. The thread giving unity to the Bible is the divine element, the fact that the same God spoke to both Israel and the church. The same divine inspiration marking Old Testament prophets marks the New Testament apostles.

The Bible is consistent whole. Written long before the birth of Jesus, the Old Testament points to Jesus. death and resurrection as the Savior. Written decades after the ascension of Jesus, the New Testament records the fulfillment of the messianic anticipations in the Old Testament. Jesus fulfilled the deepest hopes of all God's people, whether they lived before Christ or after Him. The Bible's center is Jesus Himself, predicted in the Old Testament and manifested in flesh in the New Testament.

The Blessed Book

The Bible is both historical and contemporary. Embedded in ancient cultures, languages, and traditions it still has the power to touch modern readers. For example, the words of Psalm 23 come from an ancient book written 3,000 years ago in another language but are still beautiful, powerful, and relevant to a modern facing any difficulty.

The Bible, the most studied and published Book in the world, is both simple and profound. Children can learn the Bible and to love it. Yet some of the world's finest scholars spend lifetimes studying the Bible confessing they have only scratched the surface of this great Book.

The Bible is both human divine. Inspired and guided by the Holy Spirit, it was given to us in, with, and under the words of human authors. The Bible is light for our paths, honey in one's mouth and a weapon in the fight for strong faith. Our lives are formed by the Bible, which is read, taught, preached, sung, believed, and loved. It provides a world view and a set of moral values. It binds us together as a family of God telling us life's meaning. Together we say with the psalmist, "Oh, how I love your law! I meditate on it all the day."