It's Biblical: What is in the Bible

John McMann

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In this book, I want to argue a singular point: the Bible is a form of divine communication meant to lead us more fully into the life of God. Put in theological terms, we might say that through the Bible we receive divine revelation, the purpose of which is soteriological. In other words, the purpose of God’s Word is salvation for the world. John Wesley believed that Scripture shows us “the way to heaven—how to land safe on that happy shore. . . . Here then I am, far from the busy ways of men. I sit down alone: only God is here. In his presence I open, I read his Book; for this end, to find the way to heaven.” 9 Or to put it in yet another way, God speaks to us through the Bible and leads us into salvation. God loves us and wishes us to return that love. When we do, we enter more fully into the divine life. The Bible is a “book of meeting.” 10 It draws us ever more deeply into a relationship with the God who came to us in Jesus Christ. In light of this, our first posture toward the Bible should be one of gratitude, not criticism.

Divine communication for salvation. Can we trust the book?

First week we talked about how it came together and if you missed hopefully my notes helped a little there.

Last week we talked about inspiration and authority....my hope was to help you to be inspired to read the Bible. The crux for me is authority:

Invested authority and earned authority. explain this....

Many of you have mentioned that you have some questions and have been hesitant to ask, let me just say please do not hesitate. A question that someone else might have. Do not feel embarrassed about a lack of knowledge or something on this topic. Much of my presentation and work is from deep research and extensive education. I grew up in the church and did not always find the adequate teaching for some of this.

What is in the Bible: Biblical Narrative

The study will be titles “Storyboard” and I will embrace an approach found in “The Drama of Scripture” that is adopted from N.T. Wright’s metaphor of the bible as a drama. In this book the authors break the narrative of scripture into 6 Acts:

: God Establishes His Kingdom: Creation

: Rebellion in the Kingdom: Fall

: The King Chooses Israel: Redemption Initiated

Scene 1: A People for the King

Scene 2: A Land for His People

: The Coming of the King: Redemption Accomplished

: Spreading the News of the King: The Mission of the Church

Scene 1: From Jerusalem to Rome

Scene 2: And into All the World

: The Return of the King: Redemption Completed

Hindu Scholar once said to Lesslie Newbigin (renown missiologist):

“I can’t understand why you missionaries present the Bible to us in India as a book of religion. It is not a book of religion—and anyway we have plenty of books of religion in India. We don’t need any more! I find in your Bible a unique interpretation of universal history, the history of the whole of creation and the history of the human race. And therefore a unique interpretation of the human person as a responsible actor in history. That is unique. There is nothing else in the whole religious literature of the world to put alongside it.”

Source: Craig G. Bartholomew and Michael W. Goheen, The Drama of Scripture: Finding Our Place in the Biblical Story, (Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Academic, 2014), 21-23.

: God establishes His Kingdom: Creation

There is really two creation stories that takes place in . There is so much we could talk about here and in my Storyboard Class we spend a whole 2 weeks here. I believe a couple of things here…first Genesis is not to explain how God created, necessarily, but that God did create. And creation is wholly different than the Creator. He spoke out of nothing and brought the world. He brought order to the chaos. The point of Genesis is to say that He did create.

begins with three small Hebrew words that introduces us to the artist. (1) In the beginning. (2) he created. (3)God. Three short words transports us to the origin story to meet the artist.

looks at humankind in its relationship to the world. In the process three great places of the world are brought into existence: earth, sky, and sea and the image bearers are the “gods” of the earth.

focuses on the man and the woman in their relationship to one another and to God.

They are brining into play two different aspects of what it means to be human.

Though Christianity has often been accused of being otherworldly, it should be clear by now that the beginning of the biblical story does not encourage anyone to feel detached from, or somehow superior to, this world of space and time and matter. The Bible depicts this created, material world as the very theater of God’s glory, the kingdom over which he reigns. These early chapter of Genesis are very positive about the world. Though it is created (and therefore must never be put on the same level as the uncreated God), it is always described as good. Through the repetition of the word good is a reminder that the whole creation comes from God and that in its initial state it beautifully reflects his own design and plan for it. Creation has great diversity: light and darkness, land and sea, rivers and minerals, plants, animals, birds, and fish, human beings both male and female. This bounty is part of God’s intention, suggesting a marvelous harmony of created things. Like an orchestra, it produces a symphony of praise to the Creator. There is an order to this diversity; God’s creative word gives it structure.

Genesis also reveals our world as existing within time. God is the one who creates the day and the night, and he names them. In these early chapters little is said about how God intends his creation to develop through time, but clearly he intends for development within what he has made. The man and the woman are to produce children from their one-flesh union, and these future generations will spread out to subdue the earth. The story of begins with the phrase, “This is the account of the heavens and the earth....,” suggesting that history is an integral part of creation. The work of Adam and Eve in the marvelous park made by God marks the beginning of a long process by which their children and their descendents are to develop the riches of the creation. Adam and Eve’s royal stewardship of Eden is to be a small version of what God intends to happen to the whole creation as history unfolds.”

Source: ibid, 36-37.

: Rebellion in the Kingdom: Fall

. Things change drastically. As we know, right off the bat.

Eugene Peterson:

“A catastrophe has occurred. We are no longer in continuity with our good beginning. We have been separated from it by a disaster. We are also, of course, separated from our good end. We are, in other words, in the middle of mess.” - Eugene Peterson

What was the initiation of the mess? It was . There is a lot we can say about this chapter and the implications. This is clearly designed to be historical narrative, though, some of it has elements that are difficult to reconcile. There is some metaphorical, or imagery that is invoked to share the fall....

The temptation they face and the one they succumb to through the serpent is to assert “their autonomy: to become a law unto themselves. Autonomy means choosing oneself as the source for determining what is right and wrong, rather than relying on God’s word for direction.”

Source: ibid. 41.

Messy rescue....draw on board.

: The King Chooses Israel: Redemption Initiated

Scene 1: A People for the King

Scene 2: A Land for His People

The first scene of this act is the forming of a people. Things kind of spiral out of control in Genesis and get really specific at the end of the narrative of Genesis (Joseph story, think particularization). But there is still hope that takes place here. Abraham and a promise is made. Hope in the story of Joseph.

Exodus: the story out of exile. The rest of the pentateuch is about the formation of the people with Moses, the law, the tabernacle. etc.

All of this leading to the land given for their people. Think about it, scattered and with no home, God is trying to restore them.

Joshua (and leading up to it) is leading to the promised land.

Now during this time it is a continual roller coaster. Joshua ends with people in the promise land and no sooner than Joshua’s death, we have judges take place. Making a reason for Israel to have a King. Israel looks for autonomy, even from God again, sound familiar, and they get a King.

Saul, David, Solomon.

1-2 Samuel (things are good with David until they are not)

1-2 Kings (talk about cycle of kings)

1-2 Chronicles

Voice of the Prophets. Exile, etc.

Mixed in there is wisdom literature.

: The Coming of the King: Redemption Accomplished

Mark 1:15 NIV

“The time has come,” he said. “The kingdom of God has come near. Repent and believe the good news!”

Luke 4:18 NIV

Luke 4:18–21 NIV

“The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to set the oppressed free, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.” Then he rolled up the scroll, gave it back to the attendant and sat down. The eyes of everyone in the synagogue were fastened on him. He began by saying to them, “Today this scripture is fulfilled in your hearing.”

Matthew’s gospel as we have talked about this presentation that shows in him line with David and the line of the messiah and the answer to the prophecy. The one they have been waiting for. He is the answer to the Jewish faith.

The Kingdom of God is what Jesus proclaimed:

From “The Drama of Scripture”

Jesu’s entire mission turns on the central theme of the kingdom of God. He proclaims this in his first words in Mark’s Gospel:

Mark 1:15 NIV

“The time has come,” he said. “The kingdom of God has come near. Repent and believe the good news!”

But then Jesus goes further: he claims not only that God’s kingdom has come at last to Israel, but also that it has come in himself.

Luke 4:18–21 NIV

But then Jesus goes further: he claims not only that God’s kingdom has come at last to Israel, but also that it has come in himself. He, Jesus of Nazaret

He, Jesus of Nazareth, has been sent by the Father for one purpose alone: to make known the good news of the kingdom.

It is surprising that two thousand years after this startling announcement, many Christians who sincerely want to follow Jesus know so little of the kingdom that was at the heart of his ministry.....

And yet many around him miss what he is saying too.

Those he is speaking to are quite familiar with this type of language....the problem is they just had different expectations for how this would play out:

Zealots: wanted revolution

Sadducees: promoted compromise with Roman authorities

Pharisees: taught strict cultural and religious separation

Essenes: complete withdrawal.

ALL HATED GENTILES!

Jesus Kingdom was different, is different.

Close this section with this:

Irenaeus brings for this idea that all of humanity was affected by the fall of Adam and all of humanity is affected by the Incarnation of Christ.

Romans 5:12–19 NIV

Therefore, just as sin entered the world through one man, and death through sin, and in this way death came to all people, because all sinned— To be sure, sin was in the world before the law was given, but sin is not charged against anyone’s account where there is no law. Nevertheless, death reigned from the time of Adam to the time of Moses, even over those who did not sin by breaking a command, as did Adam, who is a pattern of the one to come. But the gift is not like the trespass. For if the many died by the trespass of the one man, how much more did God’s grace and the gift that came by the grace of the one man, Jesus Christ, overflow to the many! Nor can the gift of God be compared with the result of one man’s sin: The judgment followed one sin and brought condemnation, but the gift followed many trespasses and brought justification. For if, by the trespass of the one man, death reigned through that one man, how much more will those who receive God’s abundant provision of grace and of the gift of righteousness reign in life through the one man, Jesus Christ! Consequently, just as one trespass resulted in condemnation for all people, so also one righteous act resulted in justification and life for all people. For just as through the disobedience of the one man the many were made sinners, so also through the obedience of the one man the many will be made righteous.

“What Christ did by his Incarnation, life, death, and resurrection also washed over humanity. Adam and Jesus Christ were not just individuals but instead, according to Irenaeus, the fountainhead of humanity.”

: Spreading the News of the King: The Mission of the Church

Scene 1: From Jerusalem to Rome

Scene 2: And into All the World

, scene 1 is all about the new Testament. The spread of Christianity to Rome. See

Acts 1:1 NIV

In my former book, Theophilus, I wrote about all that Jesus began to do and to teach

Acts 1:1–2 NIV

In my former book, Theophilus, I wrote about all that Jesus began to do and to teach until the day he was taken up to heaven, after giving instructions through the Holy Spirit to the apostles he had chosen.

In my former book I wrote about all Jesus began to do until he ascended. Which infers what?

It infers that this is the book of all he continues to do....

The Holy Spirit takes this to the ends of the earth.

“The second part of the gospel story is about the continuing mission of the exalted Christ by the agency of his Spirit to give Salvation to the church and through the church to the whole world. We who stand in historical continuity with that early church have also been taken up into its mission. Their story is also ours.”

Source: ibid. 186.

Friends, this story is a 6 act play. We are the ones writing half of the 5th act. Think about that as our responsibility....knowing what is before us and our history, knowing what the close scene and history is headed towards we are to be consistent with that story.

: The Return of the King: Redemption Completed

[1] Craig G. Bartholomew and Michael W. Goheen, The Drama of Scripture: Finding Our Place in the Biblical Story, (Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Academic, 2014), 22-23.

Heaven, the dwelling place of God (which had become separated from the creation because of sin), comes “down” to the earth in a dramatic image of restored unity and harmony between the creator and what he has created. God himself comes to dwell on the new earth with humankind. Sin and all of its effects are removed.

Revelation 21:3–4 NIV

And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Look! God’s dwelling place is now among the people, and he will dwell with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. ‘He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death’ or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.”

John is writing to a small community of believers in Asia Minor who are suffering terribly under Roman persecution.

John opens the book of Revelation with startling vision of exalted Christ. He explains he is supposed to open up what is happening now, (first century) and what will happen later.....

1. He then encourages churches.

2. Then the curtains are pulled back, and John is allowed to see a vision of the throne room in heaven. Chapter 4.

24 elders (representing the whole people of God....Israel and NT people)

4 living creatures (representing all of creation)

and they all bow before God and worship.

3. John sees a scroll with seven seals, representing sovereign control over direction and goal of the history of the world. When this scroll of God’s puposes is at last opened, evil will be vanquished, God’s people will share in salvation.

An angel asks, “Who is worthy to break the seals and open the scrolls? No one answers —I wept. For he sees if this can never be broken then they are stuck in meaningless evil. But an elder comforts John and tells him to look again and see an immensely powerful lion, which has triumphed over his enemies and is able to open the scroll. But when John looks through his tears he does not see a fierce lion but a blood matted lamb, looking as if it has been slaughtered.

“The remainder of the book of Revelation shows us Jesus—exalted lamb—opening seals and guiding history to its final purpose: the founding of the kingdom of God. Judgement and salvation fall on the world as the crucified Victor opens seals and unrolls the scroll of history. John shows that the true motive of history has always been a spiritual battle; though normally hidden from human perception, it is now revealed to him in a series of vivid images.

Some of them are confusing and scary and weird.

Bottom line: God himself is the one who, through the beloved Son is moving history. God’s purposes will be accomplished: his kingdom will come. This is the glorious concluding image of the renewed heaven and earth, shared in .

End there.

So you have three images:

If have more time you can talk

messy rescue.

2. If you have time show the venn diagram of circles and heaven and earth description.

3. Also show the picture from Sandra Richter.

Review:

Video 1:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7_CGP-12AE0

Video 2:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oUXJ8Owes8E

Homework from last time:

Find the places in the text where the theme, “Who is this man?” repeats and write a short blurb of why the author might repeat this theme.

, , , ; ; ; ;

Higher Critical Data

1. Who wrote it?

Struggle with authorship. I wanted to point this out because not every book is written by the name at the top. This came from early church tradition in the first couple centuries. This is why you will hear me say or correct myself in saying a lot.... “the author of Matthew’s gospel.” That sounds redundant but it is me nodding my head to the uncertainty of authorship.

Could you tell anything about the author?

Well we can tell that he was probably a Jew. (don’t just assume when you are studying this stuff). How might we know that? He quotes the OT frequently (; ; ; ; ; ). He references OT laws and beliefs and the recording of the sermon on the mount. Jewish feasts....compare passover experience to John’s gospel. He refers to those that oppose to Jesus as pharisees and Jewish leaders, not to group them altogether.

2. Who was the audience?

May have been predominantly Jews…Jesus is the one to be expected. He presents Jesus as the son of God, so they may have been Jewish faith but not quite there on faith in Jesus as God.

3. Why was it written?

Fulfillment of Jewish scripture. Doubted the divinity of Jesus. Proper discipleship. What does it mean to be a Christian. 5 teaching discourses. The sermon on the mount. etc.

4. When was it written?

Biblical studies would suggest a couple of different things. I wont spend too much time here.

Next Week’s homework:

Segment Survey of .

I want you read it a bunch of times. After reading it 3-4 times:

How would you structure the segment?

Think 2-3 major units with subunits

Find relationships in the text: Compare, Contrast, Causation

Ask questions of the text. Write down a bunch of questions without trying to answer them

Particularization: , 12-50 and how things zoom in on the story.

Contrast: Ruth and Boaz…I think there is a subtle comparison/contrast of Boaz to God.... the redeemer.

Generalization: start particular and move to general Book of Joshua

Causation: The move from cause to effect (Jonah)

Substantiation: The move from effect to cause.

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