When you read the Bible, do you see it as just a collection of stories, sometimes related to each other but often not? Or do you envision the Bible as telling one long and complicated story? But a story where all the pieces somehow fit together.
I suspect that many of us are somewhere in the middle. We may accept that there is some kind of order beyond the two major divisions. But are unsure just what it is. And so, we end up reading the Bible, when we do, as just a collection of generally unrelated stories or sayings.
I am convinced that the Bible does contain one overarching theme. And this post is the first in a series that will attempt to describe that theme. At least as I understand it. Many, at least Protestants, have adopted either dispensationalism or covenant theology as their overarching framework for interpreting the Bible. What I will be describing is neither. Instead, it is my own perspective.
A Foundation to Build On
Before going any further, I believe it will be helpful to describe some of the core principles I will be building on. You may or may not agree with me on these. But they do form the foundation that all of my doctrine flows out of.
The Sovereignty of God
The first of these is the sovereignty of God. The sovereignty of God means different things to different people. I understand it to mean that God is in control. That nothing happens in the creation apart from his will. It may be that he decrees some things to occur. And others he may allow. But, again, nothing happens that he has not at least allowed to occur.
I also believe that our creator has granted humanity a certain amount of autonomy. We can make real choices. Sometimes, the choices we make are good. And sometimes they are bad, even very bad. But he does not allow us to act in ways that hinder his purpose for creation.
An Inspired Scripture
I believe that the Bible is the inspired word of God, truthful in all it teaches, and authoritative in matters of faith and practice. 2 Timothy 3:16-17 affirms that all Scripture (even what was not yet written) is God-breathed, or inspired, and is useful to help me develop and mature in my faith and walk with God.
That being said, I do not believe it floated down from heaven in its completed form. Instead, it developed slowly over a long period of time with many human authors and editors. There were many other writings that Israel and the church found valuable and could have been included in the canon. But, in the end, what we have is “good enough.” It tells us what God wants us to know, although not always in the way we want. Nor does it always tell us what we want to know.
God’s Master Plan
Does God have a game plan from which he is working? Or is he winging it as he goes along? Do humans, in our rebellion, ever derail his plans and cause him to rework them?
I believe that Paul answers this in Ephesians 1:11. He tells us there that we were “predestined according to the plan of him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of his will.” God has a plan. And he is working everything out in conformity with that plan. Nothing happens that God has not foreseen and planned for. He never has to scramble to get his plan back on track because of any unforeseen act of nature or humanity.
Everything is progressing according to God’s plan. There is no plan B that God had to put together after the fall. Ephesians 3:11 refers to God’s eternal purpose.
An Invitation
Much of what I will be writing about in this series has been rattling around in my head for some time but is somewhat disjointed. I do find that writing helps me to organize my thoughts better. And that is a primary reason for writing this.
I want to invite you along on this journey through the story of the Bible with me. I make no claim to infallibility—actually, just the opposite. And I am interested in your feedback. I have no doubt that most of you will find fault with me at some point in the journey. Help me to work through this, being faithful to the Scripture and logically consistent throughout.
- The Story of the Bible (2/8/2025) - This is an introductory post to a series on the story of the Bible. At least as I understand it. Each post will build on the previous posts.
- A Good Creation (2/15/2025) - God created a good, although not necessarily perfect, world. His creation included all that has been made, both physical and spiritual.
- Humanity (2/22/2025) - Humanity is described as the final work in God's creation, created to be in God's image, and given rule over the rest of the creation.
- The Fall and Death (3/1/2025) - How did God's creation end up in the mess it's in. Genesis tells us humanity rebelled against God, fell from our high place, and faced death.
- An Unconditional Promise (3/8/2025) - Abraham was promised land, descendants as numerous as the dust of the earth, and offspring who would be a blessing to all people.
- A Conditional Covenant (3/15/2025) - At Mt. Sinai, God entered into a conditional covenant relationship with Israel. They would be his people if they obeyed the covenant terms.
- Breaking the Covenant (3/22/2025) - Israel repeatedly broke their covenant with God and eventually faced exile. Was that the end? Or was there still hope for them?
- Holding Out Hope (3/29/2025) - The prophets held out hope, telling Israel God had plans for them despite their rebellion. The promise of land, king, and temple remained.
- A Bump in the Road (4/5/2025) - Expectations were high when Jesus rode into Jerusalem. But by the end of the week, he had been executed as a common criminal. What went wrong?
- Turning the World Upside-down (4/12/2025) - The story of Jesus' death and resurrection turned the world upside-down. He had made a way for all humanity to be reconciled to God.
- Unveiling the Mystery – Fulfilling the Promise (4/19/2025) - This mystery now unveiled in the New Testament is that all who have the faith of Abraham, Jew or Gentile, inherit the promise made to Abraham
- Israel Under the New Covenant (4/26/2025) - God is not through with them. Before the end comes, they will once again experience God’s mercy and experience his salvation.
- What Happens at the End of the Story (5/3/2025) - When Jesus returns, the dead in Christ will rise to life everlasting, unbelievers will face judgment, and all things will be made new.
- The Story of the Bible in Review (5/10/2025) - What is the story of the Bible? It is the story of God working within his creation to produce a humanity made in his image.
I’ve lost track of how long I’ve been following you, but I know you depend on God in all your writings. I look forward to your Bible Studies. I thank God for you. May His Spirit continue to use you.
Thank you so much.
Really looking forward to this series. I love that you seek to exalt Jesus above everything and aren’t ‘swayed by every wind of doctrine’
Thanks
I look forward to your series. I too am inclined to see an overarching story. I am a lifetime student of literature and teacher and can see the development of the story that is very much like what we see in most stories. I see the introductory statement to the whole of scripture as Genesis 1 and the declaration that God is the source and Sovereign over all things.
It is good to recognize the unity of the Bible’s story rather than see it as just a collection of stories
Ed,
I am also pleased with your writing. You are not afraid of the tension between God’s sovereignty and the choices that people make. Some mash up of covenant theology and dispensational thinking is where I find myself as well. I am leary of the straight jackets of “isms”. I find that systems are often forced onto questions rather than submitting questions to the flow of the Biblical revelation.
The Bible is from God and through humans by the Holy Spirit. There is tension in that as there is tension in understanding Jesus as God and man.
I recently read Job’wisdom song. He tells us that the creation is a result of God’s wisdom but wisdom isn’t in the creation. As I become (I hope) more mature I am OK with without a theory of everything. God is the source, in him everything consists and in him we have our being. This is enough.
Thank you. I try to be open to the Spirit’s leading when I read, study, and write. There is often a tension between things like God’s sovereignty and our free will. I do believe it is best to recognize that tension and not try to make something of it that the Scripture does not.
AMEN and AMEN
Praying for you as the Holy Spirit enlightens your heart to the teaching of God Word.
Thank you. I appreciate your prayers for the Holy Spirit’s leading.
I love reading your writings, you always present the gospel with humility. You don’t overload your teachings with many theological terms; rather, keep your words simpler so that laymen can understand and follow your argument. Your writing doesn’t give room for the theological doctrinal division found in many Christian blogs, which obstructs people from the real truth in Christ.
Your work encourages people to read the Bible with new minds that can help a person form an intimacy with Christ rather than a church or religious affiliate.
I benefit a lot from your blog both in my Christian life and Biblical studies.
Thank you and God bless you
John Ukaegbu.
Thank you so much for your kind and encouraging words.