We have started a new series called “A Case for the Bible” and we spent the past few posts on introductory information. This week we want to take a look at the importance of getting the big picture first before building our case for the Bible. A lot of people, including many Christians, do not understand how the Bible is structured and how the different books, written by different authors over a 1500 year span of time, tell a cohesive and historically reliable narrative.
Getting the “Big Picture”
The 39 books of the Old Testament are structured in the following order and categories for the Christian Bible:
Books of Moses (also known as the Torah/Pentateuch):
Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers and Deuteronomy
The History Books:
Joshua, Judges, Ruth, 1 and 2 Samuel, 1 and 2 Kings, 1 and 2 Chronicles, Ezra, Nehemiah, and Esther
The Books of Wisdom and Poetry:
Job, Psalms, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, and Song of Songs (also known as the Song of Solomon)
The books of the Prophets:
Major Prophets:
Isaiah, Jeremiah, Lamentations, Ezekiel, and Daniel
Minor prophets:
Hosea, Joel, Amos, Obadiah, Jonah, Micah, Nahum, Habakkuk, Zephaniah, Haggai, Zechariah, and Malachi
The 27 books of the New Testament are in the following order and categories:
The Gospels:
Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John
Church History:
Acts (also known as the Acts of the Apostles)
The Pauline Epistles (Letter written by Paul):
Romans, 1 and 2 Corinthians, Galatians, Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, 1 and 2 Thessalonians, 1 and 2 Timothy, Titus, and Philemon
The General Epistles (Letters written by other Apostles):
Hebrews, James, 1 and 2 Peter, 1, 2, and 3 John, and Jude
Apocalyptic (end times):
Revelation (also known as the Revelation of Jesus Christ)
It is important to know how the Bible is structured by books, their authors, audiences and purpose of the writing. This is part of using the hermeneutic method when studying. It is also important to know that the Bible, even though it is made up of different books, contains a seamless narrative. It is a historical reporting of the story of humankind from the beginning, and it contains God’s story with His purpose and message for us all.
The following is my attempt to summarize the “Big Picture” of the Bible so that we can have a framework from which to study and from which to make our case for the Bible (do your own in the Reflection section):
Old Testament “Big Picture”
- God creates us to be in relationship with Him (Genesis 1-2)
- Humans lose that relationship at “the Fall” when they disobey God’s only command (Genesis 3)
- God immediately promises a way of salvation and begins to work that plan out in “Covenants” throughout the Old Testament—giving encouragement, warning and hope through the prophets (Genesis 3:15; Genesis 12:2-3; Genesis 15:5-19; Genesis 26:3-5; Genesis 28:10-15; Genesis 49:9-12; Exodus 12-15; 19-20; 2 Samuel 7:5-17; Jeremiah 31:31)
- Every book (39), story, and event contains a foreshadow, model, or prophecy of Jesus (who He would be and what He would do)—the Scarlet Thread of the Old Testament
- The Nation of Israel was chosen to be God’s people and role-model to the other nations (they failed all the time) showing the need for a Savior, and it would be through this Nation that Messiah would come
Note: There is an “intertestimental” period of about 400 years. During this time God prepares the world for the coming of His Son, the promised Messiah. Greek becomes the universal language and Rome opens up the roads controlling and connecting major commerce (both which allow for quick transmission and spread of the Gospel message upon Jesus’ death and Resurrection).
New Testament “Big Picture”
- Jesus is born, the promised Messiah from the tribe of Judah and line of David (Luke 3:23-37)
- Jesus is the New Covenant in fulfillment of God’s Old Covenant and the hundreds of prophecies made about Him centuries before (Luke 22:20; 2 Corinthians 3:6; Hebrews 8:7-13; 9:1-15)
- Jesus’ ministry proves that He is God incarnate evidenced by His sinless life and multitude of miracles attesting to His power over the natural order and His love for humanity
- Jesus dies as a substitute for all humanity, then resurrects from the grave in defeat of death and Satan, restoring that lost relationship with humankind and providing a path for eternal life (John 3:11-21; John 14)
- Jesus’ followers begin to spread this good news at Jesus’ command and giving of the Holy Spirit to all believers (Matthew 28:18-20; Acts 1:7-8)
- The early Church begins as disciples gathering in various places worshipping, studying Scripture and sharing the Gospel to the ends of the earth (book of Acts and Epistles)
- Jesus promises to come back bringing the full Kingdom of God creating a New Earth and New Heaven with no more pain, suffering, or death (Revelation 21:1-7)
***Our job, or purpose, until then is to share this good news with as many people as we can, living lives as God’s Ambassadors for the Kingdom, preparing for eternity (2 Corinthians 5:20)
Overarching Message:
Unbelief and disobedience towards God results in hardship and separation from God’s love, protection, and blessing:
People (sinful)——-/ (separation) /——-God (Holy)
The need for rescue and deliverance (a Savior)—God’s Genesis 3:15 Promise unfolds through the Covenants and culminates in Jesus…
Knowing the big picture, and focusing from there, will help us not fall into the trap of twisting Scripture—it will help keep us in the right context as we study.
Reflection
- What is the overarching message of the Bible?
- Write out your own summary of the Bible’s Big Picture.
- Commit to daily practice memorizing the books of the Bible in order.
- PTRs (prayer focus): Pray for the desire and commitment to learning “about” the Bible and its “big picture.”
Bible Study
Each week we do a Bible study to practice our Bible study skills. This week read or re-read 1 Corinthians chapter 15, then answer the following questions:
Chapter 15 contains one of the most important apologetic and statement of faith in what is known as the earliest Christian Creed. Since 1 Corinthians was written in about AD 55, and Paul says he is reporting something that he had already received (Paul was saved in about AD 35), it puts the dating of this believers’ statement of faith within just a few years of the actual events—not allowing time for fabrication or embellishment.
- What is the most important part of this Gospel Creed? (15:1-4)
- How many witnesses were there to Jesus’ resurrection and who were they? (15:5-11)
- Some of the Corinthians were saying that there was no resurrection. If that was true then what would be the ramifications of such a belief? (15:12-19)
- Jesus did indeed rise from the dead. How does what Jesus did for us relate back to Adam? What is the order of resurrection and what is the last enemy to be abolished? (15:20-26)
- What other arguments and examples does Paul give for the resurrection? (15:27-49)
- What is the mystery of the resurrection? What example does Paul use for this mystery? (15:50-58)
- What is our victory? Copy verse 15:57 for this answer and as a memory verse.
Join us next week as we continue our “Case for the Bible” series!
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You will not find this material in the public school curriculum even though it is based on solid evidence and grounded in research. It is ironic that following the evidence to where it leads stops at the door of our public schools as they will not let a “Divine footprint” in! Join us as we examine evidence for Christianity and learn how to become a thoughtful defender and ambassador of your faith.
Click into the resource page of this website to view many of the top Christian thinkers and apologists along with some of their work; connecting to these types of resources is essential in your Christian growth.
Please let me know what you think: Give feedback, ask questions or send concerns in the comment section of the blog.
Teri Dugan
TeriDugan@truthfaithandreason.com
1 Peter 3:15
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