Why the Bible?

I’m sometimes asked about the relevance and/or importance of the Bible. After all, it is an ancient text that many consider outdated and irrelevant. In itself, this topic is vast enough and volumes of books have been written. But for now, I give a short answer of the importance and relevance of the Bible.

“God, our Maker, knows all about us before we say anything (Psalm 139:1-4); but we can know nothing about him unless he tells us. Here, therefore, is a further reason why God speaks to us: not only to move us to do what he wants, but to enable us to know him so that we may love him.” (J.I. Packer, Knowing God)

God is infinite. We are finite. His existence and being is totally incomprehensible to us unless he reveals himself to us. He gives us the revelation of his Word so that we can go to an authoritative source that he has secured so that we can know God.

The Scriptures are given to point us to God, more specifically, to point us to Jesus Christ. “You diligently study the Scriptures because you think that by them you possess eternal life. These are the Scriptures that testify about me.” (John 5:39).

You see, the Bible is God’s sure way of telling us who he is, revealing who Jesus is, and leading us to God through Jesus (John 14:6). And this is part of the reason why the Bible is relevant, important, and must be honored.

What a wonder it is that the Infinite, Holy, Absolutely Pure God would care enough to reveal himself to us so that we might know him!!!