such as lists of vices and virtues,
household codes (instructions about
family relationships), and topical
treatments of moral questions.
Finally, the most difficult form
of literature in the Bible is the
apocalyptic texts. Found in the
Old Testament books of Daniel and
Ezekiel, and in the New Testament
Book of Revelation, these highly
symbolic texts describe God’s
triumph over the wicked and
vindication of the righteous.Key themes
The Bible begins with the creation
of the world and humanity. This
original paradise indicates God’s
intent for humanity—to live in
a rich and joyful relationship
with God and others, exercising
stewardship over God’s world.
This goal is challenged, however,
when Adam and Eve disobey God,
bringing ruin and decay upon
themselves and creation. This “Fall”
introduces the central tension in
the biblical narrative; the holiness
of God demands the judgment of
sinful humanity, yet the love of God
calls for the restoration of humanity
and the fulfillment of God’s purpose
for creation. The rest of the Bible
is taken up with resolving this
tension, culminating, in the New
Testament, with the fulfillment ofthe prophecy in Genesis (3:17) of
one who will “crush the head of the
serpent” and lift the curse of God’s
judgment on humanity and the
Earth. Often, God pursues His
purpose by making covenants with
humankind, such as those made
with Abraham, Moses, and David.
God promised Abraham that his
descendants would become a great
nation (Israel) and that one particular
descendant would bless the whole
world. The Mosaic Covenant, also
called the Law of Moses, was given
through Moses to the nation of
Israel, setting the terms of their
relationship with God. The covenant
with David promised that one of
David’s descendants would sit on
the throne of Israel forever. Christiansbelieve these covenants converge
in the life of Jesus, who claimed
that “[the Scriptures] speak of Me”
(John 5:39) and explained how
Moses and all the prophets pointed
to Him (Luke 24:27).
Human weakness is a recurring
theme in the Bible. Even the
greatest leaders are shown to be
flawed. Jacob was a manipulative
liar, Samson fornicated with
Delilah, David committed adultery
with Bathsheba and murdered her
husband to cover it up, and even
the prophets Elijah and Jeremiah
wanted to give up their calling.
God uses the weak to confound
the strong. He makes a slave nation
into His Chosen People (Israel), a
murderer into a liberator (Moses),
barren women into mothers (Sarah
and Hannah), and a shepherd
into a king (David). In the New
Testament, God uses murderers
(Paul) and flawed leaders (Peter)
to spread the teaching of Jesus.Early analysis
Traditionally, Jewish scholars, or
rabbi, focused on memorization of
the Hebrew scriptures as well as
debates over their interpretation
and application to Jewish life.
By contrast, early Christian
scholars, mostly pastors, analyzed
the way in which the scriptures14 INTRODUCTION
Within the covers
of the Bible are all
the answers for all the
problems men face.
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