ESV Bible (English Standard Valentine)
Some things just won’t die.
You can shoot them, strangle them, whatever- they just keep coming back.
Zombies are one example.
(Sorry, I’ve been reading too much The Walking Dead.)
Another (much more relevant) example is this old idea that The Bible is God’s “love letter” about you.
I can see why it is so pernicious.
It’s a sweet sentiment.
“Oh, God loves me! And he wrote me a letter! For me! ’Cause I’m just so darned lovable, obviously! I love you too, Jesus!”
Yes, it’s very cute idea.
It’s also dead wrong.
Listen, because this is important.
The Bible is NOT about you!
The old “love letter” trope is not only contrary to good sense, it’s contrary to what Jesus says about The Bible!
“You search the Scriptures… But the Scriptures point to me!” (John 5:39, NLT)
What is The Bible, then?
If The Bible is not God’s “love letter”, then what is it?
The Bible is God’s autobiography.
The Bible is both from God and about God.
(Also, the most referenced attribute of God in The Bible is NOT his love! It is his Holiness, his “God-ness”, basically.)
Having said that, yes, it is true that God loves his people. But let us not reduce the majestic self-revelation of God to a “love letter”, as if The Lord God Almighty was some creepy, codependent boyfriend. The Word of God is far more Glorious than that.
But don’t take my word for it.
Watch this clip from the great Dr. Tim Keller regarding Jesus as the focus of the entire Bible, and then answer the Question below!
Dr. Tim Keller: What is the Bible about?
Question:
What is your favorite statement from God about Himself as recorded in The Bible?
Leave a comment below and let us know!
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Hello David!
I’d like to disagree with your post on the grounds that you are assuming that a “love letter” is restricted to a juvenile love. I do agree that many people have “Love” all wrong, and I don’t believe that love is really an emotion, rather a connection that lasts through wavering and weak emotions such as attraction, anger, and sadness. However, Ephesians 5:22-33 makes a strong analogy between God/Church and Husband/Wife. I’d say that the Bible is a “true” love letter, in the way that love is a commitment and painful, yet calming and rewarding. The kind of love between a Groom and Bride, and not a boyfriend/girlfriend as you said. Can a husband not write a devotional letter to his betrothed? I think that such a letter would be far more inspiring and powerful that merely an account of one’s life.
While the Bible may be divinely inspired, it was written from the perspective of many other authors (a fact that is a miracle all on it’s own!). Hence, I don’t agree that it is an auto-biography nor even a biography. Not all of the events described in the Bible are accounts of God’s life directly. I do not believe that God directly interacts with every action taken throughout eternity, hence it is implausible to assume that because it is included in the Bible God must have had a biographical influence on the situation.
In answer to your question, here is my excerpt. :)
I look forward to reading the rest of your writings!
I wasn’t sure what to expect from your tweet (I’m relatively new to your site/thoughts).
But I agree totally. Pride has a way of insinuating itself into every aspect of our lives, so much so that we think wrong is right and right is wrong. I’ve heard that somewhere before. Maybe someone should write it down.
I think my favorite statement about God re:Himself is: I AM.
I am not sure I have a favorite but one that came to mind is in 1 John 1:9. That God is “faithful and just to forgive us”. God is faithful to the point that his plan from the beginning was to sacrifice himself and uphold the covenant himself while also incurring the wrath we deserve for breaking his laws. So that his faithfulness and justice cannot be questioned while forgiving those who deserve nothing but wrath.
Very good.Thank you very much
Great post!! One of my favorite passages is Isaiah 46:9-10
“Remember the former things long past,For I am God, and there is no other;
I am God, and there is no one like Me, Declaring the end from the beginning,
And from ancient times things which have not been done,
Saying, ‘My purpose will be established, And I will accomplish all My good pleasure
Thank you! That is a great one. It is good to know that The King is sovereign! Thanks for reading!
-Dave