Chapter 13. : The Book God Breathed
The Bible is nonnegotiable. It is a vital, central element in Christian faith and life. And, it matters what we do with it and how we read it.
What Is the Bible? The makeup and history of the Bible is described. We have far better sources (both in age and in number) for the Biblical writings than any other ancient document (Plato for example).
God’s Inspired Word. Scripture, like the sacraments, is one of the points where heaven and earth overlap and interlock. 2 Tim. 3:16-7 says God’s word is to “equip us for every good work”. That is the point. “The Bible is there to enable God’s people to be equipped to do God’s work in God’s world, not to give them an excuse to sit back smugly, knowing they possess all God’s truth.”
Chapter 14: The Story and the Task
What do we mean when we say the Bible is “authoritative.” Wright says the Bible is not a description of the saving plan of God—it is a part of the saving plan itself. He uses the metaphor of a novel for the Bible.
Listening for God’s Voice. Reading scripture, like praying and the sacraments, is one of the means where the life of heaven and the life of earth intersect. Scripture is there to guide us to what God wants us to do, and more precisely, what he wants to do through us.
The Challenge of Interpretation. A discussion of literal and metaphorical interpretation of the Bible and how it should be done.