Why did God give us the Bible? What’s the point of it all?

Many people think that the Bible is just a historical record - it tells us what happened in the past. To an extent, this is true. The Bible is absolutely correct and trustworthy in all of the historical details given, and the field of archaeology continues to show this to be true. However, if the Bible was meant to be just a history book, it seems like some very important details are left out.

Have you ever wondered why we don’t know anything about Jesus’ childhood? Or what happened to Joseph, his earthly “father”? In fact, hundreds of years will go by with no mention at all, while a very short span of history (say, the life of Abraham and his family) are described in detail. Why? Because the point is not just to record history.

Even more people believe that the Bible is meant to be a moral guide. Have you heard the Bible referred to as “Basic Instructions Before Leaving Earth?” While it again holds true that the Bible does give us guidance on how to live, not every story included in the text prescriptively tells me how to live. Take a cursory read through the book of Judges and you have quite a disturbing plot for an R rated movie! Why does God include these awful stories in His Word? Well, it certainly is not because they tell us how to live!

So, why do we have it? Why bother reading it?? Unfortunately, even if you were raised in the Church, you may have a two-dimensional view of the Bible. I like to call this “flannel graph theology!” We know the “who, what, when, and where” in detail. Maybe you were even on a quiz team and know lots of Bible trivia (Quick! How many cubits wide and long was the Ark of the Covenant?). But, what is far too often missing is the WHY. Many times we even discourage people from asking these questions. Why do we live this way? “That’s just what good Christians do.” Why is this weird story about a talking donkey in the Bible? (Sometimes we avoid that all together by not teaching the “weird” ones!)

Let me tell you a life-changing secret: The Bible is not about us, or even some amazing people in ancient history!! The Bible’s main purpose is to reveal God! HE is the primary purpose – to tell us about our Creator, Redeemer, Father, and Lord of the universe. The Bible doesn’t just tell us who did what, or how to live. The Bible reveals God’s character, His plan for the ages, and His relentless pursuit of His people. It tell us WHY we should do certain things (because of the character of our God), rather than just WHAT to do. It paints amazing pictures of complex characters throughout its pages, not to lift them up and glorify the people, but to show the amazing grace, sovereignty, justice, compassion, etc. of the God behind it all.

So, you want to know Who God is? Put down The Shack and pick up His Word – it’s all about God!