Freedom is Good News Part 126

The bible, from Genesis through Revelation, is a unified piece of literature consisting of 66 books with approximately 40 authors.  That statement, in itself, is astounding.  I do not believe that there is anything like it in all of the world’s literature.  The one thing that makes it a unified text is that its editor is God. 

Yes, God used humans to pen this tome in order that we might have an instruction manual for life itself!

Paul put it this way, “But as for you, Timothy, continue in what you have learned and have firmly believed, knowing from whom you learned it and how from childhood you have been acquainted with the sacred writings, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus.  All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be competent, equipped for every good work.” (2 Tim. 3:14-17)

Paul, here, is urging his young assistant to continue to teach the scriptures.  These scriptures with which Timothy was acquainted, consisted of the Old Testament; Genesis through Malachi.  In his first letter to Timothy, Paul tells him to, “Devote yourself to the public reading of Scripture, to preaching and to teaching.” (1 Tim. 4:13)

The only Scriptures extant at that time were the Old Testament.  These scriptures, Paul tells him, were “able to make you wise for salvation through Jesus Christ”.  Consider that for the time being – we’ll talk some more about it next time (God willing).