Continuing on with the look at Dr. Towns book, What's Right with the Church, we pause today to consider the Bible.
A.W. Tozer in the Pursuit of God says, "The Bible is the written Word of God, and because it is written it is confined and limited by the necessities of ink, and paper and leather. The voice of God however is alive and free as the sovereign God is free. "The words that I speak to you are spirit and life." The life is in the speaking words. God's Word in the Bible can have power only because it corresponds to God's Word in the universe. It is the present voice that makes the written voice powerful. Otherwise it would lie locked in slumber within the covers of a book."
The Bible, a library of books bound in one cover, gives us a distinct message from the Living Creator God of the universe. The reason that Christians venerate the Bible so much is that it is a living letter written from God to us. It is alive and speaks to our needs today as freshly as it did in the days of Moses. Written over a period of time with various men as scribes transporting the message of God to paper, we today have what God would say to us if we are speaking to Him face to face. The Bible has three main aspects to consider on the value of the Book. The first is revelation. This is "God speaking to man". The second is inspiration - or "man putting it on paper." And the final is illumination, the message moving from "paper to the heart."* When you have the Word of God being read by a man, the written Word of God is enforced by the Living Word of God (Jesus). Faith comes by hearing the Word of God (Romans 10:17).
Dr. Towns states: "All of Christianity grows out of the unique collection of 66 books, written over 16 centuries, which today we call the Bible. It is more than history and doctrine. The Bible is the revelation of God, the message of salvation; and has God's purpose and wonderful plan for us on this earth. The most uncaring "dude" can read its message and be transformed and potentially then become the next apostle Paul who transforms the culture in his world. Churches that get the Bible right are powerful institutions that can transform individuals."**
Just as I heard, believed and received God's message at 10 years of age, the reader can also receive the good news (gospel) of salvation by grace through faith in Jesus Christ.
Today, be sure to read (or start reading) on a daily basis the precious message that God has for us.
*Marshall, Thomas F., (2007). A Student's New Testament Survey. Tate Publishing Inc./Mustang OK. Pp. 19-21.
** Towns, Elmer L. (2009) What's Right with the Church: A manifesto of Hope. Regal/Ventura CA. P. 26.
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