Understanding The Bible as a Unified Story - Tim Mackie

Jul 2, 2024

Understanding the Bible as a Unified Story

Introduction and Personal Remarks

  • Speaker has an awkward relationship with public speaking but a passion for helping people understand the Bible.
  • Shares an embarrassing personal story about a microphone mishap as an icebreaker.

Concept of 'Churchianity' and the Domesticated Bible

  • John Collins described the experience of growing up in "churchianity" with a domesticated view of the Bible.
  • Term 'post-Bible Christian': Wants to follow Jesus but gives up on the Bible.
  • Speaker's own experience: The bewildering Bible left him confused about its relation to Jesus.

Bible Project Resources

  • Aim: Show the Bible as a unified story leading to Jesus.
  • Product of human and divine partnership; written by literary geniuses.
  • Videos and resources: Inviting people to see a new paradigm and explore further.

The New Old Paradigm

  • Paradigm sounds new to Western Christians but is ancient, rooted in Jewish traditions.
  • Looks at the Bible’s design features to show it as a unified story.

Words of Jesus as a Fulcrum

  • Jesus viewed the Bible as a unified story leading to Him (Gospel of Luke).
  • Jesus explained to His disciples that everything about Him was written in the Law of Moses, the Prophets, and the Psalms.

Jesus' View of the Hebrew Scriptures

  • Refers to the Bible in three parts: Torah (Law), Neviim (Prophets), and Ketuvim (Writings) – acronym TANAKH.
  • The three-part shape is essential for understanding the Bible's story.

The Story of the Torah

  • Genesis: Creation, Adam and Eve, human rebellion, and spread of sin.
  • God's calling of Abraham: Promised to bless all nations through his descendants.
  • Israelites: Slaves in Egypt, Moses as a deliverer, Covenant at Mount Sinai.
  • The Torah ends with Moses’ death, predicting Israel's future failures but promising a change of heart.

The Prophets

  • Former Prophets (Joshua, Judges, Samuel, Kings): Israel's history, successes, and failures.
  • Latter Prophets (Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, The Twelve): Focus on future hope and the coming of a new leader (the Messiah).

Writings (Ketuvim)

  • Psalms: Opens with advice to meditate on the scriptures and includes hopes for a future Davidic king (Psalm 2).
  • Other books (Job, Ruth, etc.): Hyperlinked back to earlier parts of the Bible, provide moral and theological insights.

Jesus as the Fulfillment of the Hebrew Bible

  • New Testament presents Jesus as the fulfillment of the Hebrew Scriptures.
  • Matthew: Highlights Jesus’ genealogy, showing him as the descendant of Abraham, David, and the Exile.
  • Jesus' roles: Servant, Son of Man, fulfilling the roles of Prophet, Priest, and King.
  • Jesus' teachings and acts: Redefining what it means to be human and fulfilling God's promises through radical trust and sacrifice.

Conclusion

  • The Bible is a complex, interwoven story revealing the human condition and God’s plan for redemption.
  • Reading the Bible as a unified story can transform how we see ourselves and understand our faith.
  • Encouragement to explore further and let the story of the Bible impact and change you.

Final Thoughts

  • Even if one doubts its truth, the Bible's story offers a beautiful narrative of hope.
  • The speaker’s hope: That resources like the Bible Project help others see and live out this incredible story.

Key Takeaways

  • The Bible is a unified narrative leading to Jesus, authored by human and divine partnership.
  • Jesus viewed and interpreted the Bible as a cohesive story with recurring themes and characters, all pointing toward Him.
  • The Bible's genius lies in its interconnectedness and the perpetual retelling of human failure and God's promise of redemption.
  • Understanding the Bible in this way provides a deeply enriching approach to faith and life.

“Would you like this to be true?” - The story of the Bible is profound, exposing the truth about humanity and offering a hope-filled promise fulfilled in Jesus.

Suggested Actions

  • Engage with the Bible regularly through the lens of it being a unified story leading to Jesus.
  • Utilize resources like the Bible Project to deepen understanding and find new perspectives.
  • Discuss and share these insights with others to foster a deeper communal understanding of the scripture.

References

  • The Bible Project: Website
  • Bible Translations and Study Tools: For personal study and deeper dives into specific topics mentioned.

Full transcript