Major Theme of the Bible
 

Perhaps this issue has been addressed previously on this forum (if so I was unable to locate it), but even so, I believe its relevance and importance is worthy of examination, and perhaps the thoughts and opinions of others could serve to increase our knowledge of the Bible.

I've been pondering these thoughts (for quite some period of time) concerning the "Major Theme" of the Bible; what one word might be most fitting to describe that "theme," and where might one locate this answer within the context of the Bible itself (that is to say, within the context of what scriptural passage(s) is this "theme" revealed).

First, I think it best to attain an understanding of everything which the English word "theme" implies: upon discovery we read that it is defined as that which relates the main idea, moral, or message, of an essay, paragraph, movie, or book. The message may be about life, society, or human nature. Themes often explore timeless and universal ideas and are almost always implied rather than stated explicitly. Theme is also defined as a word which describes a specific subject or topic on which a person speaks, writes, or thinks in a particular way; an idea that recurs in or pervades a work of art or literature; and, an essay on a set subject.

Retaining this definition at the forefront of our thoughts, then what singular word do you believe best describes (i.e., gives a detailed account in words) the "Major Theme" of the Bible; and, what passage(s) best connotes (i.e., implies or suggests in addition to its primary or literal meaning) this significant fact?

In your response, please provide a brief summary of the manner in which you believe the scriptural passage(s) you've chosen, best supports that "singular word" which describes the "Major Theme" of the Bible.

For "openers," allow me to acknowledge that the One who expresses this "theme" is none other than God, our Heavenly Creator, so with this being said, the issue being addressed is not the "Author" of the Bible, rather the specific, unique, and peculiar "theme" to which its contents apply.

Re: Major Theme of the Bible
 

Not sure how to put it in one single word, but to me the theme of the Bible is the return of man to the Kingdom of the Garden, back to the pre-fall status of Adam with Christ as our Adam now, and the transition towards that from Old Covenant to New.

Re: Major Theme of the Bible
 

more than one word.. God wants to have a relationship with man, his greatest creation

Re: Major Theme of the Bible
 

Reconciliation or restoration. To bring man back to God, without sin. He restoreth my soul.

Re: Major Theme of the Bible
 

Major Theme: I can never do anything to make God stop loving me, because I never did anything to make him start loving me.


Other themes just are really descriptors about his character, which is what the story points to:

Faithfulness
Perseverance
Compassion
Redeemer

Re: Major Theme of the Bible
 

Yes, Cindy, as a manner of speaking, I believe that perhaps either the singular word reconciliation or restoration could best fit the bill, in a broad general sense, to describe the "Major Theme" of the Bible, however, I was thinking even beyond this. The word(s) you've expressed as best describing the "Major Theme" of the Bible, are ones which point to something even "deeper," that is to say, what specific thing, or event precipitated, caused, or gave birth to a need for mankind's reconciliation to God, our Heavenly Creator, even before He spoke the first words of creation? (Perhaps I wasn't as clear in my questions about this within the context of my initial posting as I should have been..... my bad....please forgive.)

After countless hours of pondering this matter, here is what I have concluded as my response:

It is written in Revelation 13:8 (alluding to circumstances which relate to the coming Antichrist), that ....all that dwell upon the earth shall worship him, whose names are not written in the book of life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world. Because of this phrase that I have taken the liberty to underline (which is found only once within the context of the entire Bible), we discover that, in the infinite wisdom and foreknowledge of God, the "singular" issue, or topic (i.e., "Major Theme" of the Bible, which outlines, or contains the revelation of the intricate details of all that He has "purposed" to do), was centered upon the DEATH of His own fleshly body (which is to say, the "crucifixion" of Christ Jesus).

This is to say, that even BEFORE God uttered the first creative words, He who knows the "end from the beginning," foresaw the DEATH of His own substantive body of human flesh, therefore everything which preceded even the creation of mankind, and even before DEATH entered into the world, all of His actions would be focused upon this "singular" issue! Therefore I believe it would be proper to state that the word DEATH best defines the "Major Theme" of the Bible, and its contents contains the intricate details of the wondrous plan of redemption for the souls of mankind which He caused to be effectuated by His own experience of DEATH.

In the briefest of terms in my effort to explain why I believe the "singular" word DEATH, being supported by the phrase "the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world," best serves to answer the question of the "Major Theme" of the Bible, I believe perhaps one should take into consideration the following that is found written in II Samuel 14:14 -"For we must needs die, and are as water spilt on the ground, which cannot be gathered up again; neither doth God respect any person: YET DOTH HE DEVISE MEANS, THAT HIS BANISHED BE NOT EXPELLED FROM HIM."

Because the language of the Bible plainly decrees (in the most emphatic of terms) that ALL mankind "must needs die," also that NONE shall be granted an exemption from the experience of DEATH ("neither doth God respect ANY person"), and, lest we forget, Jesus advises us that "the scriptures cannot be broken," then it should be easily understood that DEATH is, indeed, the "Major Theme" of the Bible. And because of this, it is critically important that ALL mankind recognize and acknowlege that the most significant "reason" for the Bible's content, is that it serves to reveal the "means" (which is to say, the agent or method for achieving a result) which God "devised" for the reconciliation of sinful man to Himself. Thus we see that in the absence of the written word of God, the Bible, mankind would possess no explicit directions whereby he might become knowledgeable of that which God demands of us whereby that restoration (which Mike Blume noted in his response) might occur.

Of course, there might be others who would disagree with this expressed personal beliefs, however, I submit these statements for your consideration of their merits.

Re: Major Theme of the Bible
 

Wasn't death conquered? Wouldn't it be prudent to say the main theme is life and that eternal?

Re: Major Theme of the Bible
 

In one word, the major theme is Jesus Christ. All things were made by Him and for his pleasure....(Rev 4:11) All scriptures revolve around the revelation of Jesus Christ...

Colossians 1
26Even the mystery which hath been hid from ages and from generations, but now is made manifest to his saints: 27To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory:

The mystery which God hid from all ages was/is the manifestation of Jesus Christ.

Re: Major Theme of the Bible
 

Restoration plus!

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Absolutely! Jesus alone is the fulfillment of ALL God has spoken. EVERYthing else is ancillary. In Jesus alone comes atonement, forgiveness, reconciliation and fellowship with God!

Mark..1:14-15
¶ Now after that John was put in prison, Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God,
And saying, The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the gospel.

There are many topical studies devoted to the themes of the Bible. The Major theme is nothing short of the mystery of godliness that enabled mankind to have fellowship with the Creator.

1 Timothy..3:16
And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory

It is all about Jesus.

Re: Major Theme of the Bible
 

Yes, God did, indeed, conquer the devastating, and eternally insurmountable effect of death, but wouldn't it be more prudent to first determine what wrought the "necessity" for its "conquering"? Surely you would readily agree that it is quite impossible to "conquer" something which doesn't even exist, right?

If "death" did not exist, then God's "conquering" of it would become a non-existant thing, wouldn't you think?

If "death" had never entered into mankind's "life," then would there even exist a need for the Bible? Adam obviously enjoyed communion with God prior to the entrance of "death" which negatively impacted that personal one-on-one relationship which he had been privileged to enjoy, did he not? Did not "death" sever that relationship? Of course!

Therefore "if" (Oh! There's that small word which keeps coming to the forefront) "death" had never became a "reality" which ALL mankind must confront (and determine the manner in which its effects might be overcome), then would we really "need" the Bible? I don't think so, for we, much like Adam did in the beginning, would also be privileged to enjoy continuous communion with God! In the absence of "death" ALL of mankind would possess "eternal life."

Do these statements "make sense" to you, and perhaps help you to better grasp why I believe the "singular" word DEATH best defines the "Major Theme" of the Bible? I pray that they do.

Re: Major Theme of the Bible
 

I agree (to a certain degree, that is) however, this brings to the fore the question of "why" the incarnation of Deity was required, which is to say, what "event" brought about the necessity for God's manifestation in human flesh? Was it not because of the existence of the eternally devastating consequences of the penalty of "death;" an event, the effects of which mankind possesses absolutely NO power to overcome?

What wrought the reality of mankind's "need" for a Savior (which we know is none other than Jesus)? What brought into existence mankind's need for "atonement, forgiveness, reconciliation and fellowship with God"? Was it not the "consequence" of death which every soul must experience? To simply, or only, say that the "Major Theme" of the Bible "...is all about Jesus," does not, in and of itself, provide sufficient reason for His manifestation in flesh, so it is because of this I feel more comfortable with the "singular" word DEATH as being the "Major Theme" of the Bible. (I suspect you'll continue to disagree with this, nevertheless this is how I respond to my initial question about this matter.)

Re: Major Theme of the Bible
 

Absolutely, Mike! The "plus," of course, being the underlying REASON why "restoration" became such a "necessity" for the incarnation of Deity in human flesh, and its subsequent experience of DEATH to effectuate God's plan for mankind's "reconciliation" to Himself.

I think we are, as a manner of speaking, "on the same page" here.

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Amen. The PLUS also means we got far more out of this than what Adam had to begin with. So we are restored to what he had before the fall, plus a lot more.

Re: Major Theme of the Bible
 

The destruction of evil.

Consider that Lucifer had already been cast out and the whole creation of our current Universe is a part of God's master plan to end his reign. Humans are a piece of that plan, albeit a major piece.

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I agree that death and Jesus are definitely the major themes of the Bible, but I have to go back to the greatest commandment of all - Love. Were it not for Love, God's love for us, there would have been no Bethleham and a Calvary. God could have left us to our own destruction, but his LOVE for mankind brought about redemption from DEATH through JESUS.

Re: Major Theme of the Bible
 

I agree the theme of the bible is LOVE anything other would be counter productive to the mind of God. Death is the opposite of Love God is Love. Jesus said I came to bring life , nothing God did to Isreal in OT was out of negative feelings it was all for Love. Just as a father that loves his child will dicipline him/her it is for Love. God did not give Adam death he gave him LOVE and life. Adam brought death (separation from God) into his life. That is another thing I don't believe when God speaks of death it is of this mortal body. He speaks of life and death as separation from relationship with him.

Just my thought on the subject. As I have said before the bible is a guide book to relationship with God. With examples of those that have found and lost said relationship.

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I understand what you are saying but death is not from the beginning to the ending of the BIble. God had a relationship with his creation until death came about and then continued to have a relationship after death was destoryed.. So i would indeed compass the whole of Scripture to be relationship with man, his greatest creation. Everything seemed to stem from that.. do you understand my point as well?

Re: Major Theme of the Bible
 

In my efforts to answer the question concerning the "Major Theme" of the Bible, and trying to decide what "singular" word might best describe/portray that, I expended a great amount of time trying to decide between DEATH and LOVE. I elected that it should be the former rather than the latter, and this primarily because of that small phrase found in Revelation 13:8 - "...the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world." As I pondered this, I began to think along this line: What event brought about a "need" for a "Lamb" to be slain so that I might be reconciled to God? It was then that I realized the importance of the word "slain," which is to say, be killed.

I view God's LOVE for mankind as being the single greatest "motivational force" which brought into existence all of the visible universe, including mankind which He created "in His image." However, having said this, I think it must be recognized that even before God spoke the first words of creation, and created mankind as a final act, He foresaw the fact that man's willful rebellion would give birth to the penalty of DEATH, thereby disrupting the intended relationship which He desired to have with mankind. I also believe that it was because of this impeding factor, coupled with His "righteousness," that He chose, as the central element of His plan for the reconciliation of mankind to Himself, the incarnation and resultant DEATH of His own flesh to effectutate that plan, with LOVE being, as I have already stated, the "motivational force" which caused, or moved Him to devise and implement this redemptive plan.

So, yes, I do wholeheartedly agree with you that LOVE played an extremely important part in God's redemptive plan for mankind, but it was DEATH which made that plan an absolute necessity, and that only God could "devise" the "means" whereby we, by obedience thereto, might become reconciled to Him. I thank God for His LOVE for me, without which I, nor any other, could have no hope of redemption!

Re: Major Theme of the Bible
 

Yes, I do, in fact, understand your point, for it is a valid one. However, as you noted, death is not from the beginning, yet I must ask: was it not death which gave birth to God's plan of redemption for mankind?

I would also be quick to add that the relationship with God which Adam enjoyed in the beginning, is yet to be realized "in its fulness," for such will not be accomplished until we are truly reconciled with Him in the kingdom of heaven. That can only happen after death, our last enemy, has been defeated. While the death of Christ Jesus at Calvary made it possible for mankind to overcome the eternal consequences of death, nevertheless we must still experience its immediate effect, that is to say, the experience of the death of our earthly fleshly bodies. It is an indisputable fact that Jesus' death, burial and resurrection was not intended to do that.

Re: Major Theme of the Bible
 

I guess it would depend on how one viewed the relationship Adam had with God in the beginning. In my opinion, that was how God intended it to be. We as man with free will introduced rebellion which resulted in death. The rest of the Bible works toward restoring what we originally had with Him in the garden. Thats my personal opinion though. The second communion with God in the holy city will definitely be grand, but what would have happened if Adam had never sinned?

Re: Major Theme of the Bible
 

Now that is a million dollar question! And the only answer I am able to even venture to give is this......... it would be a whole lot different than anyone could have ever imagined!

I'm certainly thankful to God for making it possible for that relationship which He once enjoyed with Adam to be restored, and that He has given me the assurance that I shall have it (if I remain faithful to Him unto death, that is).

Re: Major Theme of the Bible
 

But doesn't God know the end from the beginning? Don't you think God KNEW when He created this world how it was going to turn out right down to the end? He is the Alpha and Omega! That's why I am persuaded that the only way you can sum up the Bible in one word is LOVE.

Re: Major Theme of the Bible
 

In Post #19 I expressed the turmoil which I experienced as I sought to determine the singular word which I thought best portrayed the "Major Theme" of the Bible, describing how I struggled between the choises of LOVE and DEATH, and why I elected the latter.

Now the fact that I chose DEATH does not imply, or even infer in any manner whatsoever, that it is either the correct or only answer, but simply the one I selected. Saying this, I can certainly appreciate why you have chosen LOVE instead.

Should you read my previous posts carefully I think you will also find I have stated that, in my opinion, God's love for mankind was the "motivating factor" which prompted Him to do all that He has sought to do on mankind's behalf.

I appreciate your expresions of belief.

Re: Major Theme of the Bible
 

Even more basic than death, perhaps, is the reason for all that death (the death that we deserve, and the death of God's Son)? The thing we hope to escape? The reason we need redemption in the first place? How about WRATH?

Re: Major Theme of the Bible
 

thats really Good, I myself would label the Bible redemption, cause through out it God was and is working to save People

Re: Major Theme of the Bible
 

Love. Without it, you have no true redemption, reconciliation, forgiveness, mercy, repentance, reformation, revival, salvation, restoration or life. Without love, all you have are counterfeit examples of the real thing.

1 John 4:8 He that loveth not knoweth not God, for God is love.

There is no other theme in the Bible, just supporting ideas and examples to illustrate and reinforce the power, magnitude, and importance of love.

Re: Major Theme of the Bible
 

To say the kingdom of God is not here today is to deney what Christ did on the cross in my opinion. Our relationship with God was never intended to be after we left this life but in this life.

The Gospel was not Acts 2:38, the gospel is "the good news that the kingdom of God has come". This is what we are told to go into the world to proclaim. Jesus came to restore the the relationship lost in the garden. To say different would defeat the purpose God created the world and mankind.

Again the bible is a guide book to lead us to relationship with God, rules and regulations will not do that. As Jesus told the religious rulers of his day that had tried to define salvation in thier rules and regulations, Jesus said "you search the scriptures thinking you have found salvation, but those scriptures only speak of me"

We too have done what the religious leader of Christ day have done. We have searched the scriptures finding this work and that work from the words of God thinking we please him in these things. When we miss the whole point, we are not bound by the law (rules and regulations) those things do not bring or insure salvation. Salvation is through faith in the love and work of Christ on the cross.

Because when we were still in sin God loved us and gave himself for us.

Now that is Love.

Re: Major Theme of the Bible
 

actually God has done half the work in remaining faithful as he put within you the desire to do His Will, so really half the work is down :)

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No the million dollar question is: did not God restore the relationship with man that was enjoyed in the garden, after the cross? We seem to forget that when we leave this world the type of relationship Adam and Eve had will be lost as we will no longer dwell in a temporal body. The only difference we have that Adam did not have is that we still retain the knowledge of good and evil.

I have found in him (God) an increasing joy in this life, because of who he is, that I can only imagine, what it will be like when I leave this world. But while I am in this world I intend to get all that God intends for me to recieve of his Love.

The joy of raising a family, the joy of finding out all I can of this world God created just for me. The joy of fellowship with other Christians, the joy of sharing family time with God in our midst. I could go on the list is never ending, so I feel sorry for those that sit and look and wait for his second comming missing out on the joy God has for us today.

Now that is Love.

Re: Major Theme of the Bible
 

i like that one...

Re: Major Theme of the Bible
 

Love

Joh 3:16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.