Major Theme of the Bible

[Godsdrummer]

Originally Posted by KeptByTheWord

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.

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.

[Lafon]

Originally Posted by KeptByTheWord

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.

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!

[KeptByTheWord]

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.

[Lafon]

Originally Posted by KeptByTheWord

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.

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.

[acerrak]

Originally Posted by KeptByTheWord

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.

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

[stephenroehm]

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.

[Godsdrummer]

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.

[Timmy]

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?

[BroMatt]

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.