The Bible in Pictures

The other day I saw a church newsletter that meant to advertise an upcoming "Bible study" but instead it said "Bible sturdy." As misprints go, that's a good one. The Bible can make our faith sturdy.

All Scripture is inspired and authoritative. No other book has the final say-so about what we should believe and do. The Bible's message is simple enough for a child and challenging enough for a scholar. It's clear and mysterious at the same time, profound but practical.

Our forefathers in the faith urged us to "do Bible things in Bible ways, and call Bible things by Bible names." We ought to proclaim the same Christ the apostles preached, baptize the way they did in the New Testament, help the poor the way believers did in the book of Acts, and lead our families according to biblical principles. Another great slogan says, "Where the Scriptures speak, we speak; where the Scriptures are silent, we are silent." If we put that ideal into practice, there would be a lot more clarity in our message and a lot less division in the church.

When I was a boy, my parents gave me a children's Bible filled with pictures. I spent a lot of time staring at the artists' renditions of my favorite stories like Daniel in the lion's den or David and Goliath. My adult Bible still contains a lot of pictures, but they are word pictures to help me appreciate the value of Scripture.

Precious metals. "The law from your mouth is more precious to me than thousands of pieces of silver and gold," says Psalm 119:72.

Honey. In a world filled with bitterness, "How sweet are your words to my taste, sweeter than honey to my mouth!" (v. 103).

Light. In a dark world, we need help to find our way. God's Word "is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path" (v. 105).

A breath of fresh air. "I open my mouth and pant, longing for your commands" (v. 131).

A compass and a roadmap. Or perhaps we might say the Bible is our Global Positioning System, pointing us in the direction we need to go. "Direct my footsteps according to your word" (v. 133).

A yardstick or a ruler. The Bible provides a steady standard of moral measurement. "The statutes you have laid down are righteous; they are fully trustworthy" (v. 138). The Greek kanon (from which we derive our word "cane") meant a straight stick or measuring rod. This word came to refer to the canon of Scripture, the books recognized as genuine, inspired, and authoritative.

Fire (to burn away impurities) and a hammer. "Is not my word like fire," the Lord asked, "and like a hammer that breaks a rock in pieces?" (Jeremiah 23:29).

A mirror. "Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like a man who looks at his face in a mirror and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like" (James 1:23, 24).

A sword. "Take . . . the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God" (Ephesians 6:17).

Owner's manual. Our Designer gives us instructions for life, and "his commands are not burdensome" (1 John 5:3).

A good news announcement. The Bible is far more than a book of religious laws. It not only tells how to do things right; it also tells how to be forgiven when we do things wrong. The heart of the Book is the good news of Jesus and his saving grace.

Yes, Bible study will make our faith sturdy. But let's never forget the Book's central theme. Christ is the one who brings the whole picture into focus.