The Bible (from the greek = byblos; meaning book)

The Bible. The Book, as it were. I have recently heard it stated, or described, that the Bible is not the full expression of who God is, but that it is the very MINIMUM that we require to understand the character of our Almighty Lord and His plan of salvation. It is a selective document put together to give us a glimpse into God's mind and heart and His dealings, feelings and actions towards His creation.


I have read so many different statement's of belief that state the Bible is the FINAL authority on all these godly matters. Well, it certainly states them clearly and gives us more than enough to chew on. It is our only logged reliable account, that I know, of the central actions that provide our salvation and record the great work of Jesus Christ. It is the written insight into the Truth of who Jesus Christ truly is. These I do not doubt. But what do people mean by final authority? Is this still a worisome dreg left over from the cup of anger we poured out on the Roman Catholics in the 16th century? What of all the evidence and God-encounters and life experience we gain in living for Christ? What of all the things HE has revealed to me that I have not found written in the Bible? What of all the things not explained and seemingly unexplainable, in the Bible?


Here's a quote from Brian McLaren's book "The Story We Find Ourselves In"


"... I think that's another flase impression that preachers and pastors often give: that the Bible is God's answer book to remove all mysteries and make everything simple and clear. The fact is, the Bible deals with life's absurdities and craziness with pretty amazing honesty. Sometimes, the best the Bible does is to name the agony, you know, just describe it without attempting to resolve it or explain it. Sometiems, I think the Bible is more of a question book than answer book; it raises questions that bring people together for conversation about life's most important issues."