The Bible is a special book.  Although it is one book it is made up of 66 books.  Some are long (e.g. Isaiah); others are short (e.g. 3 John).  Together they form a unique book.

What makes the Bible special?  Something of its uniqueness is hinted at in the longer title that we see used.  Often the word holy is added to form the title Holy Bible.  The word holy is important.  It helps us to appreciate that the Bible is different to any other book ever published.

In what does its holiness consist?  To answer that question we need to consider (1) its Author, (2) its message and (3) its purpose.

Author

We know that men like Moses, David, John and Paul had a part in its origin.  There are writings within the Bible attributed to them.  John, for example, wrote a gospel and three letters.  Paul also wrote letters, whilst David wrote many songs or psalms.

Over a period of more than 1500 years people of differing age, background, and character wrote parts of it.  But they did so under the  unseen guiding hand of Almighty God.  Ultimately God is its Author.  He is holy, and all that he does has the stamp of holiness upon it.

The word holy refers to the perfection and purity of God’s being.  Because he is perfect what he does is perfect.  Because he is pure what he does is pure.  It therefore follows that the actions of a pure and perfect God must also be pure and perfect.  The Bible is therefore holy.The apostle Paul reminded Timothy that the Bible did not merely have its origin in the minds of those who wrote the different parts of it.  I do not doubt that their minds were engaged as they wrote.  I do not want to give any hint that they functioned as mere channels who did not think carefully about what they wrote.  The opposite was the case.  They thought very carefully.  The evidence indicates that each word was chosen with great care.

Nor do I want to give the impression that God was not active when the authors were busy dictating or writing.  Paul says that the Bible is an inspired book.  He uses a term that more literally means “breathed out” by God (2 Timothy 3:16).  In other words, Paul wants us to grasp that in the last analysis it must said that God is the author of the Bible.

God used different individuals with different personalities.  He used a variety of people who had a variety of experiences.  And he used them over a considerable period of time with the purpose of providing mankind, but especially his people, with an authoritative guide for all maters of belief and behaviour.

The Bible then is not just a book about God.  It is also a book from God.  It therefore comes as no surprise to us when God’s Church confesses with confidence that the Bible is the vox Dei, the very “voice of God” to mankind.

Message

It is not just the Author of the Bible who makes its special.  Its content or message does so as well.

The Bible is sometimes described as being normative.  That means it sets a standard.  The choice of words is deliberate.  Its message is the norm against which all other comments about God, his plans, and his will must be judged.

Why is it normative?  Those who listen to its message find that its authority lies in the fact that its content claims to be from God.  That claim is then re-enforced by the example of Jesus Christ.  He shows that its content is from God and not just men.  Note what he did when he resisted the devil at the time of temptation.  “It is written” was in effect his cry.  And when he is engaged in debate about marriage and divorce he refers to the defining teaching found in the first few chapters of the Bible (see Matthew 5 verses 31f and  and 19 verse 1ff).  

The practice of Christ was followed by the apostles.  And it has been followed by countless Christians down the years.  The church rightly declares that the Bible is above every other book.  It is to be put first.  And it is to be the standard by which we assess and judge all things.

We sometimes hear the word canon used in relation to Scripture (not to be confused with cannon used by soldiers).  Canon means rule.  It is the standard by which all other things are measured.  Scripture is the norm, the measuring rod by which all things are to be judged.

We often use lesser standards to regulate our lives, but even then all regulations are subordinate to Scripture.  The Bible is the standard by which all other norms are to be measured.  It is not just the “first among equals.”  No other standard shares its status or function.  The Lord Jesus accepted its authority.  His followers do the same.  And they do so with a sense of thankfulness.

Christians are thankful that God has spoken.  They are thankful that God has caused his written Word to be preserved for the benefit of all people.  And they are thankful that the Holy Spirit of God convinces and persuades them that the Bible is the norm of norms to which we are to gladly submit.  They are persuaded that it is the God-given standard of truth, the one infallible rule, which God has given to mankind.

It comes from a holy God who reveals to us the only way by which individuals may come into a right relationship with him.  Its focus is on Jesus Christ, who is the Way, the Truth, and the Life.  He is the altogether pure and holy One who lived a pure and holy life for the benefit of sinful people so that they may be reconciled to God through faith in him.  We now turn to consider its purpose.

Purpose

Why was the Bible written?  It was so that we might know:

(1) who God is;

(2) how he wants us to live;

(3) what God has provided and promised us; and

(4) what God wants his people to make known to others.

Put succinctly, it was written so that you and I might live a holy and godly life.

The Reformers of the sixteenth century recognized the unique authority of the Bible.  Hence they insisted on Scripture alone (sola Scriptura) as the final authority in all matters of belief and behaviour.They did not despise other authorities.  Nor did they despise the value of tradition and the creeds.  Their concern was that they should not be given a place above or alongside the Bible.  Instead they recognised the authority of the Bible as the final infallible rule for faith and practice.

God calls each Christian to pursue holiness.  Our trust in him is to be childlike, but our understanding is to be be mature.  Such maturity is the fruit of the study of God’s Word.  The disciples of Christ are to meditate on it daily.  In particular they do so remembering its Author, Message and Purpose.       © EPC  24 May 2015