WONDERS OF GOD’S WORD (4)

“To the weak I became as weak, that I might win the weak. I have become all things to all men, that I might by all means save some” – 1 Corinthians 9:22a

The Diversity of the Bible is another significant WONDER OF GOD’S WORD: “To the weak I became as weak, that I might win the weak. I have become all things to all men, that I might by all means save some” (1 Cor.9:22). Paul reflected the virtue of diversity. He was willing to adjust means, media, or methods – “become all things to all men” – in order to reach his diverse audience with the One Message – Jesus Christ. Diversity in the Word enables the Church to reach the entire world for Jesus, irrespective of race, age, or status. The diversity of humanity celebrates differences, but unites around God’s Word, which is the final authority on all matters. His Word is wonderful in both the Unity of its Message and the Diversity and variety of the contents within the 66 canonical books.

The unity of Scripture is that the Bible presents a noncontradictory and consistent message concerning God and redemptive history. The fact of diversity is observed in individual authors' presentations of God and history. The Bible is not a book of history, yet it is historical; it is not a book of science, yet it is scientific; and it is not a book of just facts – yet it is factual. God's method of conveying the unified and harmonious Revelation of Himself and His Will to His diverse creation embraces the diversity of time, culture, authors, literary genre, and the theological themes that address the special needs in the progress of that revelation.

The Bible has one heart-beat – that of the infinite God who orchestrated its production, but the intended communication to a vast spectrum of humanity, over a wide time-range, demands diversity. God achieved this task through human instrumentality without violating the integrity of those individuals or obliterating their personal traits and emotions. Diversity of the Bible is complimentary, not contradictory. It comprises the fact that it was written in three languages by at least fourty writers – various personalities from diverse backgrounds.

Moses is credited with the Pentateuch, the first five books of the Bible, while most of the prophets were given credit for the books named after them. The Gospels are named after those who recorded them, and the authors of the Epistles are announced within each letter. Other writers included: kings (David, Solomon), shepherds (Moses, Amos), priests (Zechariah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel), a tentmaker and former Pharisee (Paul), fishermen (Peter John), a tax collector (Matthew), and a doctor (Luke). The One Ultimate Author of the Bible is God Himself.

Books within the Bible were written in different era and times. Covering over 4,000 years, people of the Bible experienced different times and cultures. Moses was born in Egypt, became a shepherd and died a pilgrim enroute Canaan. The epochs covered in Kings and Chronicles were written during times of plenty and times of need, times of obedience and times of disobedience. Hosea wrote during times of prosperity. Lamentations was written in times of great loss. Daniel was written during two different empires (Babylonian and Mede-Persia). Isaiah was written before captivity and after the nation was defeated and taken captive. Paul and the other apostles wrote during a time of Roman rule.

The Bible was written on three continents. Most was written in what is modern-day Israel (Asia), but some passages of Jeremiah were written in Egypt, Africa (Jeremiah 43) and several New Testament epistles were written from European cities (I, II Corinthians, Romans). In addition, the Bible has several literary genres. Psalms are considered to be poetry. The Epistles are letters to churches and individuals. The Book of Revelation has created its own genre of “apocalyptic” literature. There are also history books, prophecies, and law.

God longs for the whole world: “After these things I looked, and behold, a great multitude which no one could number, of all nations, tribes, peoples, and tongues, standing before the throne and before the Lamb...” (Rev.7:9). The Wonder of God’s Word is in its amazing unity in diversity and astounding harmony in variety!