B.I.B.L.E. This is the classic abbreviation for “Basic Instructions Before Leaving Earth,” and I almost want to hurl just typing that.
Let me cover the disclaimer portion of my post prior to giving you my thoughts on the matter. Many times we Lutherans are labeled “antinomians” because we proclaim God’s forgiveness for wretched sinners with “no strings attached.” In our confession, we have a section that delves into 3rd use of Law. Section VI of the Formula of Concord:
“…we unanimously believe, teach, and confess that although the truly believing and truly converted to God and justified Christians are liberated and made free from the curse of the Law, yet they should daily exercise themselves in the Law of the Lord, as it is written, Ps. 1, 2; 119.”
So although many continue to paint us as “antinomians,” our confession directly talks about the use of law.
Getting back to the matter at hand, make no mistake about it, the B.I.B.L.E acronym is pure law and the problem with it is that it changes the focus of the whole Bible. It makes the lens that a person primarily uses to read God’s Word “all about me.” Sure, there are lessons to learn from the Bible, but the Bible is a story about Jesus.
“And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he (Jesus) interpreted to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning himself,” (Luke 24:27).
The promise of our Lord and Savior happens in Genesis just after the fall. Throughout the Old Testament there are foreshadowing indications that point to the redeemer to come and the New Testament is the revelation of our redeemer. When we insist on making the Bible into a rule book, we miss much of the redeemer’s work and foreshadowing by placing us in the story as the main character. An example of this is, “I can be David and triumph over my problems,” rather than Christ has defeated the enemies and redeemed His people.
Yes, a person can follow and find rules in the Bible to live by and that is a good thing. God’s law is holy and is not the problem—we are the problem. If a person focuses on the triumphs of man, they will miss God’s amazing grace and mercy displayed to His creation. Some will see the story of Noah and focus on, “See! With God, a man can build this big ole ark and accomplish God’s will,” rather than God saving and cleansing the world (1 Peter 3:19-22).
If you truly want to view the Bible as “basic instructions before leaving earth,” then let’s not lower the bar. Our example is not David, Moses, Peter or Paul.
The instruction is to:
“…be perfect…as your Heavenly Father is perfect.”
–Matt 5:48
The instruction is to:
“…love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind, and your neighbor as yourself.” And he said to him, “You have answered correctly; do this, and you will live.”
–Luke 10:27-28
After all the great deeds of Moses, let’s not forget that God did not allow him to enter the Promised Land because of his doubt. Moses had to tap the rock twice! Oh, now you want to talk about grace and mercy?
In conclusion, I agree that great life lessons and instruction can be found in the Bible. But great life instructions can also be found in Dr. Seuss books, self help books, and on Oprah. The purpose of the examples in the Bible are not mainly to give testimonies of great people, but something much more. We can read about or view a pagan life and learn some moralistic life lessons. But in reading the Bible, the focus is and should be God! To be exact, the story is: we mess up, God redeems, we mess up, God forgives, we mess up, but God doesn’t abandon us.
Let’s be frank, the Pharisees were pretty good at using God’s Word as a basic instruction manual and look where it got them.
Peace, Mercy, and Grace,
@Lex_Lutheran
- Hulk SMASH Target Terminology! - May 1, 2016
- 11 Questions with Calvinist Hulk - February 24, 2016
- Hulk SMASH Valentine’s Day - February 12, 2016
Well said, Brother Lex
Well said, Brother Lex!
Lex,
Love seeing a Lutheran using the Book of Concord. The Solid Declaration Article VI Concerning the Third Use of the Law. In the last part of the first sentence the third part of the Law is “to bring such people to a recognition of their sins. (3)” In paragraph 5 “For the law is written in their hearts,” We have here a little Law and Gospel, along with New Obedience from the Augsburg Confession.
Different than Calvins Law and Gospel (Mosaic Law versus Divine Law), Lutheran Law and Gospel instructs us that law tells us what is sin, yet Gospel gives us forgiveness through repentance and faith in Christ.
The Bible teaches how to live, not by example of the church leaders, but by what is taught to us through the Torah, The prophets, and the Writings. First sin is three things the act, the feeling of guilt and our rebellion. Second if Jesus is sin for sin sake he is the sacrifice for our mistakes, our actions against God, our breaking the peace with each other, and our absolution. The Good News is that through Jesus sacrifice and by our participating in the wine and grain sacrifice (communion) we follow the Torah in the healing power of God’s word. If we follow the teaching of Loving God with our all our heart and Fellow Men (Luther used fellowman not neighbor) as ourselves and internalize this we are following Isaiah. If confess our acts and rebellion as in the penitential Psalm 32 we have forgiveness of our guilt and rebellion. Proverbs 1 verses 2 through verse 7 teaches us the Wisdom that Christ wants us to internalize. In Ecclesiastes we learn life is nothing or just smoke without God. The Psalms, Proverbs, and Ecclesiastes are in the writings. All of these things I mentioned are considered Gospel, not Law. It is the Good News Christ talked about. Last note, Faith in the Old Testament is the same word as truth, “Amen or Amah.” Basically faith is recognizing the truth and is the same thing.
Have fun.