What is the “real world”? What specifically is it that drives us to refer to this world as “crazy”? In order to better examine this we need to take a step outside of the human subjective lens, and view the Bible as a historical timeline which indicates God’s will for all of mankind. According to John Cartwright, “If you know the history of a person or event, you will have a better understanding of that person or event” (Cartwright and Hulshof 8). To enumerate, Cartwright’s statement here parallels the clichéd expression, “those who don’t know history are doomed to repeat it”. Let’s grab a cup of coffee, and explore this in greater detail.
To being with, there is a specific colligating formula of research one engages in order to introduce an unbiased perspective lens of events. In brief, by fully grasping an author’s confrontation with reality (aka the “real world”), and what drove them to record an experience requires the reader/researcher to circumvent presentism by utilizing reflexivity which ultimately enables impartial analysis. To put it differently, by understanding the writer’s impulse to document, the audience is virtually brought closer to the reality experienced through the eyes of the author. With this in mind, who is the central author of the Bible? “The Bible is first and foremost the story of God. He is its author and the main character” (Cartwright and Hulshof 4).
In light of this, let’s take a look at the first book of the Old Testament in the Holy Bible. Genesis 1:1 of the King James Version states, “In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth” (Holy Bible). Right away we are introduced to God as the Creator, and main character of everything the universe entails. Now let us step briefly into the arena of writing. Generally speaking, any book that properly practices the steps of storytelling will introduce the main character or characters in the first few lines of the story. Therefore, an adamant argument can be made that, this is what occurs in Genesis 1:1.
Moving forward, a sound contention can also be established that God is also the author of the Bible, and its contents hold one storyline. In the King James Version of the New Testament of the Bible John 1:1-3 states, “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God. All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made” (Holy Bible). It is very prudent to note here, that the wording is very similar to Genesis 1:1. God is establishing that not only is He the main character of the Bible, but He is the author as well. By looking through the historical binoculars, we can see the Book of John was written by God after a plethora of civilizations and empires had already been in existence on earth. God is the Creator, and the Author! Now you’ll say, “But, there are various books of the Bible with many different authors, right? Yes, there are many different books of the Bible, but God created mankind. He gave His Word to mankind. God’s impulse to document was inspired through His Creation. The King James Version of the book of Revelation 1:1-2 states, “The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave unto him, to shew unto his servants things which must shortly come to pass; and he sent and signified it by his angel unto his servant John: Who bare record of the word of God, and of the testimony of Jesus Christ, and of all things that he saw” (Holy Bible). Furthermore, Revelation 1:8-9 states, “I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending, saith the Lord, which is, and which was, and which is to come, the Almighty. I John, who also am your brother, and companion in tribulation, and in the kingdom and patience of Jesus Christ, was in the isle that is called Patmos, for the word of God, and for the testimony of Jesus Christ” (Holy Bible).
Given these points, this writer will pray that you will want to examine this further on your own. After all, His impulse to document was for you because you are His creation. For further insight into trusting and understanding the Lord this article could be the perfect starting point. Will you pray with me? Dear Lord Jesus, We ask, that you God, will guide us to have a clear mind, and rid us of any preconceived notions while reading your Word. We are grateful for your Holy Spirit. We pray today Lord Jesus that, what we learn can be applied to our lives, and that you keep us surefooted on your path. In Christ’s name, Amen.
Works Cited
Cartwright, John and Chris Hulshof. Everyday Bible Study Growing in the Christian Fatih. Nashville , 2016. E-Book.
Holy Bible. n.d. <https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/.
