What I Learn and Don't Learn in the Bible

I want to think how God thinks. I want to see the world the way God sees the world, as much as I can being a finite creature. Since I cannot conjure up God's mind by my own creativity, I need him to speak to me. And he has done so gloriously, sufficiently, clearly, powerfully, and wisely. He has done so in his word. So, I come to his word to learn; and it's just as amazing what I don't learn as what I do learn.

I don't learn about a godless beginning to the universe, but I learn of the sudden and miraculous creation of everything by a God who speaks things into existence (Genesis 1:1, Hebrews 11:3). I don't learn the gravitational constant, but I learn why natural laws are sustained (Genesis 8:22). I don't learn how the brain controls the autonomic nervous system, but I learn about the one who made us fearfully and wonderfully (Psalm 139:13-16). I don't learn that I can choose what gender I want to be, but that there is a God who makes decisions he doesn't ask my opinion on (Genesis 1:26-27; Jeremiah 18:6). I don't learn that this life is survival of the fittest, but that loving your enemy is more God-like than surviving your enemy (Ephesians 4:32, 5:1).

I don't learn everything that could be known or the answers to all my questions, but I am given the only logical reason for why I can know anything at all (Psalm 14:1). I don't learn that I am the reason for everything, but I learn that God is the beginning and the end (Revelation 21:6, Romans 11:36). I don't learn the specific reason for all the evil in the world, but I learn that without a just God there is no hope at all of everything being put right (Revelation 21:5).

I don't learn that my heart is to be followed, but rather I learn it is deceptive (Jeremiah 17:9, Mark 7:21-23). I don't learn that I seek God on my own, but that God has sought me (Luke 19:10). I don't learn that my free will is determinative, but that it is God who has mercy on whom he has mercy (Romans 9:15). I don't learn that I loved God first, but that he loved me and sent his Son (1 John 4:9-10). I don't learn that I am good enough, but that Jesus is good enough (1 John 2:1). I don't learn that a cursed man on a cross is foolish to God but is his crucified Son, his very wisdom, and my only salvation (1 Corinthians 1:30). I don't learn that my end is death, but that there will be a resurrection of life and a resurrection of judgment (John 5:28-29).

I don't learn that joy in life is bound with health, wealth, and prosperity, but my joy is in Lord, even in suffering (Romans 5:3). I don't learn that happiness is winning the lottery, but that true riches are in heaven (Matthew 6:20). I don't learn that things will always continue as they always have been, but that God's patience is meant to lead to repentance (Romans 2:4, 2 Peter 3:4-9). I don't learn that in billions of years the sun will die and the earth end, but that God has a day appointed when he will bring the end and usher in his new creation (Acts 17:31, Revelation 21:1-2). I don't learn that man's political endeavors will ultimately bring peace but that it is God's kingdom that will endure (Daniel 2:44-45).

I don't learn that my failures or other's failures will forever harm me, but I learn that redemption is real, the God in heaven saves, the Christ on the cross rescues, the resurrection promises new life, the Spirit is my guarantee, heaven is my home, and Christ is coming back (1 Timothy 1:1, Colossians 2:13-15, 2 Corinthians 5:5, Philippians 3:20-21).

What could we know that is of any eternal value had God not spoken to us? Oh, the glories of special revelation! Oh, the gift of the Bible! "The law of the LORD is perfect, reviving the soul; the testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple; the precepts of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart... More to be desired are they than gold, even much fine gold; sweeter also than honey and drippings of the honeycomb" (Psalm 19:7-10).

*This article is adapted from one originally appearing in the March 2018 edition of the Eastridge Communicator.