The Bible is a collection of books written by many human authors across many centuries. It includes history, poetry, letters, law, wisdom and accounts of Jesus’ life. Christians believe God’s Spirit worked through those authors so that the Bible reliably tells the story of God and leads us towards Jesus.
Calling the Bible reliable does not mean every passage is easy or that every book should be read in the same way. Good reading pays attention to genre, history, culture and the larger story. Different translations can also help us hear the meaning more clearly. Honest questions are part of taking the Bible seriously.
At The Lakes Church, we understand the Bible through Jesus. He helps us see God’s character and where the whole story is heading. If an interpretation of part of the Bible produces a picture of God that looks nothing like Jesus, or turns Scripture into a weapon against people, we should slow down and read it again through the lens of Jesus’ life and teaching.
The Bible remains relevant when it is allowed to shape how we live. James warns against listening without doing. A simple way to start is to read Mark or Luke and ask: What does this show me about Jesus, and what would it look like to respond today? Reading with other people can help when a passage is confusing.
If you have questions, you can ask us anything at https://thelakes.org.au/contact-us/