A Library In A Book or A Book In A Library?

Regardless of what you've been told by those desiring to revise history and bring it up to speed to suit their radical agendas...the Bible was a key to education until the early 20th century because it is literally a library. It was a compendium of knowledge and wisdom that sweeps across nearly all disciplines and fields of study. Depending on whom you ask, its source is divine, human or both. It is my observation that it is both in that it is written by men but inspired of God.

It is a unique collection of books purposefully chosen with divinely guided care. The sixty-six books of the Bible were written by a minimum of at least forty authors over sixteen hundred years. This makes them not just books but also historical/history books. They were written about God and people, therefore biographies and autobiographies. It is a book that outlines a proper marriage and all other socially interactive relationships so it is a book on sociology. It is a book that speaks of how people think. Why they think correctly or think well but also how they can often think poorly or incorrectly. It is therefore a book of both good and bad logic, philosophy and psychology.

It is a book of poetry and song so it is also a book of melody, harmony, rhythm, tempo, meter, articulation, dynamics, timbre and texture. Not only can this be said of its portions on poetry and music but also on sections devoted solely to teaching of wisdom, theology and doctrine as it is not only acoustically balanced but intellectually, theologically and logically balanced and harmonious. In an overarching manner the Bible is a book of the performing arts both mentally, theatrically and musically.

It speaks of physical features, physical attributes, amazing physical feats and actions that that at times are supernatural. It speaks of the wonder and beauty of the human body and mind. In this way it is a book of anatomy and physiology.

The Bible speaks to the actions and exploits of Abraham’s, Mose’s, Joshua’s, Saul’s and David’s people with surrounding nations and peoples. Sometimes these interactions were peaceful but sometimes they were also violent and hostile. In this way the Bible is a manual of diplomacy, military stratagem and at times...even war. It is due to the sins and corruption of mankind as opposed to God that the Bible can even be considered a book of war while simultaneously being a book of peace and negotiations.

It is a book a mathematics as is deals with divisions of tribes, portioning of supplies, wages, counts of peoples, it deals with money and tells of what happens when we accrue unintended or unbiblical debts whether they be monetary or spiritual debts. In this way the Bible is a book of economics both human and divine. It teaches people sound economic principles and sound debt/money management. In teaching sound financial principles it leads one to understand sound ethical and moral business practices. In this way the Bible teaches business management and management in general. By being an educator of how to manage things it invariably points itself to and as an authority in leadership. It teaches not only how to maintain leadership but it also shows how to properly delegate it to others and what to look for in those that will suit said purpose...and those that won't.

It is a book of engineering, architecture and construction when it speaks of God’s creation or the things within the very Creation itself. It also speaks to these elements in Noah’s Ark, the Ark of the Covenant, of the wilderness Tabernacle and of the Temple. It speaks of the future architecture and structure of the future Jerusalem/Zion. It lays the exact measurements for these things along with the exact extent or judgment when it measures a city. In a spiritual manner it even lays out the exact plan of salvation. As a matter-of-fact, the entire Bible itself is a plan that inexorably leads to the final consummation and conclusion of history all known and planned by a sovereign and omnipotent God.

In terms of leadership and leading (as in nations and countries), it speaks to hundreds of different nations, areas, peoples and cultures. In this way the Bible is a textbook of not only ancient topographical, political and human geography but it is also a book of these types of geographies in the future also.

It teaches people how to lead ethically and morally. In so doing it directs people to lead as servants or to put others ahead of themselves in servant leadership. It shows that one in leadership does not necessarily lead by leaning over them but rather getting under them and lifting them up. The Bible teaches that to be the best leader, one must give others what they themselves need to lead. In this way it teaches the proper way to learn which is through mentoring, apprenticing (with a master) or as the Bible itself terms it: It teaches one to lead and grow through discipleship.

It is a book of agriculture and animal husbandry. In the Levitical laws the Bible speaks primarily to holiness but by default it speaks to cleanliness and healthy living. The book teaches to reach to the down-trodden and poor or those that society has cast off or ignored. In this way the Bible is book of charity and philanthropy.

The Bible was written in three different languages and this entire book of books tells a uniform coherent message that points to God as incarnate man that died in accordance with Scripture and was raised three days later from the dead. In this way it points us to eternal salvation through language. Not just any languages mind you but very hearty and robust languages, like Hebrew and Greek. The Greek language is so robust that it has 24 different ways to use the word “the”. In this way it is obviously a book of communication, speeches and linguistics.

The Bible is an overarching narrative that starts time and then ends it. In between is the entire sweep of human history and human interaction with their God. Above all it is a book of divinity and the study of God and how He has chosen to interact and will interact with His creation: Saved and unsaved humanity.

The Bible gives a comprehensive, consistent and coherent view of life. It gives equality and dignity to all humans regardless of race, gender or age (including people in-utero) because all humans are created in God’s image. It shows a consistency of ethical and moral worldview that allows it to coexist with those around it that do not necessarily adhere to its principles. Those that adhere to the principles of the Bible can coexist with their surrounding world because of the very fact that the Bible's principles and truths are morally and ethically sound, therefore it has a universal appeal if correctly understood. It shows a consistent worldview that helps make sense of an often times chaotic and confused life that also at times can be cruel, callous and unforgiving. It gives purpose to an otherwise bizarre or farcical life. It gives us meaningful hope in the face of insurmountable odds and gives us fortitude in the face of horrendous evil.

It is a book that contains rules and statutes for moral and ethical living. It shows and teaches the negative repercussions for not adhering to the principles put forward by those statutes. In this way it is a litigious or legal book. It is a book of law but simultaneously it is a book of freedom to those that are in Christ Jesus.

It inspires a faith in a God that makes sense and is logical in its conclusions if correctly interpreted and understood. The Bible describes a universe that many would consider a product of random chance but the Bible helps order and systematize the reality around us. The Bible explains or shows a rhyme and reason to what otherwise seems more akin to capriciousness and fate. We see predictability, dependability and intent in the pages of the Bible not chaos, fatalism and despair.

The Bible is a book and library all in one. It is literally a library in a book. It is a rigid plan and unrestricted freedom when in Christ. It is the word of God written through men but is the mind of God. In this way I am glad that the Bible is a library within itself and can also be a book within a library. I imagine this is much more preferable than a Bible in a museum or a museum being within the Bible. The premise being... that the Bible being a library makes it useful, relevant, accessible and utilitarian but making it a museum gives the impression of irrelevance, inaccessibly and obsolescence. This of course leads to my last thought. 

I'd prefer that you see the Bible as the library in a book as opposed to the book in a library. Just because a book is in a library doesn't mean it is going to be read. To assure that the book is used for what it was meant for...it needs to be read and understood. Understanding it and the author's intent (both God and man) is the key to its authority and power, otherwise the book is relegated to museum status only to be seen as a novelty of interest but not taken seriously. If read, understood and taken seriously, it can change the world for the better. When used correctly in the past by godly men and women...it already has.

I could go on but you clearly get the idea. I’ll let you chew on the other possibilities at this point. I sing praises of God’s Word  just as David did in Psalms 119 and others have done all throughout the Bible and in history...just as described in the Bible :)