Major Theme of the Bible

[Lafon]

Originally Posted by onefaith2

Wasn't death conquered? Wouldn't it be prudent to say the main theme is life and that eternal?

Yes, God did, indeed, conquer the devastating, and eternally insurmountable effect of death, but wouldn't it be more prudent to first determine what wrought the "necessity" for its "conquering"? Surely you would readily agree that it is quite impossible to "conquer" something which doesn't even exist, right?

If "death" did not exist, then God's "conquering" of it would become a non-existant thing, wouldn't you think?

If "death" had never entered into mankind's "life," then would there even exist a need for the Bible? Adam obviously enjoyed communion with God prior to the entrance of "death" which negatively impacted that personal one-on-one relationship which he had been privileged to enjoy, did he not? Did not "death" sever that relationship? Of course!

Therefore "if" (Oh! There's that small word which keeps coming to the forefront) "death" had never became a "reality" which ALL mankind must confront (and determine the manner in which its effects might be overcome), then would we really "need" the Bible? I don't think so, for we, much like Adam did in the beginning, would also be privileged to enjoy continuous communion with God! In the absence of "death" ALL of mankind would possess "eternal life."

Do these statements "make sense" to you, and perhaps help you to better grasp why I believe the "singular" word DEATH best defines the "Major Theme" of the Bible? I pray that they do.

[Lafon]

Originally Posted by Sabby

It is all about Jesus.

I agree (to a certain degree, that is) however, this brings to the fore the question of "why" the incarnation of Deity was required, which is to say, what "event" brought about the necessity for God's manifestation in human flesh? Was it not because of the existence of the eternally devastating consequences of the penalty of "death;" an event, the effects of which mankind possesses absolutely NO power to overcome?

In Jesus alone comes atonement, forgiveness, reconciliation and fellowship with God!

What wrought the reality of mankind's "need" for a Savior (which we know is none other than Jesus)? What brought into existence mankind's need for "atonement, forgiveness, reconciliation and fellowship with God"? Was it not the "consequence" of death which every soul must experience? To simply, or only, say that the "Major Theme" of the Bible "...is all about Jesus," does not, in and of itself, provide sufficient reason for His manifestation in flesh, so it is because of this I feel more comfortable with the "singular" word DEATH as being the "Major Theme" of the Bible. (I suspect you'll continue to disagree with this, nevertheless this is how I respond to my initial question about this matter.)

[Lafon]

Originally Posted by mfblume

Restoration plus!

Absolutely, Mike! The "plus," of course, being the underlying REASON why "restoration" became such a "necessity" for the incarnation of Deity in human flesh, and its subsequent experience of DEATH to effectuate God's plan for mankind's "reconciliation" to Himself.

I think we are, as a manner of speaking, "on the same page" here.

[mfblume]

Originally Posted by Lafon

Absolutely, Mike! The "plus," of course, being the underlying REASON why "restoration" became such a "necessity" for the incarnation of Deity in human flesh, and its subsequent experience of DEATH to effectuate God's plan for mankind's "reconciliation" to Himself.

I think we are, as a manner of speaking, "on the same page" here.

Amen. The PLUS also means we got far more out of this than what Adam had to begin with. So we are restored to what he had before the fall, plus a lot more.

[RandyWayne]

The destruction of evil.

Consider that Lucifer had already been cast out and the whole creation of our current Universe is a part of God's master plan to end his reign. Humans are a piece of that plan, albeit a major piece.

[KeptByTheWord]

I agree that death and Jesus are definitely the major themes of the Bible, but I have to go back to the greatest commandment of all - Love. Were it not for Love, God's love for us, there would have been no Bethleham and a Calvary. God could have left us to our own destruction, but his LOVE for mankind brought about redemption from DEATH through JESUS.

[Godsdrummer]

Originally Posted by KeptByTheWord

I agree that death and Jesus are definitely the major themes of the Bible, but I have to go back to the greatest commandment of all - Love. Were it not for Love, God's love for us, there would have been no Bethleham and a Calvary. God could have left us to our own destruction, but his LOVE for mankind brought about redemption from DEATH through JESUS.

I agree the theme of the bible is LOVE anything other would be counter productive to the mind of God. Death is the opposite of Love God is Love. Jesus said I came to bring life , nothing God did to Isreal in OT was out of negative feelings it was all for Love. Just as a father that loves his child will dicipline him/her it is for Love. God did not give Adam death he gave him LOVE and life. Adam brought death (separation from God) into his life. That is another thing I don't believe when God speaks of death it is of this mortal body. He speaks of life and death as separation from relationship with him.

Just my thought on the subject. As I have said before the bible is a guide book to relationship with God. With examples of those that have found and lost said relationship.

[onefaith2]

Originally Posted by Lafon

Yes, God did, indeed, conquer the devastating, and eternally insurmountable effect of death, but wouldn't it be more prudent to first determine what wrought the "necessity" for its "conquering"? Surely you would readily agree that it is quite impossible to "conquer" something which doesn't even exist, right?

If "death" did not exist, then God's "conquering" of it would become a non-existant thing, wouldn't you think?

If "death" had never entered into mankind's "life," then would there even exist a need for the Bible? Adam obviously enjoyed communion with God prior to the entrance of "death" which negatively impacted that personal one-on-one relationship which he had been privileged to enjoy, did he not? Did not "death" sever that relationship? Of course!

Therefore "if" (Oh! There's that small word which keeps coming to the forefront) "death" had never became a "reality" which ALL mankind must confront (and determine the manner in which its effects might be overcome), then would we really "need" the Bible? I don't think so, for we, much like Adam did in the beginning, would also be privileged to enjoy continuous communion with God! In the absence of "death" ALL of mankind would possess "eternal life."

Do these statements "make sense" to you, and perhaps help you to better grasp why I believe the "singular" word DEATH best defines the "Major Theme" of the Bible? I pray that they do.

I understand what you are saying but death is not from the beginning to the ending of the BIble. God had a relationship with his creation until death came about and then continued to have a relationship after death was destoryed.. So i would indeed compass the whole of Scripture to be relationship with man, his greatest creation. Everything seemed to stem from that.. do you understand my point as well?

[Lafon]

Originally Posted by KeptByTheWord

I agree that death and Jesus are definitely the major themes of the Bible, but I have to go back to the greatest commandment of all - Love. Were it not for Love, God's love for us, there would have been no Bethleham and a Calvary. God could have left us to our own destruction, but his LOVE for mankind brought about redemption from DEATH through JESUS.

In my efforts to answer the question concerning the "Major Theme" of the Bible, and trying to decide what "singular" word might best describe/portray that, I expended a great amount of time trying to decide between DEATH and LOVE. I elected that it should be the former rather than the latter, and this primarily because of that small phrase found in Revelation 13:8 - "...the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world." As I pondered this, I began to think along this line: What event brought about a "need" for a "Lamb" to be slain so that I might be reconciled to God? It was then that I realized the importance of the word "slain," which is to say, be killed.

I view God's LOVE for mankind as being the single greatest "motivational force" which brought into existence all of the visible universe, including mankind which He created "in His image." However, having said this, I think it must be recognized that even before God spoke the first words of creation, and created mankind as a final act, He foresaw the fact that man's willful rebellion would give birth to the penalty of DEATH, thereby disrupting the intended relationship which He desired to have with mankind. I also believe that it was because of this impeding factor, coupled with His "righteousness," that He chose, as the central element of His plan for the reconciliation of mankind to Himself, the incarnation and resultant DEATH of His own flesh to effectutate that plan, with LOVE being, as I have already stated, the "motivational force" which caused, or moved Him to devise and implement this redemptive plan.

So, yes, I do wholeheartedly agree with you that LOVE played an extremely important part in God's redemptive plan for mankind, but it was DEATH which made that plan an absolute necessity, and that only God could "devise" the "means" whereby we, by obedience thereto, might become reconciled to Him. I thank God for His LOVE for me, without which I, nor any other, could have no hope of redemption!

[Lafon]

Originally Posted by onefaith2

I understand what you are saying but death is not from the beginning to the ending of the BIble. God had a relationship with his creation until death came about and then continued to have a relationship after death was destoryed.. So i would indeed compass the whole of Scripture to be relationship with man, his greatest creation. Everything seemed to stem from that.. do you understand my point as well?

Yes, I do, in fact, understand your point, for it is a valid one. However, as you noted, death is not from the beginning, yet I must ask: was it not death which gave birth to God's plan of redemption for mankind?

I would also be quick to add that the relationship with God which Adam enjoyed in the beginning, is yet to be realized "in its fulness," for such will not be accomplished until we are truly reconciled with Him in the kingdom of heaven. That can only happen after death, our last enemy, has been defeated. While the death of Christ Jesus at Calvary made it possible for mankind to overcome the eternal consequences of death, nevertheless we must still experience its immediate effect, that is to say, the experience of the death of our earthly fleshly bodies. It is an indisputable fact that Jesus' death, burial and resurrection was not intended to do that.