Major Theme of the Bible

[Lafon]

Perhaps this issue has been addressed previously on this forum (if so I was unable to locate it), but even so, I believe its relevance and importance is worthy of examination, and perhaps the thoughts and opinions of others could serve to increase our knowledge of the Bible.

I've been pondering these thoughts (for quite some period of time) concerning the "Major Theme" of the Bible; what one word might be most fitting to describe that "theme," and where might one locate this answer within the context of the Bible itself (that is to say, within the context of what scriptural passage(s) is this "theme" revealed).

First, I think it best to attain an understanding of everything which the English word "theme" implies: upon discovery we read that it is defined as that which relates the main idea, moral, or message, of an essay, paragraph, movie, or book. The message may be about life, society, or human nature. Themes often explore timeless and universal ideas and are almost always implied rather than stated explicitly. Theme is also defined as a word which describes a specific subject or topic on which a person speaks, writes, or thinks in a particular way; an idea that recurs in or pervades a work of art or literature; and, an essay on a set subject.

Retaining this definition at the forefront of our thoughts, then what singular word do you believe best describes (i.e., gives a detailed account in words) the "Major Theme" of the Bible; and, what passage(s) best connotes (i.e., implies or suggests in addition to its primary or literal meaning) this significant fact?

In your response, please provide a brief summary of the manner in which you believe the scriptural passage(s) you've chosen, best supports that "singular word" which describes the "Major Theme" of the Bible.

For "openers," allow me to acknowledge that the One who expresses this "theme" is none other than God, our Heavenly Creator, so with this being said, the issue being addressed is not the "Author" of the Bible, rather the specific, unique, and peculiar "theme" to which its contents apply.

[mfblume]

Not sure how to put it in one single word, but to me the theme of the Bible is the return of man to the Kingdom of the Garden, back to the pre-fall status of Adam with Christ as our Adam now, and the transition towards that from Old Covenant to New.

[onefaith2]

more than one word.. God wants to have a relationship with man, his greatest creation

[Cindy]

Reconciliation or restoration. To bring man back to God, without sin. He restoreth my soul.

[Socialite]

Major Theme: I can never do anything to make God stop loving me, because I never did anything to make him start loving me.


Other themes just are really descriptors about his character, which is what the story points to:

Faithfulness
Perseverance
Compassion
Redeemer

[Lafon]

Yes, Cindy, as a manner of speaking, I believe that perhaps either the singular word reconciliation or restoration could best fit the bill, in a broad general sense, to describe the "Major Theme" of the Bible, however, I was thinking even beyond this. The word(s) you've expressed as best describing the "Major Theme" of the Bible, are ones which point to something even "deeper," that is to say, what specific thing, or event precipitated, caused, or gave birth to a need for mankind's reconciliation to God, our Heavenly Creator, even before He spoke the first words of creation? (Perhaps I wasn't as clear in my questions about this within the context of my initial posting as I should have been..... my bad....please forgive.)

After countless hours of pondering this matter, here is what I have concluded as my response:

It is written in Revelation 13:8 (alluding to circumstances which relate to the coming Antichrist), that ....all that dwell upon the earth shall worship him, whose names are not written in the book of life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world. Because of this phrase that I have taken the liberty to underline (which is found only once within the context of the entire Bible), we discover that, in the infinite wisdom and foreknowledge of God, the "singular" issue, or topic (i.e., "Major Theme" of the Bible, which outlines, or contains the revelation of the intricate details of all that He has "purposed" to do), was centered upon the DEATH of His own fleshly body (which is to say, the "crucifixion" of Christ Jesus).

This is to say, that even BEFORE God uttered the first creative words, He who knows the "end from the beginning," foresaw the DEATH of His own substantive body of human flesh, therefore everything which preceded even the creation of mankind, and even before DEATH entered into the world, all of His actions would be focused upon this "singular" issue! Therefore I believe it would be proper to state that the word DEATH best defines the "Major Theme" of the Bible, and its contents contains the intricate details of the wondrous plan of redemption for the souls of mankind which He caused to be effectuated by His own experience of DEATH.

In the briefest of terms in my effort to explain why I believe the "singular" word DEATH, being supported by the phrase "the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world," best serves to answer the question of the "Major Theme" of the Bible, I believe perhaps one should take into consideration the following that is found written in II Samuel 14:14 -"For we must needs die, and are as water spilt on the ground, which cannot be gathered up again; neither doth God respect any person: YET DOTH HE DEVISE MEANS, THAT HIS BANISHED BE NOT EXPELLED FROM HIM."

Because the language of the Bible plainly decrees (in the most emphatic of terms) that ALL mankind "must needs die," also that NONE shall be granted an exemption from the experience of DEATH ("neither doth God respect ANY person"), and, lest we forget, Jesus advises us that "the scriptures cannot be broken," then it should be easily understood that DEATH is, indeed, the "Major Theme" of the Bible. And because of this, it is critically important that ALL mankind recognize and acknowlege that the most significant "reason" for the Bible's content, is that it serves to reveal the "means" (which is to say, the agent or method for achieving a result) which God "devised" for the reconciliation of sinful man to Himself. Thus we see that in the absence of the written word of God, the Bible, mankind would possess no explicit directions whereby he might become knowledgeable of that which God demands of us whereby that restoration (which Mike Blume noted in his response) might occur.

Of course, there might be others who would disagree with this expressed personal beliefs, however, I submit these statements for your consideration of their merits.

[onefaith2]

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

[TGBTG]

In one word, the major theme is Jesus Christ. All things were made by Him and for his pleasure....(Rev 4:11) All scriptures revolve around the revelation of Jesus Christ...

Colossians 1
26Even the mystery which hath been hid from ages and from generations, but now is made manifest to his saints: 27To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory:

The mystery which God hid from all ages was/is the manifestation of Jesus Christ.

[mfblume]

Restoration plus!

[Sabby]

Originally Posted by TGBTG

In one word, the major theme is Jesus Christ. All things were made by Him and for his pleasure....(Rev 4:11) All scriptures revolve around the revelation of Jesus Christ...

Colossians 1
26Even the mystery which hath been hid from ages and from generations, but now is made manifest to his saints: 27To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory:

The mystery which God hid from all ages was/is the manifestation of Jesus Christ.

Absolutely! Jesus alone is the fulfillment of ALL God has spoken. EVERYthing else is ancillary. In Jesus alone comes atonement, forgiveness, reconciliation and fellowship with God!

Mark..1:14-15
¶ Now after that John was put in prison, Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God,
And saying, The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the gospel.

There are many topical studies devoted to the themes of the Bible. The Major theme is nothing short of the mystery of godliness that enabled mankind to have fellowship with the Creator.

1 Timothy..3:16
And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory

It is all about Jesus.