The Bible was written by more than 40 distinct authors, in 3 different languages, over a timespan of 1,500 years. Yet the Bible presents one central theme: How God redeems His people.
One way to understand the Bible is to describe its metanarrative - its all-encompassing story line. In the Bible, God has revealed the story that underlies every true story, and in which every other true story finds its meaning.
The metanarrative of Scripture is summarized in four major chapters or movements: 1. Creation 2. The Fall 3. Redemption 4. Consummation
Creation God creates the cosmos and everything within it out of nothing. He creates everything that exists by the power of his Word. He creates all forms of life; human beings uniquely in his own image, granting us the ability to know him. He gives man authority and stewardship over the creation.
The Fall Humanity disobeys God and suffers the inevitable consequences of God's judgment on their sin. They retain God's image, but it is corrupted by sin. They suffer the consequences of their sin in toil, sickness, suffering and death. All of nature is affected by human sin, suffering decay and corruption. Every human being is born into sin with no rescue.
Redemption God's redemption was promised and foreshadowed in the Old Testament, especially through the people of Israel. In the fullness of time his Son comes and takes on human nature. He lives a perfect life, suffers death on a cross, and rises from the grave. His life was given as a substitute for anyone who trusts in him. He returns to his heavenly Father, gives the Holy Spirit as the guarantee of an eternity in the presence of God himself. What men and women must do, before it is too late, is repent and trust Christ
Consummation God brings everything to a perfect conclusion with Christ's second coming the resurrection of the dead, the final judgment, the division of all humanity into either heaven or hell, and the New Creation ruled over Christ. Death and sickness and suffering are destroyed. God dwells forever with his people in perfect, uncorrupted relationship.
The Bible reveals a divine will, a purpose, a timetable, a fulfillment, and a unity.
making known to us the mystery of his will, according to his purpose, which he set forth in Christ as a plan for the fullness of time, to unite all things in him, things in heaven and things on earth. (Ephesians 1:9-10)
At the center of the main message of the Bible is Jesus Christ, the Great Redeemer.
But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his Son, born of woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons. (Galatians 4:4-5)
Jesus spoke of the writings of the Law, the prophets, and Psalms finding their fulfillment in his suffering, death and resurrection. (Luke 24:44-47)
Application: 1. God doesn't intend for his divine redemption merely to draw our interest. The history, poetry, symbols, and instructions of Scripture vary in style, but not in their message: all are intended to affect our response to life in a fallen world.
Change of perspective: John Calvin said the Scriptures are like spectacles. We are to understand the world, sin, death, purpose, identity, society, suffering, right and wrong through the teachings of the Bible.
Change of purpose: We are to find our purpose and identity in this story. It is the story that frames our thinking and our living. We are to be changed by it, caught up in it, and take up our role within it.