Bibliology

It’s Friday, but Sunday is coming. We will learn about the Theology of God’s Word this Sunday. Remember that the purpose of the revealed Word of God is not to produce theologians who can talk in a language only a few understand. The purpose is to know, love and live within the Will of God according to the Word given to us.

What we need to be reminded of as we learn about “Bibliology” is that the Theology of the Word of God was not intended to be an end in itself, but a means to the end, and that end is a radically transformed, saved life. The purpose of biblical theology is not just knowledge but, more importantly, holiness and salvation.

As I write, I remember my seminary days as I entered a lifetime journey of learning about the Scripture and Biblical Theology. We learned how to live life, think, and understand how and why God created everything.

I realized I wasn’t simply being educated or receiving a bunch of theological information. I was receiving what was going to be a life transformation that would stay with me to this day. I was changing the direction of my life, how I think, my identity, the definition of my meaning and purpose, and so much more. My spiritual formation was in process.

I attended classes, listened to the Lord, and my professors, studied, and researched. I was challenged to think, live, pray, worship, and understand how God made life and superintends over His creation. Scripture is meant to do this, which we call “bibliology.” We want to love God, love people, and help people, marriages, and families be strong and healthy by bringing them practical, relevant biblical teaching and training.

Our goals are spiritual, emotional, mental, physical, and relational health. We want to become holy, wholesome, and healthy followers of Jesus. We want to fall in love with God and stay in love with the Lord. The doctrine of the Bible teaches us about the sovereignty of God and the inerrancy and infallibility of Scripture while stressing the relevance of Christian faith and the practice of our faith in today’s world.

With all this in mind, we have put up Mezuzahs on the doors of our sanctuary. Why? We have done this because we prioritize reading, studying, applying, and integrating God’s Word into life. The Word of God is the standard for living our faith and for the practice of our faith.

The Hebrew word “mezuzah” means “doorpost.” The mezuzah is to be affixed to the doorpost at the entrance to our home. The mezuzah consists of a small scroll of parchment (k’laf) on which two biblical passages are written. The first is Deuteronomy 6:4–9, the Shema, “hear O Israel: the Lord your God. The Lord is one.” The Shema reminds us that God is always present and that we should keep God’s words constantly in our minds and hearts.

And Deuteronomy 11:13–21, the Vehaya, “and you shall inscribe these words upon the doorposts of your house and upon your gates.” The mezuzah reminds us that our homes and sanctuary are holy places and that we should act and live accordingly—when we enter them and leave them to go out into our mission field.

The next time you walk into our sanctuary, look to your right, notice on the doorpost our mezuzah, and be reminded that we are the people of God who honor, respect, and love God’s Holy Word.

It’s Friday, but Sunday is coming!
Pastor Steve

Read 2 Timothy 3:16-17