I find it helpful to think about the Bible in images. Like a map, or a continuous scroll. One of my favorite images of the Bible, one that comprehends every section and book, is that of a bridge. The Bible is a bridge by which we traverse the many works of God. Today’s reading from The Joy and Rejoicing of My Heart is found on page 30:
“It might be helpful, in trying to understand the Bible, to think of it as a bridge. It has a single roadway which leads from eternity past to eternity future, passing over the river of time. That roadway is the story of God’s journey with humankind, from creation to new heavens and new earth. The bridge represents time, as Scripture relates the unfolding narrative of God’s work in human history; and it is a bridge held up by one arching span. The structure of the bridge – like its roadway – extends from before the beginning of things to after the end of history. One perfect arch connects the distant past with the distant future and suspends the road that passes over time.
“That span and arch is God’s covenant.
“Two large sub-spans arch under the single span supporting the bridge of Scripture. We call these the Old Covenant and the New Covenant. They overlap a bit in that section of the New Testament which we call the gospels, and they share the same shape as the overarching span, God’s one covenant with His people. That is, they unpack the same primary themes, with the same central characters and story lines. They are separate spans, supporting a section of the roadway as it passes over time; yet they are part of the single arching span, which unfolds toward the destination for which the bridge of God’s Word has been constructed.
“Within the two sub-spans, and under one single span are several smaller arches, each anchored at a point on the roadway and spanning toward another point further along the path. These arches are not separate spans; they are aspects of the structure of the one overarching span and the span which represents the Old Covenant, and they support, depend on, and build toward one another, overlapping as they do.
“These arches represent the various covenants of God, enacted at different times in Scripture, as aspects of God’s one overarching covenant.”
For reflection or discussion
1. How do you typically think about the Bible? How does help you as you are reading it?
2. To this point in your walk with the Lord, what have you found to be the most helpful parts of Scripture for knowing, loving, and serving the Lord?
If we’re going to break out of this famine of hearing that has descended upon us, we’re going to have to become more familiar with the Bible. We can’t just keep nodding assent to the teaching of Scripture, as if to say, “Got that. Good stuff.” We need to hide the Word in our heart, let it dwell in us richly, and experience it as the power of God transforming us into the likeness of Jesus. Share today’s podcast with a friend, then get together to discuss it. Your copy of The Joy and Rejoicing of My Heart awaits you in The Ailbe Bookstore.
T. M. Moore
