What other book can compare to the Holy Bible? Regardless of whether you consider it to be completely, literally factual or fantastical fiction, no one can deny its’ influential grip on history and humanity. Even the most atheist skeptic acknowledges that certain events did indeed occur, mostly as described. As a formative guide, the believer should rely on it before any other source.

It is a living, breathing testament of God’s people. Many of us love to study it in depth, beyond what the worship experience gives us. You can go to any part of it and receive enlightenment, courage, peace, affirmation, and relatability to its’ characters. Their stories, as part of God’s covenantal story of relationship, get added to our stories; in other words, what the text says to us.

Above all, it is true.

Truth goes beyond historical verification or myth. How it affects us is what makes it truer than any other book. It is true because it comes from The Word made flesh. The most human experience and example of who God is. I am a Star Trek geek – the original series, and the original six movies based on those characters. The most poignant, heart-wrenching moment comes near the end of “Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan”. Spock gives his life for the ship and his crewmates. We see his deep friendship with Captain Kirk as Spock dies. In his eulogy, Kirk says, choking up: “of all the souls I have encountered in my travels, his was the most…human.”

May we be like the two disciples walking toward Emmaus on the Day of Resurrection who said to each other after realizing who the “stranger” was who had joined them. “Were not our hearts burning within us while He talked with us on the road and opened the Scriptures to us?” (Luke 24:32). It is in unconditional love that the Living word comes to us as part of our living story.

Pastor Art