Simply Christian, Part 3

Wright revisits the theme of justice throughout the book, along with spirituality, beauty and relationships--the four echoes. A number of quotes from the section on inspiration and the Bible are worth highlighting here in our third installment in this series.

What is the purpose of the Bible?

The Bible does indeed offer plenty of information, but what it offers in a more primary way is energy for the task to which God is calling his people (p 182).

After quoting 2 Timothy 3:16-17, Wright comments:

Equipped for every good work; there's the point (p 182).

In other words, the Bible isn't there simply to be an accurate reference point for people who want to look things up and be sure they've got them right. It is there to equip god's people to carry forward his purposes of new covenant and new creation. It is there to enable people to work for justice, to sustain their spirituality as they do so, to create and enhance relationships at every level, and to produce that new creation which will have about it something of the beauty of God himself" (p 182-183).

And finally, he concludes by stating,

The Bible is there to enable God's people to be equipped to do God's work in God's world, not to give them an excuse to sit back smugly, knowing they possess all God's truth (p 184).

Our Father in heaven, teach me to slow down, to meditate on your word, that I may gain the wisdom, courage, strength, patience, focus, motivation, love, peace and boldness to work for justice.

[part 1 | part 2 | part 3 | part 4]