Ok, it seems life as usual is kinda slow for the B&B bloggers, and the 2 of you who actually read us are probably wondering why. Ministry and life seem to be extremely busy now for everybody, so I am going to do something a little different for the next few posts to get involvement back up.
For this post, I would like you to respond in the comments and tell me what is your favorite book of the Bible and why? (NOTE: please do not use the cliche 'I love them all.' I am stating up front that every believer loves the whole of Scripture, but some portions have deeper significance and minister to us more than others. Josh this especially goes for you!).
Pick your favorite book (or passage if that suits you) and tell us why it benefits your soul. I hope to see many comments, and I will put my favorite in shortly, and add another post like this next week.
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6 comments:
Since I started this, I am going to cheat a bit and tell two of my favorites. my favorite OT book is Ezekiel, b/c his ministry is an encouragement to me. Preaching years and years with all he had and losing so much, and never saw a single convert in his lifetime.
My favorite NT book is Philippians. Paul gives a picture of christian joy that i want so badly and does it looking at the ax that could potentially take his life from this earth. I need that kind of joy in suffering, looking at the joy of salvation!
I believe it was Spurgeon who answered the inquiry, "What is your favorite Scripture?", wryly: "The one I happen to be reading." You present a hard challenge, John. I'll confess that there are a few books that do not leap immediately into view, but there are so many that do. Having said that which you asked us not to say, I'll try to offer one from each testament that has ministered to me from early in my walk with Christ.
Genesis, especially the first eleven chapters, has been fundamental to my theological understanding and my daily life. Theologically, it explains so much about God, creation, and humanity, that has helped me to make sense of the world and my varied experiences in it. The benevolence and justice of God and the original goodness of creation followed by the fall of humanity in sin has helped me to interpret life-experiences with biblical realism. The narrative of the conflict between the seed of woman and the seed of the serpent has helped me to better understand the flow of the larger narrative of Scripture and, again, the world around me. The promise of redemption, and the expressions of hope in that promise in those early chapters of Genesis have helped me to love the Fulfillment of that promise, Jesus Christ, with greater fervency.
The Gospel of John was written so that "you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing you may have life in His name." And so it was for me. It was the simple explanation of John 3:16 that Holy Spirit used to bring me to repentance and faith in Christ at age nine. Again, it was the Gospel of John that God used to pluck me out of the superficiality and apathy of the evangelical brand in which I was raised. I continue to marvel at the Christ presented in John -- Supreme and Sufficient. It's rich message was used to bring me to faith and it is continual nourishment to invigorate my faith today.
Of course, Genesis 1 and John 1 are joined by the astounding truth that God has spoken; and He has spoken fully and finally in the Word who became flesh and dwelt among us.
Thanks for the impetus, John.
My favorite NT book is Ephesians because as a young Christian it was in this book that I really understood grace for the first time, and to this day it screams grace the loudest at me.
My favorite OT book is Isaiah, because it is a majestic book entwining judgment and promise with the grand culmination of the clearest promises of what the Messiah was going to be, most clearly telling us who Jesus would be and what He would do, this blend makes Isaiah my favorite.
Hey guys. I like the idea of this...it is good for discussion. The question is harder to answer than it sounds. I know we've been instructed to not say "I like them all..." but...it's still hard to narrow it down. Two OT chapters that have been a great help to me are Psalm 51 and Jeremiah 1. Psalm 51 continues to help me in the area of genuine repentance. Jeremiah 1 has been a great help to me as a preacher and pastor.
But...to answer the question honestly...my favorite OT book is Genesis. I've read the book many times over the years. I'm still moved by God's creative power through His word. His work in the lives of the characters, especially Abraham and Joseph highlight His Sovereignty in an amazing way.
As for the NT, I've always loved Philippians and 2 Timothy. I know that's two...but I'm kind of rushed at the moment...not sure I could make "the call" at this exact second. I like Philippians because it is so personal and we know so much about Paul's history with them. John, I know we don't know each other, but I echo a large chunk of your reasoning for liking the same book. As for 2 Timothy...famous last words of the apostle Paul. The book inspires, challenges, and predicts what the world will become...and has.
Thanks again for letting me be a part of this motley crue. I'm grateful and looking forward to getting to know John and Josh better.
Mark, I've enjoyed reading your posts and look forward to getting to know you better as well.
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