Friday, September 6, 2024

Latest summary of the overarching theme of the Bible

 I think this is a good summary of the meta-narrative of Scripture - what do you think?



In the divine counsel of eternity past[1], God the Father, in His infinite wisdom and love[2], decreed that God the Son would be exalted as Lord[3], Righteous Judge[4], and Merciful Savior[5]. This sovereignty extends over all Creation, but especially over rational creatures bearing the divine image[6].


Through the transformative work of God the Spirit[7], some undergo the process of sanctification[8], being conformed to the image of Christ[9] and made fit for eternal communion with the Triune God[10]. This sanctification involves the ongoing renewal of heart and mind[11], culminating in glorification[12].


Conversely, those who persist in rebellion against their Creator face the just consequences of their actions[13]. Their eternal separation from God stems not from divine caprice, but from their freely chosen rejection of offered grace[14].


This providential plan upholds both divine sovereignty[15] and human responsibility[16], showcasing God's perfect justice[17] and boundless mercy[18]. It ultimately serves to manifest the full spectrum of God's attributes[19], bringing Him supreme glory[20].


Scriptural References:


[1] Ephesians 1:4 - "For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight."


[2] 1 John 4:8 - "Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love."


[3] Philippians 2:9-11 - "Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father."


[4] Acts 10:42 - "He commanded us to preach to the people and to testify that he is the one whom God appointed as judge of the living and the dead."


[5] Titus 2:13 - "While we wait for the blessed hope—the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ."


[6] Colossians 1:16-17 - "For in him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through him and for him. He is before all things, and in him all things hold together." and Genesis 1:27 - "So God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them."


[7] 2 Thessalonians 2:13 - "But we ought always to thank God for you, brothers and sisters loved by the Lord, because God chose you as firstfruits to be saved through the sanctifying work of the Spirit and through belief in the truth."


[8] 1 Thessalonians 4:3 - "It is God's will that you should be sanctified: that you should avoid sexual immorality."


[9] Romans 8:29 - "For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters."


[10] 1 Corinthians 1:9 - "God is faithful, who has called you into fellowship with his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord."


[11] Romans 12:2 - "Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will."


[12] Romans 8:30 - "And those he predestined, he also called; those he called, he also justified; those he justified, he also glorified."


[13] Romans 2:5 - "But because of your stubbornness and your unrepentant heart, you are storing up wrath against yourself for the day of God's wrath, when his righteous judgment will be revealed."


[14] John 3:18 - "Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because they have not believed in the name of God's one and only Son."


[15] Isaiah 46:10 - "I make known the end from the beginning, from ancient times, what is still to come. I say, 'My purpose will stand, and I will do all that I please.'"


[16] Joshua 24:15 - "But if serving the LORD seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your ancestors served beyond the Euphrates, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you are living. But as for me and my household, we will serve the LORD."


[17] Deuteronomy 32:4 - "He is the Rock, his works are perfect, and all his ways are just. A faithful God who does no wrong, upright and just is he."


[18] Ephesians 2:4-5 - "But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved."


[19] Romans 9:22-23 - "What if God, although choosing to show his wrath and make his power known, bore with great patience the objects of his wrath—prepared for destruction? What if he did this to make the riches of his glory known to the objects of his mercy, whom he prepared in advance for glory"


[20] Revelation 4:11 - "You are worthy, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by your will they were created and have their being."

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