The Focus of the Bible

I am enjoying Michael Horton’s latest book The Gospel Driven Life.  It is the ‘answer’ to the problems exposed in Christless Christianity.  I have just gotten started with it and found this quote to be clear through its contrasts.

The Bible is not a collection of timeless principles offering a gentle thought for the day.  It is not a resource for our self-improvement.  Rather, it is a dramatic story that unfolds from promise to fulfillment, with Christ at the center.  Its focus is God and his action.  God is not a supporting actor in our drama; it is the other way around.  God does not exist to make sure that we are happy and fulfilled.  Rather, we exist to glorify God and to enjoy him forever.  God is not a facilitator of our ‘life transformation’ projects.  He is not a life coach.  Rather, he is our Creator, Lawgiver, Judge, and Covenant Lord. (Michael Horton, The Gospel Driven Life), p. 26

Possibly Related posts:

1. Be Humble and Happy in Christ the Son
2. The Storyline of the Bible in 4 Minutes
3. Encouraged by my Wife’s Torn Up Bible
4. Phil Johnson at Omaha Bible Church
5. A Singular, Doxological Imperative

7 Responses to “The Focus of the Bible”

1. Erik K. says:

   October 19, 2009 at 11:37 am

   Love this part of Horton’s fantastic quote:

   “God does not exist to make sure that we are happy and fulfilled. Rather, we exist to glorify God and to enjoy him forever.”

   So many folks have the mentality of how life should be ‘happy, fulfilled, successful, etc.’ For all those Christians who possess this warped mentality, I offer Job as an example to chew on, followed by a healthy dose of Hebrews 11.

   Thanks for the solid quote Erik. We need many more like this to shake us to the core.

   Soli Deo Gloria brother.
2. Erik says:

   October 19, 2009 at 11:41 am

   Exactly Erik. I find myself too often bending inward; thinking I’m the star of the show rather than the supporting role.
3. Kevin S. says:

   October 19, 2009 at 8:16 pm

   Erik,

   I just started this book today (received it for my birthday last Thursday). I’m looking forward to it and more good quotes like the one you’ve mentioned. I listened to Horton’s messages on the theme of this book at a gathering in northern California earlier this summer. If you’re interested, I could find the web site this was from; it provides a good summary of his thoughts in the whole book.

   Enjoy the reading! Keep up the good work for God’s sake.
4. Jeff says:

   October 19, 2009 at 8:18 pm

   I heard a quote on the radio today about a new Christian self help book. “We need to know what we want in life, and how God fits into our plans.”

   This is exactly the opposite of a Biblical Worldview.

   Thanks for the quote Erik, I will add this to my list of books to read.
5. Stephen C. says:

   October 20, 2009 at 2:55 am

   Is anyone else anticipating the release of Horton’s Systematic Theology next year?
6. Erik says:

   October 20, 2009 at 10:12 am

   Stephen C: I think it will be an interesting contribution. I’m not sure what to expect. But yes, I am anticipating it.
7. Erik says:

   October 20, 2009 at 10:13 am

   Jeff, It may be best to read, if you haven’t already, Christless Christianity as it exposes the problem first that this book aims to fix.