{"id":48533,"date":"2024-05-19T10:46:09","date_gmt":"2024-05-19T08:46:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/kernbeisser.ch\/development-in-the-bible\/"},"modified":"2024-06-07T15:34:55","modified_gmt":"2024-06-07T13:34:55","slug":"development-in-the-bible","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/kernbeisser.ch\/en\/development-in-the-bible\/","title":{"rendered":"Development in the Bible"},"content":{"rendered":"

[vc_row][vc_column width=”1\/1″][vc_column_text text_lead=”yes” uncode_shortcode_id=”426070″]The Bible is not one-size-fits-all. There is a development from the beginning to the end. It should be borne in mind that statements about the earliest times are not necessarily at the beginning and statements about the last things are not to be found on the last page of the Bible. There is also a development within the New Testament and there is even a development in the letters of the apostle Paul. Let’s try to understand what it’s all about.[\/vc_column_text][vc_column_text uncode_shortcode_id=”175087″]<\/p>\n

We are travelers<\/h3>\n

We are on the move in our lives and in our world. This applies to everyone. If we read the Bible, we can also recognize something like a journey. The biblical message does not simply describe ethics, nor is it a set of laws. It is more the report of a development. It is an adventure with a view.[\/vc_column_text][vc_single_image media=”48485″ media_width_percent=”100″ uncode_shortcode_id=”848142″][vc_column_text uncode_shortcode_id=”507201″]The Bible describes the problems of our world and the solution to them. This is called “redemption”. The main problems described in the Bible are death and its consequences as well as the inadequacy of human beings (failure to achieve goals, also known as “sin”). The beginning of Scripture describes how sin and death entered the world. We read about this in Genesis 3. Through transgression man became mortal and mortal men lack the glory of God (Paul describes these things much later, for example in Rom 3:23 and Rom 5:12).<\/p>\n

However, he did not stop at identifying the fundamental problems facing mankind. There was also an outlook on solution and redemption. In the same third chapter of the first book of Moses we read:<\/p>\n

“And Yahweh God said to the serpent, ‘Because you have done this, you shall be cursed above all cattle and above every beast of the field. You shall crawl on your belly and eat dust all the days of your life. <\/span><\/em>And I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your seed and her seed; he will crush your head, and you will crush his heel.”<\/strong><\/em>
\nGen 3:14-15
\n<\/span><\/p>\n

The highlighted last part of these verses is also called the proto-gospel<\/strong> (pre-gospel). It is the prospect of a solution and redemption for the problems mentioned. However, this is still not described in detail here. The view is there, but you didn’t have more than these few words back then. It’s like hearing about a distant country, but only knowing the name of that country.[\/vc_column_text][vc_column_text uncode_shortcode_id=”120369″]<\/p>\n

One goal in mind<\/h3>\n

We continue from the Protoevangelium. Further details will be announced in the course of time. According to Christian understanding, the development of the message culminates in God sending his Son, who brings salvation. Through Him, the two main problems of humanity, sin and death, are solved and replaced by righteousness and life. This is, in a nut shell, the development and outlook of the biblical message. It is not the whole story, but it is the core that Paul describes in other words: God is for us (Rom 8:31). This is good news. It is a long way from the proto-gospel to its realization as described in the New Testament. However, more details are gradually becoming known.<\/p>\n

God is for us. This is good news.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Realistically, we are still in the middle of this story. Although we find the announcement in the Bible, it has not yet been implemented. We have an outlook, a goal in mind, but no fulfillment yet. Paul describes the world’s desire for salvation as follows:<\/p>\n

“For the creation was made subject to vanity (not voluntarily, but for the sake of the subordinate) in the expectation that the creation itself will also be set free from the slavery of corruption into the freedom of the glory of the children of God.”<\/em>
\nRom 8:20-21<\/p>\n

This applies to the whole world. Everyone, believers and non-believers alike, is waiting for better times. Does this mean that believers and unbelievers are standing in the same place? Yes and no. Everyone is involuntarily in a predicament and longs for a solution. However, because this salvation was promised, Paul speaks of a certain expectation (gr. elpis<\/em>), not merely of a vague hope (gr. prosdokia<\/em>). Believers stand in this predicament with a concrete expectation. Faith gives confidence. The situation is the same for everyone, but not everyone is in the same situation.[\/vc_column_text][vc_single_image media=”48497″ media_width_percent=”100″ uncode_shortcode_id=”131551″][vc_column_text uncode_shortcode_id=”353725″]<\/p>\n

Living in expectation<\/h3>\n

We are therefore somewhere between the beginning and the end, between origin and destination. We can state in general terms, as Paul does in a doxology, that:<\/p>\n

“For from Him and through Him and to Him is the universe! To Him be the glory for the eons! Amen!”<\/em>
\nRom 11:36<\/p>\n

According to Paul’s understanding, the origin, course and goal of all things must be sought in God. This is foresight that does not get stuck in the here and now and the troubles of our time and our lives. Those who trust in God’s work and His statements can see themselves as believers. He experienced what Paul describes in the same letter to the Romans:<\/p>\n

“The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God; but if children, then also partakers, and indeed partakers of God; but partakers together with Christ.”<\/em>
\nRom 8, 16-17<\/p>\n

The future of believers is linked to Christ. This also applies to the world, as we have already seen, but we have an earlier<\/em> expectation:<\/p>\n

“In Him [in Christus] also the lot has fallen upon us, who have been predestined according to the purpose of Him who works all things according to the counsel of His will, that we should be to the praise of His glory, who have a former expectation<\/strong> in Christ. In Him you are also [Gl\u00e4ubige aus den Nationen], you who hear the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation – in Him you who believe are also sealed<\/strong> with the Spirit of promise,<\/strong> the Holy One (who is a deposit<\/strong> of our lot until<\/strong> the redemption<\/strong> of the one assigned to us) to the praise of His glory.”<\/em>
\nEph 1:11-14<\/p>\n

The solution and redemption are promised, but have not yet been achieved. (I am aware that the expression “prior expectation” can be explained differently in context). However, we were sealed with the “spirit of promise”. Christians live in confidence. That is a great asset. But it also shows that we are all still on the move, the world as well as believers. Even if we have an earlier expectation than the rest of the world, our own imprint and confidence and an enormous vision, we still haven’t achieved it. Our confidence is spiritual. This confidence is something like a down payment until the divine promise becomes reality.<\/p>\n

From the proto-gospel to today’s confidence, there is a tremendous development of the message. Many interim goals are mentioned and many aspects are gradually worked out. Israel appeared, the church from all nations was called out. It is a development in the best sense of the word.<\/p>\n

This development is gradual and can be traced in the Bible. If we do this, then we can recognize that we too are part of a bigger story. It’s as if we can find our own position on a map and a marked route.[\/vc_column_text][vc_single_image media=”48493″ media_width_percent=”100″ uncode_shortcode_id=”739308″][vc_column_text uncode_shortcode_id=”125137″]<\/p>\n

This includes<\/h3>\n

As a human being, you belong to humanity (Acts 17:26). As a believer, you belong to the family of God (Eph 2:19). However, this is not very specific. If I want to know specifically what concerns me, I have to dig a little deeper.<\/p>\n

Too simple is the unfortunately much-heard answer that the Bible is God’s word and “therefore” the whole Bible is “eternal truth” and “therefore” concerns me. This is a statement without differentiation, which leads to many false assumptions. They are merely conclusions. Here is the differentiation: although the whole Bible is for<\/em> us, it does not speak of<\/em> us everywhere<\/strong>. So we can learn from the whole Bible, but it doesn’t always apply to me. In one place we read and learn about God, in another place about the expectation for Israel and in yet another place people are reached through a gospel of grace. Not all statements are in the same chapter. Not everything is aimed at today’s believers.<\/p>\n

Example:[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row row_height_percent=”0″ back_color=”color-731465″ overlay_alpha=”50″ gutter_size=”3″ column_width_percent=”100″ shift_y=”0″ z_index=”0″ uncode_shortcode_id=”119374″ back_color_type=”uncode-palette”][vc_column width=”1\/1″][vc_column_text uncode_shortcode_id=”118006″]<\/p>\n

Noah<\/h3>\n

Even though there are many “good thoughts” that I can include throughout the Bible, not everything speaks of me. Only Noah, for example, was given the task of building an ark. Not even in the context of the time was that a statement for all people. Today, it is much less something that we have to follow. The same applies to many other statements in the Bible. Here is the differentiation: we can learn a lot from the story of Noah, but we do not have to build an ark. Today, it would be a sign of unbelief if we thought we had to build an ark, because God has expressly said that there would never be another flood like this (Gen 9:11). If we read what Peter writes about this, we should rather build something fireproof today (2Pet 3:10). However, there is no such order.[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1\/1″][vc_column_text uncode_shortcode_id=”182850″]If I want to understand how God speaks to me and to us and where exactly I can find this in the Bible, then I need to take a closer look at the Bible. Many people shy away from this. The Bible is extensive and difficult to understand. That’s true, of course. However, it is precisely this fact that should serve as a warning to exercise caution. The Bible is not difficult, but it is indeed extensive if you have never dealt with it before.<\/p>\n

Another problem is that many churches and congregations do not promote Bible knowledge (Israel had a similar experience, Hos 4:6). You usually hear an excerpt from popular doctrines preached. However, this does not teach you how to deal with the Bible. No wonder many Christians are overwhelmed by the Bible. I get that. But I would like to add: You don’t have to understand everything to gain a better insight.<\/p>\n

There are approaches to a better understanding of the Bible:[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row row_height_percent=”0″ back_color=”color-731465″ overlay_alpha=”50″ gutter_size=”3″ column_width_percent=”100″ shift_y=”0″ z_index=”0″ uncode_shortcode_id=”194443″ back_color_type=”uncode-palette” css=”.vc_custom_1716023418760{margin-bottom: 40px !important;}”][vc_column width=”1\/1″][vc_column_text uncode_shortcode_id=”563976″]<\/p>\n

1. read and believe<\/h4>\n

A first approach is: Believe what it<\/strong> says. Believe what it says and don’t believe what is not mentioned at all. Here are some examples:<\/p>\n