Article November 21, 1983 Issue

The Bible and the power of the living Word

MARK RUBLE

The Bible is a sacred and practical book. It records a historic period in which God's laws and love for man were revealed. But to look at the Bible as mere history, as something antiquated or past, obscures the very heart of its teaching. Such an approach minimizes the radical, present possibilities of scriptural study.

St. Paul declared, "The word of God is quick, and powerful," or, as the J. B. Phillips translation has it: "The Word that God speaks is alive and active."^{ Heb. 4:12.} A summary of an early sermon given by Mary Baker Eddy, who founded Christian Science, includes this remark: "The material record of the Bible, she said, is no more important to our well-being than the history of Europe and America; but the spiritual application bears upon our eternal life."^{ Mary Baker Eddy, Miscellaneous Writings, p. 170.} Perhaps an experience of mine can help illustrate this point.

After looking for a new apartment for a number of months, I finally found one and moved in. A few days later someone called with another offer. I didn't want to move again, and was going to say "No thanks," but decided to think about it.

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