The Main Point of the Bible

What is the main point of the Bible?

Let me be more precise: What is the main point of the Bible for Christians?

The answer is clearly stated in the New Testament. When Jesus was talking with the Jewish authorities in Jerusalem he boldly proclaimed,

You study the Scriptures diligently because you think that in them you have eternal life. These are the very Scriptures that testify about me, yet you refuse to come to me to have life. (John 5:39-40)

The Scriptures tell us about Jesus for one simple purpose: so that we go to him and receive life. Our reading of the Bible should move us closer to Jesus the Messiah. It should lead us to turn to him, believe in him, and follow him. The Scriptures were written to draw people toward a Person.

But like Jesus’ audience, many Bible readers miss the point. They read it, but they don’t move closer to Christ.

Consider how Paul’s statement in 1 Corinthians 15 clearly emphasizes Christ. (I’ve highlighted the key phrases.)

For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures, and that he appeared to Cephas, and then to the Twelve. After that, he appeared to more than five hundred of the brothers and sisters at the same time, most of whom are still living, though some have fallen asleep. Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles, and last of all he appeared to me also, as to one abnormally born. (1 Corinthians 15:3-8)

According to Paul, what is the most important thing? Christ’s death, burial, resurrection, and appearances. Everything else is secondary. Note that Paul didn’t create this statement. He received it and passed it on. Someone told Paul that this was the main thing and he held fast to it.

Are we conveying the centrality of Christ?

There are many controversial areas of Bible interpretation, such as creation, the flood, and Old Testament warfare. Sometimes it’s necessary to get involved in the controversies. But from the beginning of the Christian movement none of those controversies were the main thing and they should not become the main thing now.

The main thing is Christ.

Earlier in 1 Corinthians, Paul writes,

By the grace God has given me, I laid a foundation as a wise builder, and someone else is building on it. But each one should build with care. For no one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ. (3:10-11)

Paul uses the metaphor of building for his work of teaching. He views himself as a “wise builder” because of the foundation he laid. What was the foundation of Paul’s teaching? Jesus Christ.

In Colossians Paul says, “He [Christ] is the one we proclaim” (1:28). Paul, the one who wrote much of the New Testament, proclaimed Christ.

Finally, the structure of the entire Bible leads us to Christ. How so? The Old Testament looks forward to the Messiah with promises of his arrival and repeated examples of Israel’s failure showing the need for a Messiah, the Gospels narrate his life, and the rest of the New Testament reflects on the significance of his life, death, and resurrection. Looking forward, narrating, and looking back to Christ sums up the whole Bible.So why should the Bible lead us to Jesus?

• Jesus said that was the purpose of the Scriptures.
• According to Paul, the main thing is Christ’s death, burial, resurrection, and appearances.
• Paul said that Christ was the foundation and content of his preaching.
• The structure of the entire Bible centers on Christ.

In a nutshell: “The whole point of the Bible, ‘the Word of God’ on paper, is to reveal and lead us to Christ, ‘the Word of God’ in human flesh” (Kreeft & Tacelli, 82).

Les Bridgeman

After graduating from Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary, I served as a high school Bible teacher in Asia. I enjoy traveling, writing, and playing the drums. My latest book focuses on Paul’s work as a tentmaker and what it means for today.