Our identity is shaped by our history. Who I am today is the product of all I have experienced in the past - my history. Our identity as Australians is shaped by our collective history. What about our identity as Christians? Sure, we are sons and daughters of God adopted into his family through Jesus Christ. But our identity - our perception of who we are - is shaped by our history.
And that is why the Bible - both Old and New Testaments - is so important for Christians; it is the record of our history. Of course, it is so much more than this; but surely this aspect is vitally important. In the Old Testament we read about Abraham, Isaac, Jacob and their descendants, the Israelites. This is our history! These stories are our stories; they shape our identity. Even those parts of the Bible we tend to skim over or even ignore, such as Leviticus and Numbers, are important because they are part of OUR history.
Every part of the Bible is relevant, not because it speaks directly into contemporary situations, but because as our history is shapes our identity, which in turn influences how we approach everyday life. If I know my history, I know who I am, I live who I am. Maybe if we appropriate every part of the Bible as OUR history, we will find it much more engaging and it will actually influence how we live!
And that is why the Bible - both Old and New Testaments - is so important for Christians; it is the record of our history. Of course, it is so much more than this; but surely this aspect is vitally important. In the Old Testament we read about Abraham, Isaac, Jacob and their descendants, the Israelites. This is our history! These stories are our stories; they shape our identity. Even those parts of the Bible we tend to skim over or even ignore, such as Leviticus and Numbers, are important because they are part of OUR history.
Every part of the Bible is relevant, not because it speaks directly into contemporary situations, but because as our history is shapes our identity, which in turn influences how we approach everyday life. If I know my history, I know who I am, I live who I am. Maybe if we appropriate every part of the Bible as OUR history, we will find it much more engaging and it will actually influence how we live!
Awesome encouragement Ashley. Keep up the great work you are doing for Him. You are a part of the history of so many and the generations to follow.
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