After describing the chief end of man as glorifying and enjoying God forever, the catechism then goes on to say: "For more, refer to the Bible." Or it the language of the 17th century, the Bible is the "only rule to direct how we may glorify and enjoy him."
Not too surprising for people familiar with Christianity, the Bible is universally understood to be important for Christians to know. However, I like how the catechism connects this answer to the previous question, reminding us that the Bible is not textbook of everything (there is something that the Bible can be said to "principally teach," thus implying that there are matters that are not the Bible's principal message), but rather the pathway to the life that is really life: the main point of human life--discovering our deep joy in the glory of God.
This is how we are to gauge our spiritual health--not by how we feel inside, nor by how we match up with society's expectations, but rather whether we are believing what the Bible teaches to us and living what the Bible calls us to.
But the Bible is so complicated, how can we even begin to wrap our heads around it? I'm glad you asked, because the Westminster theologians had some good advice that they gave in their Confession of Faith (which as you may recall, is the theology that the catechism is teaching). What do I mean?
First: don't think you can understand the Bible without God's help. The "inward illumination of the Holy Spirit [is] necessary." (WCF 1.6) That means that if you're reading without praying you'll almost certainly miss the point. If you're not asking for the Spirit to help you understand, the book will remain as confusing as it first seems. (Remember too that the Spirit loves to use people, so this is why it's good to be in conversation with people around you--or in history--about the Bible's meaning)
Second: don't think that understanding the Bible is impossible. (1.7) Though the Westminster Standards were written by theologians, they didn't think you had to be a genius to glorify and enjoy God forever. "Those things which are necessary to be known, believed, and observed for salvation" are put forth in Scripture in such a way that everyone can get the point of the Bible if we read it in prayer, in community, and in practice. The Bible is a complex book, but the message is understandable, if we don't make it more complicated that it is. God's voice is there to be heard, if we are listening.
Third: let Scripture interpret Scripture. (1.9) When you do come to part that makes no sense to you, try to understand it in the light of the parts you do understand. This reminds us that the Bible is one book with one message, or a symphony with one primary score though it has lots of minor chords and submelodies. But when you feel lost in the weeds, let the clear parts of the Bible interpret the murky parts.
As we seek to learn how to glorify and enjoy God through the incredible gift of his Word, the theology of Westminster offers us som helpful categories and advice as to how to do so faithfully. So now, go and open up your Bible, because God wants to speak to you!
Not too surprising for people familiar with Christianity, the Bible is universally understood to be important for Christians to know. However, I like how the catechism connects this answer to the previous question, reminding us that the Bible is not textbook of everything (there is something that the Bible can be said to "principally teach," thus implying that there are matters that are not the Bible's principal message), but rather the pathway to the life that is really life: the main point of human life--discovering our deep joy in the glory of God.
This is how we are to gauge our spiritual health--not by how we feel inside, nor by how we match up with society's expectations, but rather whether we are believing what the Bible teaches to us and living what the Bible calls us to.
But the Bible is so complicated, how can we even begin to wrap our heads around it? I'm glad you asked, because the Westminster theologians had some good advice that they gave in their Confession of Faith (which as you may recall, is the theology that the catechism is teaching). What do I mean?
First: don't think you can understand the Bible without God's help. The "inward illumination of the Holy Spirit [is] necessary." (WCF 1.6) That means that if you're reading without praying you'll almost certainly miss the point. If you're not asking for the Spirit to help you understand, the book will remain as confusing as it first seems. (Remember too that the Spirit loves to use people, so this is why it's good to be in conversation with people around you--or in history--about the Bible's meaning)
Second: don't think that understanding the Bible is impossible. (1.7) Though the Westminster Standards were written by theologians, they didn't think you had to be a genius to glorify and enjoy God forever. "Those things which are necessary to be known, believed, and observed for salvation" are put forth in Scripture in such a way that everyone can get the point of the Bible if we read it in prayer, in community, and in practice. The Bible is a complex book, but the message is understandable, if we don't make it more complicated that it is. God's voice is there to be heard, if we are listening.
Third: let Scripture interpret Scripture. (1.9) When you do come to part that makes no sense to you, try to understand it in the light of the parts you do understand. This reminds us that the Bible is one book with one message, or a symphony with one primary score though it has lots of minor chords and submelodies. But when you feel lost in the weeds, let the clear parts of the Bible interpret the murky parts.
As we seek to learn how to glorify and enjoy God through the incredible gift of his Word, the theology of Westminster offers us som helpful categories and advice as to how to do so faithfully. So now, go and open up your Bible, because God wants to speak to you!
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