The Bible is a unique library of inspired writings. The temptation, when we are dealing with a biblical topic, is to select a few favorite verses that match our own thinking. However, all of Scripture should be taken into account because our spiritual lives depend on “every word” spoken by God.
All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work (2 Timothy 3:16-17).
[Jesus] answered, “It is written, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God’” (Matthew 4:4).
A subject as large as “roles” appears in many passages of the Bible. In order to take a systematic approach, this study surveys the historical books of the Bible to observe God’s activity at every stage of His journey with humanity. Where the divine record refers to certain individuals, we may bold their names—often at the first mention—to provide a visual impression. The Bible’s historical books stretch from Genesis to Esther, 17 books in our English Old Testament, then continue with the first 5 books of the New Testament. Where most relevant, this course also explores the accompanying writings of the inspired authors. While this course aims for fair and accurate coverage, it does not claim to be exhaustive.
Why do we emphasize God’s active choices? Because, in the world, roles are largely determined by human choices in the form of traditions, cultures, and countercultures. Humans fall short of the glory of God (Romans 3:23). Consequently, our cultures are fallen. That fallenness expresses itself in selfishness, greed, power struggles, hostility, and cruel abuse. All of history stresses the human obsession with power as, for example, shown by the wicked kings of Israel. The historian, Edward Gibbon, famously said, “History is indeed little more than the register of the crimes, follies, and misfortunes of mankind.” For spiritual guidance, we have no interest in human corruption, whether past or present. We want to learn the perfect choices of the God who is love (1 John 4:8; Deuteronomy 32:4).