A Biblical Vision - Conclusion

A Biblical Vision is an expositional theology of Scripture.  It is not the definitive perspective but it seeks to demonstrate that the Bible is the definitive rule of faith for all Christians.  We must look to Scripture to know God in every doctrine and to understand His calling for us.  The conclusion of this series then is to look to the theocentric and Biblical theology of Scripture and to not compromise to the contemporary perspectives and trends of culture.  Departing from the truth of Scripture either directly or indirectly will result in Spiritual death for the church, the culture and the family. 

Since the initial writing of this series I’ve referenced Francis Schaeffer’s work, Death in the City, which I read over thirty-five years ago.  The influence of this book made a profound impact upon my thinking and I credit any references or parallel thoughts to Schaeffer.  I’ve been blessed to read and study many great Reformed theologians who also point us to the truth of Scripture, and I credit all of them as well.  The Biblical vision has been upheld by many, and brings a theology that reforms us back to God, to a Reformed theology that brings a theocentric perspective to all of life.  This perspective highlights the Spiritual life in Christ. 

The Spiritual vitality we can find in Christ can only come from the Word of God.  Salvation is a supernatural conversion from being dead in sin to being alive in Christ.  And in Christ we are called to grow to maturity in the faith and the likeness Christ, to obedience to all His commandments, so as to turn away from the world.  We need a theocentric or supernatural vision of Scripture for this obedience even as Jesus himself was God centered in all that He did.  There are many areas of brokenness and Spiritual death in the world, but only the Spiritual life of the Bible can bring true redemption, restoration and reformation in Christ.

An emphasis on a Biblical vision of God will also bring unity to the church as the church seeks to grow in the knowledge of God.  There is just one Truth and yet there are many necessary applications of this truth of God.  We therefore must seek the vision of the one truth of Scripture as it was inspired, and then the many applications for our modern culture.  The following is just a summary of the Biblical truth of God.

Du.6:4-5, "Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one! You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength."

Mk.12:29, "Jesus answered him, The first of all the commandments is: Hear, O Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is one. And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength.  This is the first commandment. And the second, like it, is this: You shall love your neighbor as yourself.  There is no other commandment greater than these."

- The centrality of God is revealed in both the OT and the NT.  God makes it clear that He must be the center of all our doctrine, worship and lives.

Is.6:2-3, "Above it stood seraphim; each one had six wings: with two he covered his face, with two he covered his feet, and with two he flew. And one cried to another and said: Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of hosts; the whole earth is full of His glory."

Re.4:8, "The four living creatures, each having six wings, were full of eyes around and within. And they do not rest day or night, saying: Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty, Who was and is and is to come."

- The holiness of God is the only attribute of God that is repeated three times in Scripture.  It is elevated to the third level of supremacy, that God is absolutely pure and perfect, and He is worthy of our worship.

Jn.17:3-4, 20-21, "And this is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent, I have glorified You on the earth. I have finished the work which You have given Me to do ... I do not pray for these alone, but also for those who will believe in Me through their word; that they all may be one, as You, Father, are in Me, and I in You; that they also may be one in Us, that the world may believe that You sent Me."

Ep.4:4-6, "There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called in one hope of your calling; one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all."

- Jesus declares there is only one true God, and knowing Him is eternal life.  This knowledge of God is personal, it is Spiritual, it is eternal life.  And He prays the church would be one in Him.  The only unity possible is the unity in the one true God.  Paul also declares there is one God, one Father of all, and thus one Spirit, and one church.  Thus we must seek Him in all things and not our individual preferences.

Ro.12:4-5, "For as we have many members in one body, but all the members do not have the same function, so we, being many, are one body in Christ, and individually members of one another."

1Co.12:4-6, "There are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit. There are differences of ministries, but the same Lord. And there are diversities of activities, but it is the same God who works all in all."

- Paul teaches us there is one body in Christ.  There is the one Spirit, and one Lord, and the one God who works His truth in all the church.  We can only be Spiritually empowered from this one true God.

1Ti.1:3, 6:3, "As I urged you when I went into Macedonia—remain in Ephesus that you may charge some that they teach no other doctrine ... If anyone teaches otherwise and does not consent to wholesome words, even the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the doctrine which accords with godliness."

2Ti.4:3-4, "For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, because they have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers; and they will turn their ears away from the truth, and be turned aside to fables."

- Paul exhorts us to give the highest priority to the doctrines of Scripture as the truth of God, which is essential for a healthy, vibrant, Spirit filled faith.

Ro.11:33-36, "Oh, the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments and His ways past finding out!  For who has known the mind of the Lord?  Or who has become His counselor?  Or who has first given to Him and it shall be repaid to him?  For of Him and through Him and to Him are all things, to whom be glory forever. Amen."

Re.21:22-23, "But I saw no temple in it, for the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are its temple. The city had no need of the sun or of the moon to shine in it, for the glory of God illuminated it. The Lamb is its light."

- The revelation of the truth, character and glory of God is the shining Light that propels us out of ourselves and into a new vision of reality, found in a Biblical vision of God.  He is glorious, powerful, full of all goodness, truth and light.

A Biblical vision seeks to inspire all Christians to the truth of Christ in Scripture.  For without the truth of Christ we cannot know God.  This truth is the only path that can redeem and restore us individually, in relationships, in churches, in communities, and in all of culture.  This Biblical theology has preserved the church throughout its history and can preserve it for the generations to come.  It can do so for the PCA as well.  We must make the truth of Scripture the priority for all of life and faith so as to live in the Spiritual life of Christ.  It is to our great Spiritual blessings and to God’s glory if we live in this Biblical vision.