God reveals himself through his Word. When he speaks, he teaches us what he is like, how he acts, and how he desires us to respond. As a whole, the Bible is about God. It’s about God the Father displaying his glory through God the Son by the power of God the Holy Spirit.
The Bible is one book made up of 66 books. Each book has a major theme that emphasizes an aspect of God’s character or a way he is working to carry out his perfect plan. What follows is an attempt to capture these themes. These themes are certainly reductionistic and required me to make a few tough choices, but I hope you’ll be helped by considering them.
Bible: God of Jesus
- Old Testament: Anticipation
- Gospels: Manifestation
- Acts: Proclamation
- Epistles: Explanation
- Revelation: Consummation
Law
- Genesis: God of Promise
- Exodus: God of Power
- Leviticus: God of Purity
- Numbers: God of Perseverance
- Deuteronomy: God of Preparation
History
- Joshua: God of the Land
- Judges: God of the Rebels
- Ruth: God of Redemption
- 1 Samuel: God of the Heart
- 2 Samuel: God of the Throne
- 1 and 2 Kings: God of Israel
- 1 and 2 Chronicles: God of Judah
- Ezra: God of the Temple
- Esther: God of the Gallows
- Nehemiah: God of the Wall
Wisdom
- Job: God of Pain
- Psalms: God of Praise
- Proverbs: God of Prudence
- Ecclesiastes: God of Purpose
- Song of Solomon: God of Passion
Major Prophets
- Isaiah: God of Glory
- Jeremiah: God of Weeping
- Lamentations: God of Faithfulness
- Ezekiel: God of Visions
- Daniel: God of History
Minor Prophets
- Hosea: God of the Unfaithful
- Joel: God of the Locusts
- Amos: God of the Oppressed
- Obadiah: God of the Mountain
- Jonah: God of Compassion
- Micah: God of Justice
- Nahum: God of Wrath
- Habakkuk: God of Sovereignty
- Zephaniah: God of Judgment
- Haggai: God of Renewal
- Zechariah: God of Restoration
- Malachi: God of Worship
History
- Matthew: God of the Jews
- Mark: God of the Romans
- Luke: God of the Outcast
- John: God of the World
- Acts: God of Power
Pauline Epistles
- Romans: God of Righteousness
- 1 Corinthians: God of Holiness
- 2 Corinthians: God of Weakness
- Galatians: God of Justification
- Ephesians: God of Unity
- Philippians: God of Joy
- Colossians: God of Preeminence
- 1 Thessalonians: God of Encouragement
- 2 Thessalonians: God of Admonishment
- 1 Timothy: God of Godliness
- 2 Timothy: God of Endurance
- Titus: God of Works
- Philemon: God of Reconciliation
General Epistles
- Hebrews: God of Fulfillment
- James: God of Trials
- 1 Peter: God of the Persecuted
- 2 Peter: God of Patience
- 1 John: God of Love
- 2 John: God of Truth
- 3 John: God of Discernment
- Jude: God of Protection
Prophecy
- Revelation: God of Eternity
I found the process of reflecting on God’s message in each book deeply edifying, and I would enjoy hearing any ways you can improve this list.
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