"Light of the Word" (Susan C. Lim)

TITLE: Light of the Word: How Knowing the History of the Bible Illuminates Our Faith
AUTHOR: Susan C. Lim
PUBLISHER: Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 2023, (240 pages).
 

The Christian faith is anchored on the Bible. Without the Word, we cannot know God and there is no Christianity of today. Without knowing the history of the Bible, we might not be able to fully appreciate the Truth. In fact, knowing the history of the Bible is to know the context of its formation. In Bible studies, one of the most important principles is to interpret the verses in context. That means recognizing the embedded meaning within the passage instead of mere verses alone. Context depends not only on literal meaning but also on literary forms. Other contextual considerations include cultural awareness, linguistic nuances, genre types, historical backgrounds, etc. Knowing the history of the Bible is like the study of the contextual origins of the Bible, that a good understanding will increase our faith and insight. It is the key to unlocking the Truth and build up our faith. Not only that, as far as the author is concerned, the Word has become her strength and refuge in many personal circumstances. Seeing the history of the Bible helps her to visualize her faith profoundly. In both her first and second confessions of faith, it was the Word that consistently guided and encouraged her. She begins with the angle of Scriptures and Salvation, to point out the reliability of the Bible even when many of us have expressed different types of doubts from time to time. Whatever it is, doubts do not negate salvation. Instead, they spur us to a deeper knowledge of the Word. She guides us through the origins of the canon, what it means, why it is important, and what it means for her personally. 

In the same way, she points out how the Bible was inherited via Old Testament traditions, rooted in history, and carefully passed down from generation to generation. She encourages us to read the Bible not in some mechanical "life manual" but a living Word that we can "dance with the Lord." That means "absorbing, meditating, responding, and living out" the Word. Apart from the canon, she also covers the pseudepigrapha and apocryphal works, showing us why they do not belong to the canon. On how the Bible changes lives, she gives us the testimonies of Billy Graham and Charles Templeton, who used to serve together in many evangelistic events. Their paths shifted dramatically because of their fundamental disagreements over the way they see the Bible. Graham takes his doubts as a way to cultivate greater faith in God. Templeton's doubts led to his own downfall as he sank deeper into the valley of constant suspicions about the reliability of the Bible. On miracles, she gives us reasonable explanations on why the miracles in the Bible are believable. She does the same for the New Testament, giving us summaries of each book, providing historical evidence, the canonization process, with witness and support from the Church Fathers, and many believers of old. 

My Thoughts
The Bible is not an easy book to read. For a modern audience to understand ancient texts is already a tall order. Add to that the many doubts about the reliability of the Bible, it can be daunting to those who are unfamiliar with the history of the Bible. For those who are long-term believers, it can also challenge them to move beyond any complacency and find ways to grow in their knowledge and understanding of the Bible.

Let me give three thoughts about what this book means to the believer, the doubter, and the skeptic. For the believer, this book raises good questions about the history and reliability of the Bible. Some believers do not ask enough questions to increase their understanding. That will be a pity because asking questions opens up many learning moments. For there is a kind of doubt that leads to faith. Believers should not be discouraged whenever they have doubts about the Bible or Christian faith. In fact, the Word of God is more than able to stand on its own. We need to be challenged to learn and to grow in appreciating how the Bible has survived the many formidable challenges of old. This book should equip believers with basic questions and tenets that underscore the reliability and authenticity of the Bible.

For the doubter, do not be afraid to let the doubts drive the search for Truth. This book is essentially written by a doubter, the author herself. Sharing her many moments of searching for answers, Susan Lim has done for the Bible what Lee Strobel has done for proving the authenticity of the Resurrection of Jesus Christ. Lim shows her own personal journey from confession to conviction, and from doubts to deeper faith. This is something that readers can take note of. 

For the skeptic, I urge you to give this book a chance. Explore the points mentioned and the evidence shown. I do not presume that the book can provide all the answers that you are looking for. At least, see the reasons and evidence in the book as probable answers to any doubts you might have. Be honest about your default views. For many people, their default views are already biased in some ways. Whether it is a believer or unbeliever, secularist or skeptic, we all have some philosophical leanings or assumptions that we hold on to. Read this book with an open mind. 

So whether you are a believer, a doubter, or a skeptic, have an open mind to give this book a read. Who knows, it might very well be a light to deeper insights about the Bible.

Susan C. Lim (PhD, UCLA) is a historian and writer. She has been a professor of history at Biola University in La Mirada, California, and is a speaker at conferences, churches, and retreats. She loves to share God's Word and serve at her home church, Mariners Church in Irvine, California. She resides in Southern California with her husband, Brian, and their two children.

Rating: 4.25 stars out of 5.

conrade

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This book has been provided courtesy of InterVarsity Press via NetGalley without requiring a positive review. All opinions offered above are mine unless otherwise stated or implied.