The Question Why didn’t Jesus write His own book of the Bible? Owning Your Worldview The Question Why didn’t Jesus write His own book of the Bible?

Breaking Down the Question Could Jesus have written a book of the Bible? Was Jesus able to read and write? Is it reasonable for people today to expect Him to written something? What did communication look like in His day? Are there reasons for Him to not write a book? How would writing a book impact His ministry?

Was Jesus able to read and write? Luke 4:16-17 16 He came to Nazareth, where He had been brought up. As usual, He entered the synagogue on the Sabbath day and stood up to read. 17 The scroll of the prophet Isaiah was given to Him, and unrolling the scroll, He found the place where it was written:… The Holy Bible: Holman Christian standard version. (2009). (Lk 4:16–17). Nashville: Holman Bible Publishers. John 8:6-7 6 They asked this to trap Him, in order that they might have evidence to accuse Him. Jesus stooped down and started writing on the ground with His finger. 7 When they persisted in questioning Him, He stood up and said to them, “The one without sin among you should be the first to throw a stone at her.” The Holy Bible: Holman Christian standard version. (2009). (Jn 8:6–7). Nashville: Holman Bible Publishers. No scholar would argue that Jesus was illiterate.

What did communication look like in His day? Approximately 10% of people in the region were literate. Writing was not as critical as it is today. Oral story telling was how most people communicated. Testifying about yourself (autobiography) did not have the cultural and legal weight that testimony by multiple other people carried.

What did communication look like in His day? For those people who did wish to write something down, they generally hired a scribe to record what they said. A scribe was a professional. They carried respect because they created a body of work beyond just the person they were writing about at the moment.

How would writing a book impact His ministry? Create relationships not a religion. The Jewish people already had the Law. If Jesus would have just written a book Christians would just consider it the New Law.

How would writing a book impact His ministry? Create relationships not a religion. UNITY: If Jesus wrote something then His work would have dominated all other authors, and their work would have been set aside. The Bible is designed to interpret itself. It can only do this because it is inerrant and all books are equally respected.

How would writing a book impact His ministry? Create relationships not a religion. LEADERSHIP: Jesus spoke in parables. This kept some concepts from “secret” from those who weren’t truly seeking. This left the apostles in a position to be teachers and leaders. Mark 4:10-12 10 When He was alone with the Twelve, those who were around Him asked Him about the parables. 11 He answered them, “The secret of the kingdom of God has been given to you, but to those outside, everything comes in parables 12 so that they may look and look, yet not perceive; they may listen and listen, yet not understand; otherwise, they might turn back— and be forgiven.” The Holy Bible: Holman Christian standard version. (2009). (Mk 4:10–12). Nashville: Holman Bible Publishers.

How would writing a book impact His ministry? Limited Focus and Purpose All effective ministries have a limited scope and purpose. Jesus was not trying to provide a ministry that was all things to all people. Jesus was a teacher, healing, and exorcist. This left many important ministry functions to the Holy Spirit.

How would writing a book impact His ministry? Limited Focus and Purpose UNITY: Amongst other things, the Holy Spirit provided the inspiration for the Bible. If Jesus would have written a book it would have detracted from the other books. This would have hurt the the Holy Spirit’s ministry. Each person of the Trinity has a unique ministry that uplifts the others and they are always in harmony.

How would writing a book impact His ministry? Limited Focus and Purpose LEADERSHIP: Jesus modeled the role of a good leader for the apostles and the greater Church. He didn’t attempt to perform all of the ministry’s work by Himself. He trusted His disciples to play a significant role in the creation of the Bible. This fostered responsibility, leadership, ownership, and trust.

Summing Up the Answer Jesus could have written a book of the Bible. It was not unusual that He chose not to. Having a number of different testimonies increases the credibility of the Biblical books. Having others writing about your teachings and actions was commonplace in His day.

Summing Up the Answer If Jesus would have written a book the negative impacts could have included: Pushing people towards religion instead of relationship with Himself. Disrupting unity within the Trinity and the biblical authors. Lost opportunity for building leaders and modeling leadership within the early church.

Owning Your Worldview