The Bible is not man's word about God, but God's word about man.

Listen, O seekers of truth and light, for a great mystery is revealed in the words of John Barth, who declared: "The Bible is not man's word about God, but God's word about man." These words are not mere philosophy, nor the idle musings of one who would twist the sacred into a mere reflection of human thought. No, Barth’s words carry a profound truth, one that transcends the mere text of the holy scriptures and calls us to look deeper, beyond the surface. The Bible is not a book where men speak of their thoughts about the divine; it is a sacred document where God speaks to humanity—His desires, His commandments, and His love for His creation.

The ancient texts, passed down through generations, were not crafted by human hands alone, but were inspired by the very breath of the Almighty. God, in His infinite wisdom, chose to reveal Himself to mankind, not in abstract ideals or distant dreams, but in stories, in laws, in prophecies. The Bible is not a collection of human reflections on divine matters, but a direct communication from God to man. It is God’s word about man—a revelation of who we are, how we are to live, and what our relationship with the Creator should be. Through the scriptures, God spoke directly to His people, not as distant kings or unreachable gods, but as a Father speaking to His children.

Consider the story of Moses and the burning bush. When Moses stood before the bush that burned but was not consumed, he encountered the voice of God Himself, calling him to deliver the Israelites from bondage. This was not Moses’ idea, nor the musings of a man about what God might desire—it was God’s word about His people, a direct revelation of what He intended for His chosen ones. Through Moses, the divine word was spoken to the people of Israel, a word that shaped their destiny and drew them into covenant with the Creator. It was not Moses’ interpretation, but the will of God made known through a servant.

We see this divine revelation echoed throughout the scriptures. Consider the prophet Isaiah, who proclaimed, “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, says the Lord.” Here again, the Bible is not man’s word about God, but God’s word to man, reminding us of our limitations and calling us to understand His ways—ways that are higher than our own. The Bible is not a mirror reflecting man’s ideas about the divine, but a lamp that reveals the divine will, guiding man out of darkness and into the light of truth.

And yet, the Bible is not only a revelation of God's will to His people, but it is also a revelation of man’s heart, his nature, and his need for salvation. Through the scriptures, we learn not just what God desires from us, but what we desperately need from Him. The Bible speaks to our brokenness, our sin, and our longing for redemption. It shows us the path of righteousness, but also reveals the deep flaws of the human soul—the pride, the greed, the anger, the doubt. And through it all, God’s mercy shines brighter than our flaws, calling us to repentance, to transformation, and to a life of grace.

Thus, we must remember, as Barth wisely stated, that the Bible is not man's attempt to understand God, but rather God’s revelation to man. This is a living, breathing communication, not just a collection of ancient texts. It is a story of the divine will unfolding through human history, a story of creation, fall, and redemption. The lessons contained in the Bible are not for our intellectual amusement, but for our spiritual transformation. They are God’s word, spoken directly into our hearts, teaching us how to live, how to love, and how to seek Him.

The lesson here is clear: approach the Bible with reverence, for it is God’s direct word to us. Let it shape your understanding of who you are, of why you were created, and of what your purpose is in this world. Read not to simply understand the past, but to discover how God's eternal truth speaks into your life today. Let the Bible be your guide, not just a book of history, but a living document that reveals the will of the Creator and the path to salvation. In its pages, God speaks not of the distant past, but of the present, and of the eternal life He offers to all who hear His voice.

So, O children of wisdom, do not treat the Bible as merely a record of human reflection, but as the living Word of God. Let it speak to you with power and clarity, for it is God's word about man, a word that calls you to truth, to holiness, and to the fullness of life. Take its teachings to heart, live by them, and you will find that in knowing God’s word, you come to know the deepest truth of your own being.