“There exists today a widening consensus by many in our country that the Bible does not belong in the public square or in public education. Of course, this is nonsense. The Bible is the greatest Book ever written and the best textbook any serious student could ever encounter. This is not only a sentiment held by theologians throughout history but, also, it was the dominant opinion of our Founding Fathers. In the article below, Dr. Sam Thomas continues his argument for why the Bible is the greatest textbook ever written, this time in matters of anthropology and history.”

- Dr. Jason J. Nelson (Editor-in-Chief)

BIBLE AS THE BEST TEXTBOOK ON ANTHROPOLOGY

Today, we look at how and why the Bible is the best textbook on anthropology.  

The American Anthropological Association defines anthropology as the study of what makes us human. Anthropology is the quest to understand what we share as humans. 

Why do we say that the Bible is the best textbook on anthropology? I believe the Bible provides us with four important insights that helps us understand who human beings are.

The first insight comes to us from Genesis 1:27 where we are told that human beings are created by God. Therefore, humans are created in the image and likeness of God. This implies that all human beings are equal. No one is greater than or lesser than another. We are also told that human beings are created male and female. This is important in a context where there is a lot of gender confusion. 

The second insight: What does it mean to be human? is answered by the question – Who is God? In other words, our understanding about being human depends on our understanding about God. In the Bible, anthropology follows theology. Let me explain: 

Because God is gracious, we are called to be gracious. 

Because God is merciful, we are called to be merciful. 

God is holy and therefore we are called to be holy. 

God is compassionate; therefore, we are called to be compassionate. 

God is generous, which is why we are to be generous. 

You and I are the most human when you and I are most like God. Because we have been made in the image and likeness of God.  

The third insight: What is it that destroys our humanness? What is it that distorts our humanity? What is it that makes us less than human? The Bible tells us that it is sin that distorts our humanity that dehumanizes us and makes us less than human. Sin is going contrary to the expressed moral will of God. Sin is going contrary to the image and likeness of God in us.  

The fourth insight: What is it that will rehumanize us? How do we get rid of the distortions to our humanness? Answer: in and through Christ. Christ exposes the human problem called sin; He also provides us with a solution. The cross provides us with solutions to the problems of sin: the penalty of sin, the power of sin and the presence of sin. 

The Bible is the best textbook on anthropology because: (1) it tells us that we are created in the image and likeness of God. (2) Humanness is defined by godliness. (3) Sin is what dehumanizes human beings. (4) Christ rehumanizes us and calls us to Christlikeness.

BIBLE AS THE BEST TEXTBOOK ON HISTORY

Today, we also look at how and why the Bible is the best textbook on history. 

Why would we say that? The following are four reasons: 

First, the Bible is the most self-critical history textbook ever written. Most historians of the past have written history that sang praises of their kings and emperors. They exaggerated their military victories and boasted about their economic achievements. They did not really care about what happened to the poor and the needy in society. In contrast to all of that, biblical history does not do any of the above. It criticizes its ruling class and the rich and the powerful. Furthermore, it is concerned with the kingdom’s failures and it heavily criticizes the failures of neighboring kingdoms and empires. 

Second, the Bible seeks to provide a moral history of the people of Israel. The prophets criticized the mistreatment of the poor and the needy. This is writing history from a moral perspective. The prophets criticized the ungodliness of the people of Israel. They did not criticize the people for their lack of military strategies or for their lack of military victories or for their lack of economic advancements. What they criticized the nation for was their moral failures.  

Third, the Bible seeks to provide a divine perspective of history. This explains why biblical history is self-critical and written from a moral perspective. Beginning from Genesis till the book of Revelation, we find this divine perspective of human history.  

Fourth, the Bible provides us with a comprehensive history of humanity. The Bible begins with the creation of human beings and the Bible ends with the new heavens and the new earth. Thus, the Bible covers all of human history. The focus is on Israel but the nations are in the background. There is also a focus to reach out to all the nations. Uniquely, the Bible provides us with a glimpse of the future which is unlike any other history textbook. 

Thus, the Bible is the best history textbook out there because: (1) it provides us with the most self-critical history, (2) it provides us with a moral history, (3) it provides us with a divine perspective, and (4) it provides us with a comprehensive history of humankind.

Once again, these are but a few reasons why the Bible is the best textbook in all of existence.