What’s the book about?” That’s an exciting question for those who love to read. The narrative unfolds and ensues as words become sentences and sentences become paragraphs. Careful readers understand that the theme of a book often takes more than a simple explanation. The theme of a well-structured book has subthemes that interweave and direct the reader back to the main theme.

Isn’t literature interesting?

The Bible is also literature, and the Bible is no ordinary book. As we have seen in past articles, the Bible is made up of 66 books that have been breathed out by God. So, the question of “What is the Bible all about?” is not as easily answered as, “What is Little Women all about?” However, we can answer knowing that the Scriptures speak of Jesus—for Jesus Himself says that the Scriptures testify of Him (John 5:39). We can also say that the theme of the Bible is knowing God. This is where the Westminster Larger Catechism points its readers in unfolding the theme of the Bible: “What do the Scriptures make known of God?” Subtly, the catechism reveals the theme and then unfolds the subthemes in their answer. This is not always seen with full clarity.

The Westminster Confession of Faith says, “When there is a question about the true and full sense of any Scripture (which is not manifold, but one), it must be searched and known by other places that speak more clearly” (1.9).

So, as we meditate on the theme of the Scriptures, we must consider that the Bible is given so that you may know the true God and know Jesus Christ and His way of salvation. Some have thought that the Scriptures were given that we might see the glory of God. That is true—Scripture causes converted readers to glorify God—but the creation also shows us God’s glory. The creation shows us that He is wonderful and powerful. The “book” of His creation preaches that God is good, God is to be praised, and God is to be glorified!

The Bible preaches the theme and subthemes that creation is not able to preach. The Apostle Paul says, “Because what may be known of God is manifest in them, for God has shown it to them. For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead” (Rom. 1:19-20).

Creation preaches the attributes, power, and essence of God. The Bible teaches about the personal properties of God and His plan of redemption. The Father plans redemption. The Son secures redemption. The Spirit applies redemption. These truths—a triune God and His redemptive work—are only known through the book of Scripture, as the book of creation falls short in teaching us of these things.

• Creation does not reveal the attributes of God in their fullness. Scripture does.

• Creation does not tell of the triune nature of God (despite St. Augustine’s and St. Patrick’s meditations). Scripture does.

• Creation does not tell of the creation in six days, the creation of angels, the fall into sin, and the plan of redemption. Scripture does.

• Creation does not unfold the beauty of the gospel that centers on the person and work of Jesus Christ. Scripture does.

“What’s that book about?” you may be asked while holding the Bible. The answer may not be as simple as the petitioner might have hoped. But the rewards for picking up the Scriptures and reading are far more supreme than ever imagined. The reward is eternal, because the Scriptures make known of God and His truth.