SpOL

SpOL-085 FAVORITE BOOK OF THE BIBLE

I have often been asked which book of the Bible is my favorite. It’s a difficult question for me to answer, because I have a hard time narrowing it down to only one.

For example, it was while reading Paul’s letter to the Galatians that I found my epiphany, you might say, of the real grace of God. The Gospel of John always moves me deeply with the grandeur of the Incarnation of the Son of God. And I have found the book of Hebrews to be an inspiring summary of New Covenant Christianity.

But if I had to choose only one book, I think I’d have to say that Paul’s letter to the Romans is for me a never-ending source of encouragement, comfort and joy in the gospel.

The book of Romans probably comes the closest of all the New Testament books of giving a systematic perspective of God’s love and grace toward all humanity. Romans is also one of the letters of the apostle Paul that is universally accepted as being of authentic Pauline authorship. Precise information furnished by Clement of Rome, Ignatius of Antioch and Polycarp make it certain that Paul himself is the actual writer.

My favorite verse in the Bible is found in the book of Romans. It is Romans 8, verse one:

“Therefore, there is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, for the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has set you free from the law of sin and of death” (Romans 8:1, 2 NIV).

The book of Romans has played a powerful role in Church history. Influential Christian writers such as Origen, Thomas Aquinas and Philip Melanchthon, to mention only a few, wrote commentaries on the epistle.

Martin Luther was personally transformed by Paul’s teaching about justification by faith alone in the book of Romans, sparking the Protestant Reformation. And Karl Barth found in the book of Romans the absolute sovereignty of God, and God’s complete freedom in revealing himself in Jesus Christ.

Barth’s deep conviction of the victorious reality of Christ’s resurrection is an important feature of his Commentary on the Epistle to the Romans.

In short, this Pauline epistle has exerted a powerful influence on all branches of the Christian Church, and its impact on the lives and thoughts of prominent Christian thinkers through the years has been second, perhaps, only to the four gospels.

In trying to answer the question of what is my favorite book in the Bible, I ultimately come to the conclusion that you don’t have to have a favorite. Still, it is not a bad way to get into Bible Study. By trying to answer the question, “Which is my favorite book?” one must spend time with each book. And in doing so, you just may discover another important truth: the Bible is the only book that when you read it, the One who inspired it is present with you.

I’m Joseph Tkach, speaking of Life.