Bible & the Gospel

Biblical Clarity

"The clarity of Scripture is that quality of the biblical text that, as God's communicative act, ensures its meaning is accessible (and epistemically knowable) to all who come to it in faith" (Mark Thompson, A Clear and Present Word, 169-70). • "Scripture is clear, but hard." Michael Shepherd, The Textual World of the Bible, 90-92.

Biblical Inerrancy

"The inerrancy of Scripture means that Scripture in the original manuscripts does not affirm anything which is contrary to fact" (Wayne Grudem, Bible Doctrine, 42).

Verbal-Plenary

"verbal" = words; "plenary" = full/every: Emphasis is placed upon the inspiration of texts, not authors. The Bible is inspired at the level of sentences and words, not just its message. God has "breathed-out" exactly what he wanted to say through his chosen prophets and apostles to produce the written Word of God. Every written Word of Scripture is equally inspired by God.

1. Summarize how "counting the cost" to follow Christ is not contradicting to the "cost of redemption." (See esp. pp. 94-95) 2. In section II about the "great importance" of "counting the cost," Ryle says he has one "group" in particular he wishes to address. 3. Identify and describe this specific audience. List and briefly describe the multiple examples that follow, explaining how they illustrate why this "group" remains in such immense spiritual danger?

(1) Counting the cost has nothing to do with the fact that saving a man's soul costs nothing less than the blood of the Son of God to provide an atonement, and to redeem man from hell. What counting the cost is about is -> what a man must be ready to give up if he wishes to be saved. It is the amount of sacrifice a man must submit to if he intends to serve Christ. These desires to glorify God require self-sacrifice and immense cost to oneself. - The point- Salvation is a gift, but you must be willing to sacrifice everything after that free gift. (2) The particular audience is of those who have taken up a profession of religion and are not rooted and grounded in their faith. Those that claim to believe in Jesus without having counted the cost. 1. Children of Israel - Lost everything & died in sins because they left Egypt with zeal and never expected hardship. 2. Hearers of the Lord Jesus - Faith gave way to hard work to be done and hard doctrines to believe. 3. King Herod - Religion broke down when we had to give up his darling Herodias. 4. Demas - Gave up Christianity and clang to the world when he couldn't have both the friendship of the world and friendship of God. 5. Evangelical preachers - Stony-ground hearers when the novelty and freshness of their feelings are gone. 6. Professed converts - Cool down to disgust because they had never really known what Bible Christianity was and that they didn't want to carry their cross. 7. Children of religious parents - They had never thoroughly understood the sacrifices which Christianity entails.

The Adamic covenant

- By nature of creation, Adam and Eve are in a covenant relationship with God. The covenant stipulation is to not eat of the tree of knowledge, and "to worship and obey" (Gen 2:15). The covenant blessings include, "Be fruitful and multiply",dominion over creation, peaceful relationship with God and trusting God to determine what is "good". The covenant is broken when Adam and Eve's lack of trust cause them to eat of the tree that will give them their own "knowledge of good and not good." In the midst of the curses that result from the Fall, a redeemer is promised who will be a descendant (seed) of Eve and will crush the head of the serpent (Gen 3:15) - Genesis 1-2

The Noahic covenant

- Humans spiraled downward in evil inclinations. Noah's faith and obedience are recognized by the Lord. After being delivered from the flood, Noah offers a pleasing (faith-filled) sacrifice. God offers a covenant with the blessings: "Be fruitful and multiply", dominion over creation, and peace in the relationship with God.The blessings of the Noahic Covenant seem to be a reversal of the curse of the fall (that God will no longer curse the ground, and Noah can now be fruitful). This covenant made with all humans demonstrates that God will withhold his righteous judgment on human sin in order that humans might have the opportunity to worship Him. Note also the presence of sin (drunkenness) and curses following the scene of covenant renewal. - Genesis 6-9

*Explain why "responding" to the Bible is preferable to what is often understood by "applying" the Bible? The scope of your response should include: Reflection upon key biblical texts, "the limits of 'application'," "application is what God does," and Scripture as "lamp-lighting"

- Romans 15:4 For whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction, that through endurance of the Scriptures we might have hope. - 1 Corinthians 10:11 Now these things happened to them as an example, but they were written down for our instruction, on whom the end of the ages has come. - 2 Timothy 3:16-4:2 All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work. I charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who is to judge the living and the dead, and by his appearing and his kingdom: preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with complete patience and teaching. Limits of Application: 1. Avoid only living by the rule of finding one specific application for life in every encounter with the Word. - Overlooks the complexity of life and the richness of Scriptures. 2. For the most part, "our lives are lived spontaneously" (Mathis 63). 2. We become what we behold (I.E. worship). - Come to see (behold) and feel (savor, treasure, cherish), not just do. - Gospel of Mark: Marveled, Astonished, Amazed Application is what God does: 1. The type of "application" we expect from Scripture will be determined by what we think Scripture is. 2. Communication from God is therefore communion with God, when met with a response of trust from us" (Ward, 32). 3. An appropriate question to ask in response to God's Word: "What is God wanting to do to me, and in me, through the words I am reading?" (Ward, 174-175). 4. Caveat: God's acts towards us and in us are in correspondence to the textual meaning of his divinely inspired Scriptures. Scripture as Lamp-Lighting: 1. Learning the Scriptures which finds it end in "learning Christ" results in the cultivation of biblical wisdom. 2. Scripture as "lamp-lighting" 3. God's word is a lamp to the disciples' feet because God is light, and his word illumines the way of all flesh. 4. Psalm 119:105 "Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path."

The New covenant

- The New Covenant is promised even in Moses' last words that there will be a circumcision of the heart. The New Covenant is not a renewed version of the Mosaic Covenant. The covenant blessings include an internal law. The Old Covenant (i.e., the Mosaic Covenant and not the OT) is rendered obsolete by this New Covenant. The one who made redemption is now the mediator of the New Covenant. The New Covenant is the means of bringing the Abrahamic Covenant and the Davidic Covenant into actuality. - Hebrews 8-10 & Deuteronomy 30:6-10 & Jeremiah 31:31-34 & Ezekiel 36:22-32

Chp. 4 - Bring the Bible Home to Your Heart

- The application that should be pursued when we first open up God's word is astonishment or being in awe of him. - "Some people come to the Bible looking for things to do. Others come to the Bible to see and feel." - See/feel should stir our affections and lead us to a place of astonishment. 1. Understand first how God's words fell on the original hearers, and how they relate to Jesus's person and work. 2. Bring them home to yourself.

The Abrahamic covenant

- The covenant blessings include: a great land, a great people, and a blessing to the nations. The promise will be fulfilled in Abraham's descendant (seed—12:7). Through this promise, the children of Abraham who have the faith of their father will become God's chosen people. The faith of Abraham is a central part of this covenant. Though it has an unconditional aspect to it, the conditional aspect has to do with enjoying the blessings. The blessings of the Abrahamic covenant come to those living by faith. This covenant is the background (context) for God's gracious dealings with Israel and for His blessings to be extended to the nations. - Genesis 12-17

The Davidic covenant

- The son of David would come and bring the covenant blessings of rest in the land, worship of the Lord (cf. the house of the Lord), an eternal kingdom, eternal dwelling in Jerusalem and the son of David being God's Son. One of the promises is that this coming son of David will be God's son. The Davidic Covenant comes in correlation to the previous two (Abrahamic Covenant & Mosaic Covenant). It is important to see the correspondence between these two covenants and the Davidic Covenant. In spite of the failure of the Mosaic Covenant (due to the heart of the people), the Davidic Covenant is the means by which the Abrahamic Covenant can be fulfilled. - 2 Samuel 7 & 1 Chronicles 17

The Mosaic covenant

- This covenant formalized the Hebrews into the LORD God's "holy nation" of Israel by making them his "treasured possession" and a "kingdom of priests." Upon "faith-filled obedience" to God's Law, Israel may receive the blessings of a former covenant wherein God promised to make them a great people with a great land. The primary cause of the failure of this covenant is the "heart-problem" of the people. - Exodus 19-20

Describe and discuss Piper's vision of the relationship between missions, worship, and the glory of God.

- Worship: We are worshiping God when we are fully satisfied in him. The goal and point of worship is to glorify God. - Missions: Missions is fueled by the desire to have people to worship God and enjoy him. The point of missions is to create true worshipers who will then glorify God. - The Westminster confession: "Man's chief end is to glorify God, and to enjoy him forever." Piper changes this to "The chief end of missions is the supremacy of God in the joy of all peoples." - Missions are for the sole purpose of seeing people saved, but more importantly for God being glorified. Mission exists because worship doesn't. The aim of compassion to rescue sinners from everlasting pain and the aim of passion to see God honored are not in conflict. God is most glorified when we are most satisfied in him. - Jesus died for the glory of his Father, and the gladness of his people.

Interact with the various forms of Christian Externalism and their attraction to "fill the gap."

-Formalism, legalism, mysticism, activism, biblicism, psychology-ism, social-ism. -All of these seem potentially believable that people use to border their "Christianity." Though we are still believers, we have redefined our faith in a way that is fundamentally different from biblical Christianity. All of the forms of Christian externalism take one aspect out of the gospel, forsaking the rest. Instead of being a means of grace, they become an end to grace. Christian externalism is so attractive because of our selfishness, environmentalism, and independence. We are selfish in that we like to make the world about us, instead of about God. Environmentalism takes place when we start thinking that sin is worse in people around us, instead of us. When we, like Paul, start understanding just how bad our sin is, we realize that we need a heartfelt reliance on Christ and the means of grace. Independence is a factor because we like to be the one in charge of our lives, and it is difficult to understand just how bad sin makes us, because then we have to rely on God.

2. What are the three main interpretive questions that one should ask for understanding the Bible?

1. What is the Bible all about? 2. What is this biblical book about? 3. What is this passage about?

Explain how the biblical doctrine of adoption (part of our salvation) teaches us about the nature and privilege of prayer.

1. "Abba, Father" is a title reserved for the eternally begotten Son of God, God the Son Incarnate, Jesus Christ. 2. To call God Father is to speak the language unique to the Son, and is a reality to how he first called us his children. 3. Through the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, we have been united to the Son. 4. Because we have received the Spirit of adoption, we are able to share in the sonship of the one and only, begotten Son of the Father. 5. To cry "Abba, Father" in the name of Jesus Christ pays tribute to the exclusive access we have to the One Holy God through the mediation of his only Son, our Great High Priest. This cry is one of utter dependence on God. 6. To pray in and through the Holy Spirit reminds us that the rights and privileges of prayer are a gift bestowed upon those who have believed upon Jesus, the Son of God. 7. Theocentric, focus is on God being our Father than on the truth of our adoption. 8. Prayer is the expression of our new status in Christ and is a means of grace in that it is the God-ordained practice whereby he works in our lives, the church, and the world. - Focus on "Abba, Father" and our new status in Christ. We are called God's sons through the mediation of Jesus. There should be a fierce fear, respect, and thankfulness to God that is expressed in our prayers.

Interpretive Presuppositions

1. Confessional - Inspiration & Revelation; the Word(s) of God 2. Compositional - Communion of Divine and human authorship; biblical authors use literary strategies to compose units into a literary whole 3. Canonical - Biblical books are associated, collected, and circulated; a two-Testament Christian Bible = diverse voices bearing witness in unity to the same, one Triune God and the one gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ.

Name and describe the two kinds of Bible reading as a part of a "Simple Approach" to get the "big idea."

1. Fast Reading - Helps to get the "big idea" of the whole. - Establishes textual context for the parts. 2. Slow Reading - Able to observe textual features. - Gathers textual clues.

The Bible is a Fully Divine and Fully Human Book

1. Historical particularity: written by particular people at a particular time. 2. Overemphasize the divine and you can lead to over-spiritualization. 3. Overemphasize the human and you end up with a boring, ordinary book, with morals & principles, but seems irrelevant.

*In chapter 5, "Keys," Ferguson borrows the analogy that it takes learning the "keys" of a piano to play it properly and well to say that there are also "keys" to reading rightly the Holy Scriptures. Name and describe in detail each of the "five keys" that Ferguson proposes. Ideal responses will take into account the significant sub-discussions that some of the "keys" cover.

1. Key One: Context - Ultimately read a passage in the context of the whole biblical narrative. - Clarifies passages that may have puzzled us A. Justification by faith or works (Paul is dealing more along the lines of legalism and James is dealing with the fact that good works are not irrelevant). - Safeguards against a concordance mentality A. Words take their specific meaning from their particular context (ex. Flesh meaning physical nature vs. fallen nature). - Preserves us from the amplified mentality A. The context in which the word is used considerably narrows the particular nuance it will have in a given context. - Application A. Better equipped to apply its teaching in a practical way. 2. Key Two: Jesus - The Lord Jesus is the center of the Bible's message, and is the key to everything in it. - The Old Testament as a whole is a preparation for Jesus. 3. Key Three: The Unfolding Drama - Keep an eye on the plot line - Ask: What is happening to the covenant promise as God keeps his word and establishes his kingdom, or as his people rebel against him and experience covenant judgment? - Read each narrative in the light of the ongoing conflict promised in Genesis 3:15 - Understand that those involved in the advance of the plot will have their lives drawn into the pattern by which God will ultimately fulfill his promise through Jesus. - Connect the dots to see how God establishes his kingdom. 4. Key Four: Biblical Logic - Biblical imperatives (Do this) are always based on and resourced by biblical indicatives (I the Lord have done this for you). - This will help us to not fall into the trap of thinking salvation in the old covenant was by works and that in the new covenant it is by grace. It is always grace. 5. Key Five: Each part of Scripture to be read according to literary character - We must have an understanding of the kind (type) of literature we are reading, and we must be able to read different kinds of genres.

Three Main Literary Types of the Bible

1. Narrative: Biblical narrative is a text that makes its point primarily by telling a story. 2. Poetry: Biblical poetry is a text where normal language is modified to intensify its impact. Various poetic devices are used that affect how sentences are structured, and there is usually a high concentration of figures of speech (word pictures). 3. Discourse: Discourse is a text that presents a logical sequence of ideas.

List and describe 5 marks of the church that make it distinct from general Christian Community.

1. Preaching/Teaching Ministry of the Word - Specifically to have Pastors over us 2. The Ordinances: Baptism, Lord's Supper - Intentional engagement with these ordinances 3. Church Discipline - Discipline & rebuke from individuals, groups, and the whole body 4. Church (Covenant) Membership - Church is an embassy of the Kingdom, not a Christian social club - Christians submit to a church, not join it - The spiritual authority/accountability to oversee your discipleship in Christ 5. Church Leadership/Authority - Church is led by unique chosen people who are placed into their position by God instead of a random member of a social group

Primary and Secondary Callings

1. Primary Callings - Identity and mission/purpose found in the vocation of Christian Discipleship. - Biblical commandments and need for discipleship. 2. Secondary Callings - The places, circumstances, area, or vocation where your primary callings will be acted out. - Placed beneath the primary calling.

Questions of the Text

1. Textual: Questions that reflect the compositional strategies and the literary forms and practices of biblical authors to convey their meaning through the inspiration of the Holy Spirit. 2. Theological: Questions that reflect the primary character of Scripture as THEOlogical, that is, the Bible as special revelation foremost reveals the Triune God made known through the Lord Jesus Christ. God's discloses himself as supremely absolute, and all else as relative to him.

5 Key Characteristics of the Gospel

1. The Gospel is a message. 2. The Gospel is God's gospel. 3. The Gospel is God's gospel (message) concerning His Son. 4. The Gospel is God's gospel concerning His Son "for us." 5. The preaching of the Gospel consists of a message (announcement) and a summons.

Describe the 5 aspects of the "Word" that Mathis says are to "shape your life" in chapter 1.

1. The Word Original - He initiates, and does so by speaking. This self-expression of God is so deep and rich and full that it is not just personal, but a person. 2. The Word Incarnate - The complete and climatic self-revelation of God to man is the God-man, his Son. Jesus is the divine-human. 3. The Word Evangelical - The gospel word- the message about Jesus. Testimony to the gospel of the grace of God. 4. The Word Written - The Scriptures as God's inspired inerrant, and infallible revelation of himself. God's written word. 5. The Word Pervasive - Fundamental means of God's ongoing grace, through his spirit in the life of the christian and of the church.

Counterfeit Gospels

1. The gospel of inclusion Claim: everyone belongs to the kingdom of God no matter their belief. Counterfeit: The biblical gospel says that all people must repent from their sins and believe. 2. The gospel of unity Claim: making the gospel intrinsically about unity, there can be no disagreements on truth and no discrimination. Counterfeit: The focus should be on Christ and not us. While unity is important, it shouldn't override the biblical message of the gospel. The Bible calls us to rebuke, correct, and speak with gentleness with others. Our fellowship exists for the sake of Christ. 3. The gospel of cosmic renewal Claim: A pickup of a sometimes neglected biblical theme, new creation should be talked about and not just the salvation of sinners. Counterfeit: The goal is not only a new heavens and earth, but that mankind would be redeemed and glorify God in the new heavens and earth. Salvation should be the focal point. 4. The gospel of social justice Claim: A focus on relieving social, political, and economic injustice. Counterfeit: while fighting for injustice is not wrong and we shouldn't passively allow injustice, the true hope comes in the death and resurrection of Jesus and the future day when all things are made right. The salvation of sinners is the focal point and not social justice.

ACTS

Adoration, Confession, Thanksgiving, Supplication

1. What do Beynon and Sach mean by calling biblical interpretation both a science and an art?

Biblical interpretation is a science in that there is a method for interpretation with principles, but it's also an art in that it takes practice to interpret correctly and is learned by doing. It is both "caught" and "taught."

Christian Maturity

Christian maturity is the "stable and steadfast" living out of biblical wisdom by faith in the power of the Holy Spirit that centers upon and is according to the gospel of Jesus Christ.

In his "Introduction," what does Mathis mean by "the end of effort," and how do we receive "the gift of effort"?

End of means: knowing and enjoying God. Gift of effort: We receive the gift by living out the desire to get more of God through expending effort by reading scripture, praying, or being among his people.

In section II, Ryle considers how authentic Christianity is "the fight of faith." Why should we regard faith as "the very backbone of [our] spiritual existence" (79)? Describe Ryle's portrait of "faith" in this section, highlighting key aspects and examples of how he understands the way that Christians fight with/in "faith."

Faith is the essence of our entire spiritual life. By faith we believe in a God we can't physically see and by faith we trust his promises and his provision. Success in spiritual warfare depends entirely on believing, and it's hard for someone to fight against the world, flesh, and the devil, unless he is sure about what he believes and has specific principles or presuppositions that he lives by and counts on. - There is no such thing as right living without faith and believing: 1. A special faith in our Lord Jesus Christ's person, work, and office - Our sins, weak heart, tempting world, and the devil, leads us to despair but seeing Jesus gives us full confidence to fight on. 2. Habitual lively faith in Christ's presence and readiness to help - The peace of Christ and the ability to be content when we have faith. 3. The examples of faith set by those recorded in the Hebrews Hall of Faith, those martyred for their faith in the early church, and those that led the reformation and made marks on history - The key for all these people was their belief in an unseen Christ and that by faith they lived, and walked, and stood, and overcame. 4. The need to pray for faith - It is a gift of God; and a gift which those who ask shall never ask for in vain.

Biblical Inspiration

It is the supernatural activity of the Holy Spirit to speak through the human authors of Scripture so that what they wrote was what God intended to communicate about his truth and the gospel.

▪ *In "Getting Started," chapter 2 of From the Mouth of God, Ferguson outlines the OT and NT canon that joined together constitutes the one revealed, written Word of God, Holy Scripture. First, identify the threefold shape of the OT canon, and briefly describe their interrelationships. And second, identify the parallel shape of the NT canon, and explain how its writings understand themselves as "the mind of the apostles" alongside (1) the OT Scriptures and (2) intended for a life beyond their first readers.

Old Testament: 1. Law - Moses permanently wrote down what was given to him as a revelation from God. As God had appointed Joshua, he had already given them a written canon. The latter had authority over the former. Responding in faith and obedience had them living in God's blessings, unbelief and disobedience placed their lives outside the sphere of covenant blessing. 2. Prophets - The prophets called God's people back to the covenant privileges and obligations. That they would live according to the divine canon written in the law. The prophets not only foretold but forth-told the Word of God. Faith or unbelief, obedience or disobedience, life or death, blessing or cursing. 3. Writings - Despite differences in authorship, style, type of literature, and time of composition, the same covenant principles given to God's people at Sinai were demonstrated and illustrated in these books. New Testament: The apostles were writing to their first readers, but were not writing only for them. They believed what they were writing carried his authority, and as a part of their commission, they must give God's word to the world until Christ's return. They believed what they said and wrote was to be heard and read as God's word. 1. Paul believed his writings should be read in the church in the same way the Old Testament was read in the Synagogue. - Paul commanded the Thessalonians under oath to read his letters alongside God's word in worship services 2. The test of true spirituality is not the exercise of spiritual gifts, but the recognition that the word of the apostolic letter is also the word of the Lord. - Paul realized the significance of what he himself was writing.

Biblical Sufficiency

Scripture is sufficient in every way to make God known for each successive generation, revealing all that we need for salvation and godliness to live in a manner that pleasing to him by faith.

*In chapter 4, "Do-It-Yourself," Ferguson challenges Christians to be "workmen" in the Scriptures. First, describe the model of a "workman" that he bases upon 2 Timothy 2:15. Next, list some of the "big points" of the "principles of interpretation" that he gleans from The Westminster Confession of Faith. And last, summarize what it means to "read Scripture in the natural sense," noting important cautions he submits while highlighting how this approach to Bible study will keep us from mistreating Scripture as merely a "promise-box" or a compilation of "daily pick-me-ups."

So, according to Paul, Bible study requires hard work (a worker) and a correct approach (rightly handling), involving mental activity (think). That is why our forefathers used to speak about digging into Scripture. Paul is conveying a picture of strenuous effort being made in order to make a straight and reliable pathway into the Bible's message. 1. All we need to know in order to love and glorify God is found in Scripture. 2. Although there are difficult sections in the Bible, all the basics of the Christian faith are clearly and simply stated or can be deduced from Scripture. 3. We are in constant need of the Spirit's help to understand Scripture and apply it. 4. The way in which we come to understand the central teaching of Scripture is by disciplined use of the means God has given us to interpret it. 5. When we read and apply Scripture we should read it in its own terms, and not impose on it what we think it should be saying. 6. Each passage of Scripture has its own basic meaning within its context, not multiple possible (and equally valid) meanings. - Understand meaning within immediate context in a book and wider context within Scripture - Consequences of not reading Scripture in the natural sense include: -When biblical truth is expressed, although not properly derived from the text under examination, no solid foundation undergirds it, and biblical truth is undermined - There are no real controls in this system of interpretation - He has given us Scripture as a whole so that its entire message will become the framework of reference for the rest of our lives. We don't engage in bible study for a quick fix but rather to learn how to think, feel, and act in a way that honors God. They are life-long investments, not pick-me-ups.

Infallibility

The Bible does not lead us astray in matters of faith and practice. • "The idea that the Bible is 'infallible' means that it does not deceive. To say that the Bible is 'inerrant' is to make the additional claim that it does not assert any errors of fact" (Timothy Ward, Words of Life, 130).

Biblical Illumination

The Spirit-inspired nature of the biblical texts leads to the necessity of the same Spirit to grant illumination to what has been "spiritually" revealed (1 Cor 2:6-16; Eph 1:16-18). Illumination not only makes the reading of Scripture effectual, but also it is the means of the Bible's ability to be "self-authenticating/attesting."

Biblical Authority

The authority of Scripture means that all the words in Scripture are God's words in such a way that to disbelieve or disobey any word of Scripture is to disbelieve or disobey God" (BD, 33)

The Gospel-Gap

The gospel-gap is the broken "now" in the "then, now, then gospel". The first then is our conversion and what we remember. The last then is the future hope and the promise. The now or the nowism, is the point between those. This gap is the attempt at the christian life without actually living the Gospel. It makes the Christian life a duty and not a joy in pursuing Christ. This leads to blindness in our identity as children of God and Christ followers. The second area of blindness is to God's provision and to his grace. And the third area of blindness is to God's work in the process and the day by day struggle. All of this and living in this gap subverts our identity in Christ, our understanding of God, and every relationship, decision, and work of ministry to others.

Means of Grace

Ways to experience grace, to take in, given from God, from us expending effort to some extent. "Grace" = principle of divine action or work. This doesn't mean we have to earn this or that activity is equal to achievement.

Give the basic principle for how one can find the "big idea" of the textual meaning of a Book of the Bible.

What is the "big idea" that best explains the most (quantity) and the most important features of the text? -Overall structure, outline, and composition. -Repetition of terms, themes. -Direct purpose statements.