Is the focus on God or on humanity? Introduction The central question of whether the focus is on God or on humanity has engaged readers of Scripture throughout the centuries. When examining the biblical narrative, the consistent thread woven from Genesis to Revelation points to a God-centered focus. At the same time, the Bible clearly addresses human experiences, obligations, and destinies within that larger divine framework. The question arises because the Scriptures extensively describe relationships, moral instructions, and outcomes for people, yet they also continually emphasize God’s sovereignty, holiness, and redemptive plan for creation. Below is a comprehensive exploration of this topic, taking into account biblical passages, theological insights, and supporting evidence from both textual scholarship and various disciplines. The Theocentric Nature of Scripture Throughout Scripture, God is portrayed as the ultimate source and focus of all things. One of the most direct expressions of this comes from Romans 11:36: “For from Him and through Him and to Him are all things. To Him be the glory forever! Amen.” This theocentric—or God-centered—emphasis is evident in key moments: • Creation: “In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth” (Genesis 1:1). The opening verse positions God as the Creator, establishing Him at the forefront of the entire biblical narrative. • Worship: Numerous passages instruct worshipers to direct praise solely toward God. In Psalm 29:2, the call is “Ascribe to the LORD the glory due His name; worship the LORD in the splendor of His holiness.” • Christ’s Preeminence: In Colossians 1:17–18, the apostle Paul writes of Christ, “He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together… so that in all things He may have preeminence.” This emphasizes the supremacy of the Son, who is one with the Father. Across the biblical record, the narrative keeps returning to the idea that God’s character, glory, and purposes form the core of everything that exists. Humanity’s Relationship to the Divine Despite the theocentric focus, Scripture also unfolds the significant role of humanity. Humans are uniquely made in the image of God (Genesis 1:27) and entrusted with responsibilities such as stewardship over creation (Genesis 1:28). However, even these responsibilities, which might seem human-centered, are given within the context of honoring and obeying God. • Dependence on God: Acts 17:28 affirms, “For in Him we live and move and have our being.” Human life can only be rightly understood with an awareness of utter dependence on the Creator. • Salvation Plan: God’s redemptive work—culminating in the death and resurrection of Christ—is indeed aimed at saving humanity (John 3:16). Yet the reason given is not merely for human comfort, but for displaying the riches of God’s grace (Ephesians 2:7). • Purpose of Existence: 1 Corinthians 10:31 captures the interplay between human agency and divine exaltation: “So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all to the glory of God.” People are invited to participate in reflecting that glory through their everyday lives. In all these ways, the Bible presents an intertwined dynamic: God is supreme, yet He brings humanity into fellowship with Himself to reveal His character and fulfill His redemptive plan. Clarifying Roles in Redemptive History Biblically, God’s grand narrative involves the unfolding of events that highlight His attributes—namely holiness, love, and justice—while drawing humanity toward repentance and worship. Key elements of redemptive history help clarify why the focus must remain on God: • Promises to the Patriarchs: Passages such as Genesis 12:1–3 show God selecting Abraham to bless “all the families of the earth.” Although humanity receives the blessing, it is God’s promise, power, and purpose at work. • The Law and Prophets: The giving of the Law at Sinai (Exodus 20) and the ministry of the prophets in Israel highlight human failure to uphold God’s righteous standard, pointing back to dependence on God for restoration. • The Messiah’s Mission: Central to the New Testament is Jesus Christ, who fulfills Old Testament prophecies (e.g., Isaiah 53). His life, crucifixion, and resurrection form the watershed moment in redemptive history. Although humanity gains salvation, the miracle testifies to the power and lordship of God. In every stage of this progression, the events serve to underscore God’s glory and faithfulness, rather than elevate human accomplishments. Evidence from Scripture and Beyond Though this question deals chiefly with theological and philosophical concerns, additional support comes from multiple lines of evidence: • Textual Consistency: Manuscript evidence such as the Dead Sea Scrolls demonstrates the remarkable fidelity with which the biblical text has been transmitted. This underscores the reliability of the message that consistently directs worship and obedience toward God. • Archaeological Corroboration: Discoveries like the Tel Dan Stele (bearing a reference to the “House of David”) substantiate historical details in Scripture, backing the accounts that present God’s covenant with Israel. • Philosophical Reasoning: Philosophically, grounding morality, purpose, and ultimate meaning in a transcendent God explains both the moral imperatives and existential searching woven into the human experience. • Structure of Worship: From ancient tabernacle worship to early Christian congregations, the consistent pattern is for people to assemble in a manner that exalts God, reflecting a God-centered practice rather than a purely human-focused gathering. These evidences, whether textual, archaeological, or philosophical, inform our understanding that Scripture, in all its expressions, points back to the Creator rather than centering on the creation. Concluding Thoughts The overarching testimony of Scripture is that the narrative is primarily about the character, work, and glory of God. Humanity is far from forgotten; we are essential participants in God’s grand design, recipients of His grace, and bearers of His image. Nonetheless, the Bible draws every occurrence—whether creation, covenant, prophecy, or salvation—back to the Lord as the ultimate focus. While human flourishing, moral living, and personal salvation are integral themes, they are episodes within the greater purpose of bringing honor to God. Or, as stated succinctly in Psalm 115:1: “Not to us, O LORD, not to us, but to Your name be the glory, because of Your loving devotion, because of Your faithfulness.” The message remains consistent: The One who created, redeemed, and sustains is worthy of all praise, and though humanity greatly benefits, the biblical emphasis rests on God’s majesty from beginning to end. |
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