The Bible's Christocentric Structure

As Christians, we read, interpret and apply the Bible through the lens of Jesus Christ. Below you will read an excellent statement made by Norman Geisler about how all the various genres of Scripture, i.e. the types of literature, address Jesus Christ.

In the law we find the foundation for Christ. In History we find the preparation for Christ. In Poetry we find the aspiration for Christ. In the Prophets we find the expectation of Christ. In the Gospels we find the manifestation of Christ. In Acts we find the propagation of Christ. In the Epistles we find the interpretation of Christ. In Revelation we find the consummation in Christ.

Norman Geisler, To Understand the Bible, Look for Jesus (Grand Rapids: Baker, 1968), 83.

In this work below, Geisler puts his statement above in a grid, which rightly affirms the Christocentric structure of all the Bible.

the Bible may be cast into the following overall Christocentric structure:

Structure of the Bible

Old Testament Law Foundation for Christ

History Preparation for Christ

Poetry Aspiration for Christ

Prophecy Expectation of Christ

New Testament Gospels Manifestation of Christ

Acts Propagation of Christ

Epistles Interpretation and Application of Christ

Revelation Consummation in Christ

Although there is no divinely authoritative basis for viewing the Bible in an eightfold structure, the Christians insistence that the Scriptures be understood Christocentrically is firmly based on the teachings of Christ. Some five times in the New Testament, Jesus affirmed Himself to be the theme of the Old Testament Scripture (Matt. 5:17; Luke 24:27, 44; John 5:39; Heb. 10:7). In view of these statements, it is natural to view the eightfold topical arrangement of Scripture in terms of its one theme – Christ.

Norman L. Geisler and William E. Nix, From God To Us: How We Got Our Bible, revised and expanded (Chicago: Moody, 2012), 15.

As Paul wrote, “For all the promises of God find their Yes in him. That is why it is through him that we utter our Amen to God for his glory” (2 Cor. 1:20). Reading, interpreting and applying the Word through Jesus Christ is a unique means by and through which Christians bring glory to God the Father. As you read Scripture in a Christocentric manner, we join in saying, “Amen to God for his glory!”