The Rhapsody of Scripture
The word rhapsody has a variety of meanings. In Greek it meant an epic poem, or a concert with a variety of songs. It also means a “miscellany,” “a collection of various, different ideas, collected in a book.” In music, a rhapsody is “an instrumental composition of free irregular form, loosely tied together, suggesting improvisation.”
When I say the “Rhapsody of the Bible,” I mean all of those gathered into one. The Holy Scriptures are a collection of various ideas in one book. The Bible is also a composition “in irregular form” (no two books are alike). It has a hint of improvisation as it goes along, under one major theme, of course.
Holy Bible means Holy Books. Contrary to some opinions they do not appear to have been dictated. They were written by scores of men responding to God’s presence in the time they wrote. There were plentiful variations, occasional contradictions, surely a variety of emphasis. Each author was inspired by the Scriptures of God; each supports the Theme.
There is one major theme which is often stated and returned to. Some say there is more than one theme, even a dozen or so. My way to say it is that the Bible is a book about what God can do for man, man and woman. He made the earth and gave it to His created Images, to have dominion over it. He made His children to communicate with Him. Otherwise they could never be happy, “Restless until they find their rest in him.” Let’s look at the books together.
