In another internet forum someone asked the hypothetical question of “What three Biblical books best encapsulates the message of the Bible?”
Now of course we can’t make the all the books in the Bible forced into three books; there’s a sense we can do injustice to the richness of God’s revelations in terms of each book being a masterpiece of literature, doctrinal gold, etc. But I thought it was still good exercise since it makes me think about what three books I should eventually preach and teach through as a Pastor over the course of decades of ministry in order to best capture the main thrust of all of Scripture.
Here’s my answer which was expanded from my original comment:
If I really have to pick three books only I would pick Matthew, Romans, Hebrews.
Incidentally Matthew quotes the most from the Old Testament more than the other Gospels. The Gospel of Matthew in describing the life, works and death of Jesus doesn’t want the readers who were originally largely Jewish to forget the point that Jesus is the culmination historically of Redemptive history and OT expectation, prophecies and narrative. Likewise Romans quotes more from the Old Testament compared to other Pauline epistles. Romans of course shows the depth of God’s work in bringing about our salvation. Yet this work is something that was already a part of God’s plan even back in the era of the Old Testament as the citations and Paul’s arguments in the book makes clear. I also mention the Epistles to the Hebrews and I put this on the list because it also quotes a lot from the Old Testament. The purpose of the book is to argue for the supremacy of Christ in contrast to Old Testament religious systems; furthermore the book also argues how Old Testament religious institutions anticipated Christ! It would make sense that if we are looking for three books in the Bible that summarize the rest of the Scriptures best we look for the books that cite the most Old Testament.
Also the theme of these three books are important.
Jesus’ earthly life and ministry is important. So is His death, burial and resurrection. But we must interpret this in light of antecedent theology from the Old Testament. Hence we need the Gospel of Matthew.
Salvation is important and hence Romans is important. Romans is probably the most deepest in-depth look at our salvation than any other book!
Hebrews main theme is the supremacy of Christ. We must not forget that lest we fall away. Also in the book of Hebrews there is a theme of not falling away where sober warnings occur in this book. It is no wonder that the antidote is brought into the picture: Christ and the focus of the supremacy of Christ compared to everything else!
What three books would you pick?
The Domain for Truth 
That’s such a hard question! I would scale it down to three stories… the story of Creation, because that tells us why we’re here. Then the story of Jesus birth, death, and resurrection – because they show we have a Saviour, a hope, and victory over death.
So really, that’s four stories… or only two (if you count the life of Jesus as all one saga)… When you know where humanity comes from and where we’re going (that yes, there is an afterlife, and that you have a Savior to turn to for hope),it helps with a lot of the other unanswered questions and burdens life will bring you.
I like how you referenced creation (Genesis). Sounds like you are going for Creation, Fall Redemption motif!
Good one! It would be hard but I think you have a good point about adding Creation! Thanks for sharing your thoughts and interacting with others on here, may the Lord bless you.
If I REALLY had to pick three? Absolutely Genesis, God’s glory in creation can never be overstated. Next, the book of John, the Savior and Deliverer comes and third – Revelation – He’s coming back as King in glory for all to see!!
Revelation… when you’re in the mood for sci-fi, most certainly
You are the second person that picked Genesis. I like your picks: Genesis, John and Revelation. With these three books you see the Lord as Creating King (Creation and creating a people for Himself), a humble delivering King (God becoming man to save us!) and a coming glorious King (Second Coming and New Heaven and New Earth). That was very beautiful Lisa, thank you for sharing and may the Lord bless your day.
I am thinking John, to show the Deity of Christ and Romans and Hebrews as you have stated.
There’s four people commenting that picked the Gospel of John and you were the first to mentioned that. Good point sister. I hope you have a blessed Day!
Glory to God… many comments which God is using to stir our hearts. Thanks for posting!
Reblogged this on Logos Speaks.
I agree with BeholdingHimMinistries. John makes crystal clear the man and deity of Jesus Christ as fully both.:)
Seems like the book of John is the most popular choice from everyone’s comments on here. You were the second to mention the Gospel of John. I’m blessed to see your thoughts on this. Also thank you for reblogging this post sister.
You are welcome.:))
Hi Jim, I would have picked the Gospel of John, Romans and Hebrews. John because I find it speaks to the heart, Romans because it speaks of the inner struggle and Hebrews because it is my pep rally, I always find reading Hebrews extremely lifting. One doesn’t appreciate what would be missed until you have to pick only three. It’s like saying “what three teeth would you like to keep?” Grace and blessings my friend.
These were my three choices as well…
Hebrews (13??) is like a pep rally on faith
I would add John too.
Good question and I like your reasons why you chose those three books. I would also choose Hebrews as one of my three. For me, it was the final straw that caused me to leave Catholicism with its clear teaching regarding the end of human priests and sacrifice for sin through the finished work of Jesus. Also, the Gospel of John with its emphasis on Jesus’ deity. Finally, the book of Ruth. This little book resonates with me with its tender foreshadowing of Jesus as our kinsman redeemer.
Wow your pick of the book of Ruth is different than others who commented. But I can see what you are talking about! I am glad the Lord used the book of Hebrews at a critical point in becoming Born Again and saved. We are saved by the Redeeming Work of Christ and not by rites, regulations and rituals! Preach it!
What a difference to have Christ as my Shepherd and the Bible as my standard rather than deviant priests and their endless sacrifices.
There is the sin of adding to and or taking way from scripture. Far to many desire to remake Christianity in their own image. This is done by allegorizing God creating a literal Adam and the literal original sin and fall of Adam and thus all humanity. This deletion, or taking away, mocks and negates the need for a redeemer. Then they promote self justification via good deeds, thus adding to the scriptures.
that is why I would include Genesis as an essential book. The biblical account of God man sin and salvation only make sense if the original sin is true. This also is the sin of narcissism which proudly seeks to take the focus off of Jesus and onto themselves. This is nothing less than idolatry of self worship.
I love what you shared here about Genesis, sin, salvation and believing God’s word
The Gospel of Matthew has been called: The Christian Torah.
1 John, James, Matthew.
Not sure if they best encapsulate the Bible but they are my go to books.
I wasn’t trying to say you are wrong, btw, just saying what books I would pick. I actually like the reasons you chose the books you did.
Those books are good; what are the reasons you would pick those books? By the way don’t worry about offending me James as there’s no wrong answer here and its hard to narrow it down to three! Want to know your explanation for those three as I think your explanations would be edifying.
Without question Genesis no. 1; without the seed, nothing else is relevant, you have creation, God’s glory, the stars above, sun and moon giving heat and light, animals, flora, fauna, man, woman, male, female, (after their kinds) TRUE SCIENCE lays the foundation; the first man as being real, historical, actual, and confirmed by Christ and Paul, the genealogies, the call of Noah, sin, judgment, the call of Israel, the promises, the covenants, and promises confirmed time and time again.
2nd, the book of John which presents the promised one of Genesis, as the eternal I am, and Word of God, who expressed the love of God.
3rd, Jonah, as the sent ‘ones’ after receiving all the emolument of God’s blessing, the word to evangelize.
I suppose there are not really three choices which could be ‘better’ than others, but these get my votes, but all scripture is profitable of course!
Thank you for your thoughts! As I grow as a Christian I see more and more the importance of the book of Genesis especially with laying the foundation for the search for the Messianic “seed.” Good one! Have you written posts on the Messianic seeds on your blog?
Tkx jim. Per your request, here is something close, the second post of 5 in that series is more to your point. (link at bottom of each)
https://thelionsden98.wordpress.com/the-anvil-of-time/scientists-who-believe/the-book-of-romans/
I think my choices would vary, depending on who I would be witnessing to. The first two would be Genesis and The Gospel According to John. Genesis: “In the beginning, God Created The Heavens and the earth.” John: “In the beginning was The Word, and The Word was with God, and The Word Was God.” For the third (and just off the top of my head), would be Romans because (if memory serves) it was written to gentiles. On the other hand, the third could be Hebrews because (if memory serves) it was written to Jewish people. If I researched a bit more, I might change my mind, but These Books are my first impressions.
Thanks for sharing RG. This exercise actually makes me appreciate the Bible, that it wasn’t just three books God has given us in His Encyclopedia of Written Revelation. Hearing what you have to share and that of others made me realize the richness of the book of the Bible and how it has been a blessing to others and also how wonderful it is. I’m sure you must have felt the same way reading the comments on here!
I did! It was enlightening to see the different perspectives on The Scriptures.
smart selection
What books would you have picked Beverly? Would like to hear what you think!
My fav. verse is in Romans so I’ll start there. Romans 8:28. We put that on my sons grave marker.
Great discussion. I am going to go with
The Gospel of John. Deep, yet simple enough one who has never read the Bible can get it. I like to send people to it to start in fact.
Hebrews for all the reasons already listed.
The Book of James. Being ever practical and pragmatic, I am all about the application of God’s Word in real life.
I know you have done a series on your blog on James, have you done something on John? Trying to remember…
I have not. Maybe some day!
Good discussions on here!
Genesis will be the first book I would pick…without the beginning the rest crumbles. The book of Romans would be my second choice as it encapsulates wilful sin against a Holy God, His Sovereignty over His creation, Judgement and His love and forgiveness, my third choice, the Revelation of Jesus Christ, in the last book we see the culmination of God’s will for creation, the covenant promise given throughout Scripture from the beginning – “I will be your God and you will be my people” –
Thanks for sharing Crissy! I don’t know if you seen the others comments but I t seems Genesis, Romans and Revelation were popular picks by others too. How was evangelism?
Interesting isn’t it? Referring to the books we picked.😃
Evangelism went well. We have seen God’s power at work so many times.
Very interesting! How about the Gospel According to Luke?
Good pick pastor! Have a blessed New Year!
Thanks. Happy new year.
Interesting question!