How this website works

HW1 Purpose of this website

The website aims to present a “big picture” of the Bible’s contents. This begins by discovering from the Bible a definition of God’s primary purpose in all of His creation [see 1A3, 5A3]. It then shows from the whole Bible how He has and will accomplish this purpose throughout history. That’s God’s big picture – it’s “His story”!

HW2 Nine Eras of biblical history

I have described all this as happening in nine “eras” of biblical history [see OV6]. Most of these Eras began when God made “covenants” with various people. In each of these God added to what He had already revealed about Himself. He also added permanent positive commitments to people and specified what He required of them.

HW3 The boxes-and-arrows flow charts

The Charts summarise what God did and how people responded in each Era, as recorded in the sections of the Bible shown at the top of each Chart.

There have been various sequences involved (historical, logical and theological). These sequences are shown in the flow Charts as a network of boxes and arrows, as well as by the box numbers.

I suggest you PRINT a set of the Charts for later easy reference when looking at other screens.

HW4 The Charts are in pairs

I have developed a pair of Charts for each Era, Charts A and B.

The “A” Charts outline God’s nature and His provisions for the people of each Era. These are mostly derived from statements either made by God directly or through His messengers such as angels or prophets. Most of the box titles contain the word “God”. Some boxes include God’s instructions (“the rules of the game”) for each Era.

The “B” Charts show how the people in each Era actually responded to God, and the resulting outcomes. These are mostly based on biblical narratives about people in particular historical situations. Those anecdotes represent “how the game actually was, is or will be played” under God’s “rules” for that Era.

HW5 The wording in each box

The Charts highlight the main features, as summarised in each of the Chart boxes. The box numbers are as listed in the INDEX menu.

The wording in the boxes is in two parts. At the top is a title (ending in a colon). Below that is a brief summary, sometimes using numbered sub-headings.

HW6 Explanatory detailed notes and their “labels”

Every box is explained by detailed notes (“posts”). These notes are in sections and sub-sections, each having a heading in bold type.

Every heading begins with a “label” of numbers and letters. These are made up of the Chart number, followed by the box number, then (in brackets) the section and sub-section letters and numbers.

A typical example would be 3A2(c)(ii.i), meaning Chart 3A, box 2, section (c), sub-section (ii.i).

HW7 Finding the Charts and their detailed notes

Each Chart and the explanatory notes for every “box” can be selected from the INDEX menu.

HW8 Connections between boxes as represented by arrows

Only the principal linkages between the boxes are shown. Brief explanations for each arrow are given in the detailed notes.

HW9 Bible verses referred to in the detailed notes

Many Bible verse references are included in the notes. These are shown in green, such as Gen 1:1-4 (this example would refer to Genesis, chapter 1, verses 1 to 4). To read them, place the pointer [or touch your device’s screen] on the Bible reference. The verse(s) will appear in a small “Faithlife RefTagger” window above or below the reference. Often the verses are too long to fit into the window. So they have been broken up into two or more windows (try it now on Gen 1:1-4 and Gen 1:1-2,3-4).

For longer passages the verses cannot all be visible. By clicking on [touching] “more” at the bottom right hand side of the RefTagger window, the whole passage will appear in a new screen. Alternatively, simply click on the Bible reference itself [touch the “back” button to return to the article]. The Bible translation version is also shown at the top right hand side of this screen, with a drop down menu to other Bible translation versions. By again clicking on “read more” in that screen (bottom left hand corner) the verse(s) will be shown in their total biblical setting.

I would urge you to read many of these Bible verses as you work your way through the detailed notes. This will help to keep your thinking “close to the Bible”.

HW10 Footnotes

The reference marks for footnotes are shown superscript, such as.¹

By clicking on a footnote reference mark you will be automatically scrolled down to the footnote. When finished, click on (Return to reading) to scroll back to the paragraph where the footnote is (try it now by clicking on the superscript “1” above).

HW11 Cross-references to other sections or sub-sections

These are included only as convenient “reminders” of where to find further detailed explanations of particular topics. They are shown in square brackets, such as [3A2(c)(ii.i)] for a previous box, or [see 3B24(a)(ii)] for a later box.

They can be viewed by selecting the relevant box number (such as 3A2) from the Index menu. Then read either the whole referenced section or scroll down to the referenced sub-section(s). Then return by using the “back” button.

If you are using a computer, this could be done more easily by opening www.godspurposebible.com again on a second screen (“tab”), and then using the Index menu on that screen.

HW12 Words in quotation marks

These are significant biblical words or phrases and/or theological terms. They are either not in common use or have meanings that are different from their usual sense. The quotation marks are mostly dropped after their first appearance to avoid becoming tedious.

HW13 Words in capital letters or italics

This is to highlight KEY words or to make the emphasis within sentences more obvious.

HW14 Commenting on the Charts and explanations

Under the “Your Comments” menu you can send me emails at any time with your questions, comments and suggestions. For easy reference, please include the label of the relevant section or sub-section.

FOOTNOTES

1. You got it! (Return to reading).