The first Christians had no Bibles at all. In fact, the New Testament had not yet been written, and many years would go by before it was compiled. Even then, the average Christian did not have a personal Bible at all. Though the first Christians did not have a Bible, they did have a message about Christ, and it was enough for them. And as it turns out, it’s enough for us as well.

I am obviously not against the Bible – we are blessed to have it. But its proper purpose is simply to point us toward Christ and to convey the central message about him that is essential and fundamental. What is the f...