The Bible is a book of religion, not a book of theology. The questions which the Hebrew mind asked were questions of religion, not of theology. Let us recur to Max Müller's definition of religion: “Religion consists in the perception of the Infinite under such manifestations as are able to influence the moral character of man.” The Hebrew prophets, then, sought for such a perception of the Infinite as would influence the moral character of those to whom they spoke. They did not ask the question, What is God? but, What is the way to Him? Nor, What is the nature of sin? but, How shall we get rid of it? Nor, What is the origin of pain? but, How shall we make a true spiritual use of it? The Bible accordingly contains few or no definitions. None of God, unless “God is love” be regarded as a definition; none of sin, unless “Sin is lawlessness” be regarded as a definition; none of faith, unless “Faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen,” be regarded as a definition; and absolutely none of atonement, regeneration, the forgiveness of sin, the nature of Christ, or the divine attributes.

The book of Job, if not in authorship the oldest in the Bible, undoubtedly represents the earliest religious life. It is a picture of Hebraic thought in its beginnings.