How Did We Get the Bible?
The Bible, a collection of 66 diverse books, has played a pivotal role in shaping human history, literature, and religion. Its origins are rooted in divine inspiration and human authorship, a fascinating story of God's revelation to humanity.
Divine Inspiration and Human Agency
The Bible is primarily attributed to God, its author, whose breath inspired its words. However, He entrusted the task of conveying His message to human authors over millennia. These individuals, with their unique perspectives and writing styles, penned God's Word into their own language, creating a rich tapestry of literary works.
Assembling the Canon
The process of selecting and recognizing the books of the Bible as authoritative, known as canonization, did not arise from human decisions. The books gradually gained acceptance as God-inspired based on their content, alignment with existing Scriptures, and recognition by the early Church.
Old Testament Canonization:
The Jews of Jesus's time recognized 39 books as authoritative, divided into three categories: the Law of Moses, the Prophets, and the Psalms. Jesus himself validated their authenticity.
New Testament Canonization:
As the story of Jesus unfolded and the Church expanded, apostolic writings emerged that were recognized as divinely inspired. Through examination and discussion in early church councils, their inclusion in the Bible was finalized.
Preservation and Protection
Despite attempts to introduce heretical writings, the early Church diligently guarded the integrity of the Biblical canon. God's grace has preserved the Bible's words, ensuring that humanity can still hear His voice as it was originally spoken.
How was the Bible originally written?
God, through His breath, inspired human authors to write the Bible.
Who wrote the Bible?
God is the primary author of the Bible, while over 40 human authors wrote the different books over several millennia.
How was the Bible canon determined?
The Bible's canon was not determined by any arbitrary decisions but rather by the recognition of God's inspiration within the books based on their content, coherence, and acceptance by the early Church.
How was the Old Testament canonized?
The Old Testament canon was established during Jesus's time, with 39 books recognized as authoritative by the Jews.
How was the New Testament canonized?
The New Testament canon was gradually recognized and accepted through discussions and examinations in early church councils.
Was the Bible always in written form?
Initially, God's words were spoken utterances. Later, they were written down by human authors, starting with Moses.
How were the Gospels written?
The Gospels were written by eyewitnesses and recorded under the guidance of the Holy Spirit after Jesus's death and resurrection.
How was the Bible translated?
The Bible was translated into various languages, including Latin, Aramaic, and English, by faithful scribes. Modern English Bibles are translated from early manuscripts.
