Bible, The, I-III Introduction
Names and Designations
The word "Bible" comes from the Greek "biblia," meaning "books," derived from "biblos," the inner bark of the papyrus plant used for writing. The phrase "the books" appears in Daniel 9:2 (Septuagint) for prophetic writings, and by the 5th century AD, the term had been extended to cover all of Scripture. Other designations include "the Scriptures" (Matthew 21:42; John 5:39), "the Holy Scriptures" (Romans 1:2; 2 Timothy 3:15), "the Law and the Prophets" (Matthew 5:17; 7:12), and "the Word of God" (Hebrews 4:12). Jerome called the Bible "the Divine Library," capturing its nature as a collection of diverse books united by a single divine Author. The division into "Old Testament" and "New Testament" reflects the two covenants — the old covenant mediated through Moses and the new covenant established by Christ (2 Corinthians 3:14; Hebrews 8:6-13).
Languages and Composition
The Bible was written in three languages. The Old Testament is primarily in Hebrew, with portions of Daniel (2:4-7:28) and Ezra (4:8-6:18; 7:12-26) in Aramaic. The New Testament was written entirely in Greek — not the classical Greek of literature but the common Greek (Koine) spoken throughout the Mediterranean world after Alexander's conquests. This linguistic diversity reflects the Bible's historical development: Hebrew was the language of ancient Israel, Aramaic became the common tongue during and after the exile, and Greek was the universal language of the Roman Empire. The Bible was composed over approximately 1,500 years by more than 40 authors from diverse backgrounds — kings, shepherds, fishermen, priests, tax collectors, physicians, and tentmakers.
The Old Testament Canon
The Jewish Bible, identical in content to the Protestant Old Testament though arranged differently, consists of 39 books divided into the Torah (Law), Nevi'im (Prophets), and Ketuvim (Writings) — collectively called the Tanakh. The Torah (Genesis through Deuteronomy) forms the foundational core. The Prophets include both the historical books (Joshua through 2 Kings, excluding Ruth) and the prophetic books (Isaiah through Malachi, excluding Daniel and Lamentations). The Writings contain the remaining books, including Psalms, Proverbs, Job, the Five Scrolls, Daniel, Ezra-Nehemiah, and Chronicles. The Old Testament grew through a long process of writing, collection, and recognition, with the Torah established earliest and the Writings finalized latest. Jesus affirmed this three-part division when He spoke of "the Law of Moses, the Prophets, and the Psalms" (Luke 24:44).
The New Testament Canon
The New Testament contains 27 books: four Gospels, the Acts of the Apostles, 21 epistles, and the book of Revelation. The Gospels preserve the words and deeds of Jesus. Acts narrates the early church's growth from Jerusalem to Rome. Paul's 13 epistles address theological questions and practical issues in the churches he founded or knew. The remaining epistles (Hebrews, James, 1-2 Peter, 1-3 John, Jude) provide additional apostolic teaching. Revelation presents the apocalyptic vision of Christ's final triumph. The New Testament canon was recognized gradually, with the core collection (Gospels, major Pauline epistles) accepted universally from earliest times. Disputed books like Hebrews, James, 2 Peter, 2-3 John, Jude, and Revelation achieved universal recognition by the 4th century, as reflected in Athanasius' Easter letter of AD 367.
Unity and Purpose
Despite its diversity of authors, genres, and historical settings, the Bible displays a remarkable unity of theme and purpose. Its overarching narrative moves from creation (Genesis 1-2) through the fall (Genesis 3), the calling of Abraham and formation of Israel, the coming of Christ as Redeemer, the birth of the church, and the ultimate consummation of all things in the new creation (Revelation 21-22). The central theme is God's plan to redeem humanity and restore His creation. This unity is best explained by the Bible's own claim that "all Scripture is God-breathed" (2 Timothy 3:16) — that behind the many human authors stands one divine Author who guided the entire process. As Hebrews 1:1-2 summarizes: "In the past God spoke to our ancestors through the prophets at many times and in various ways, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son."
Historical Influence
The Bible is the most translated, published, and influential book in human history. It has shaped Western civilization's concepts of law, ethics, human rights, education, literature, and art. It has been translated into over 3,000 languages. The development of the printing press was driven in large part by the desire to make the Bible widely available. Its narratives and teachings have inspired countless works of art, music, and literature, and its moral framework has undergirded legal systems around the world. More importantly for the believer, the Bible continues to function as the living Word of God, "sharper than any double-edged sword" (Hebrews 4:12), capable of transforming lives and communities across every culture and generation.
Biblical Context
The Bible is self-referencing: Old Testament authors cite earlier Scripture (e.g., Daniel 9:2 citing Jeremiah), and New Testament authors quote the Old Testament extensively. Jesus affirmed the authority of Scripture (Matthew 5:17-18; John 10:35; Luke 24:44). Paul declared all Scripture God-breathed (2 Timothy 3:16). Peter placed Paul's letters alongside 'the other Scriptures' (2 Peter 3:15-16). The Bible's own testimony presents it as a unified, divinely inspired collection.
Theological Significance
The Bible is the foundational authority for Christian faith and practice. It reveals God's character, purposes, and redemptive plan. It provides the only reliable account of Christ's life, death, and resurrection. It serves as the standard against which all teaching and experience are measured. The doctrine of inspiration affirms that God so directed the human authors that the result is both fully human and fully divine in its origin. The Bible's unity across centuries and cultures testifies to its supernatural origin.
Historical Background
The earliest biblical manuscripts include the Dead Sea Scrolls (3rd century BC - 1st century AD) for the Old Testament and papyrus fragments dating to the early 2nd century AD for the New Testament. The Septuagint (Greek translation of the Old Testament, begun around 250 BC) played a crucial role in early Christianity. Jerome's Latin Vulgate (late 4th century) became the standard Western Bible for a millennium. The invention of printing (1450s) and the Reformation fueled translation into vernacular languages. The King James Version (1611) and subsequent revisions have been among the most influential English translations.