Paper with ink, assembled as pages in a book sitting on a shelf. The object of vitriol in my freshman philosophy class. A keepsake on Grandma’s table. Something I see people reading at Starbucks. An option to download in the app store. A prop the TV preacher uses as he asks me to send him money.
Just what is the Bible?
The Bible is a book composed of sixty-six separate books, divided into two major sections (Old Testament and New Testament), and subdivided into chapters and verses.1 It was written by about forty people from three continents over a 1,600-year period long ago (1500 bc–ad 100). Originally composed in three languages—Hebrew (OT), Greek (NT), and Aramaic (small sections)—it has been translated into all major languages and is perennially the bestselling book in the world (although left off of some lists).
Just what is the Bible?
AS TO SOURCE, THE BIBLE IS GOD’S MIND IN HUMAN WORDS
The words in this article originated in a man’s mind—except the Bible verses. Those came from the eternal well of wisdom residing in God (Romans 11:33). The Bible is a “God-breathed” (inspired) book: “All Scripture is given by inspiration of God” (2 Timothy 3:16). John Barth observed, “The Bible is not man’s word about God, but God’s word about man.”2 Its words proceed from God’s mouth (Matthew 4:4; 1 Thessalonians 2:13; 1 Corinthians 2:9–13). It differs from every other book because its Author differs from every other author.
God gave His words to human penmen assigned to write for Him. “Holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit” (2 Peter 1:21). Bible writers did not use words of man’s wisdom, but words the Holy Spirit gave (1 Corinthians 2:13). It claims to be the “word of God” (or similar3) more than 350 times (Exodus 20:1; Matthew 15:3–6). Century after century, men recorded more parts of this book, sometimes unaware of one another’s writings and sometimes in the dark as to what their own words meant (1 Peter 1:10–12).4
The three sources of acquired human knowledge are reason, experience, and revelation. Divine revelation is superior to reason and experience because it is infallible.5 The Bible substantiates this claim. “The law of the Lord is perfect” (Psalm 19:7). It is tried, tested, proven. God makes no mistakes, and He cannot lie (Titus 1:2). His word is holy, righteous, and good (Psalm 111:7; Romans 7:12).
While the Enlightenment (1685–1815) taught skepticism of absolute truth and claimed ancient religious instructions were not valuable for modern man, philosophy has shown that, regardless of how advanced the world becomes (or how primitively humans treat one another), basic humanity does not change. Humans all have in common a search for understanding (past), meaning (present), and direction (future). This makes the Bible invaluable, for it is the only book that gives all three.
- Past: Man was created in the image of a loving God (Genesis 1:27).
- Present: Life’s purpose is to glorify, praise, and prepare to meet God (1 Corinthians 10:31; 1 Peter 2:9).
- Future: Man can live in heaven with God forever (John 14:1–2; cf. Hebrews 9:27; Acts 17:30–31).
The key to this understanding, of course, is inspiration. If an eternal, transcendent God wrote a book, it would remain both timely and transformative. It would always be up-to-date and meet current needs. It would cover human life so completely that no amendments would ever be needed. It would promote every virtue and denounce every vice. Following its precepts would lead to happiness, and ignoring its warnings to sorrow. This is exactly true of the Bible. The Enlightenment principle was correct about other religious books—ancient or modern. They have nothing to offer because they are not from God. Being inspired, the Bible does.
AS TO CONTENT, THE BIBLE IS THE COMPLETE STORY OF JESUS IN EVERY LANGUAGE
Jesus said that the Bible was about Him (John 5:39). He is found in every Old Testament book; He is the theme of every New Testament book. Across the Old Testament could be written, “He is coming.” “He is here” is what the New Testament’s first eighty-nine chapters are about. These passages record His marvelous birth, life, words, miracles, death, burial, and resurrection. Acts declares, “He has returned to heaven.” The epistles (Romans–Jude) teach preparation for His return. Revelation says we can live with Him forever in heaven.
His last recorded words on earth instructed His followers to tell everybody the good news (gospel) that salvation had come to humanity: “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature. He who believes and is baptized will be saved” (Mark 16:15–16).
Looked at this way, the Bible is a love letter from Jesus. One observed, “The Bible is the only book where the Author is in love with the reader.”6 Scripture is a story of a Creator who made man for a relationship, but man’s sin separated them (Genesis 1–3). With undaunted love, God provided a way of restoration (Jesus), at great cost to Himself (Romans 3:23–26). Jesus came to live among that fallen creation and to die miserably in its place (John 1:14). While there are differences in circumstances, culture, economic levels, political situations, and lifestyles, Jesus loves all (Ephesians 3:17–19; 1 John 4:8). Love letters are quickly read and long cherished. Have you read Jesus’ love letter to you?
AS TO FUNCTION, IT IS THE HOLY SPIRIT’S TOOLBOX IN THE PUBLIC DOMAIN
The Bible is more than a collection of inspired books. The word of God is the sword of the Spirit (Ephesians 6:17). The Bible is how the Holy Spirit works on humans. Many preachers promote an intuition-based, Spirit-led concept. This is confusing, subjective, and inaccurate. It ascribes to the Spirit that which originates in human feelings, conscience, circumstances, and thought. The Spirit does not leave His work to such confusion (1 Corinthians 14:33, 40). He works through the objective (same for everybody) Word. The weapons of His warfare are not carnal—they are spiritual (2 Corinthians 10:4). This is suitable to the Spirit’s nature and to the spiritual work being done. The living voice of God’s Spirit speaks through the Bible’s pages. Justin Peters wrote, “Want to hear God speak? Read your Bible. Want to hear God speak audibly? Read your Bible out loud.”7
Since the Spirit speaks through the Word, the Bible is the world’s only living book. It is a seed; it has life in it (Luke 8:15; 1 Peter 1:23). It is “living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword… and is a discerner of thoughts and intents of the heart” (Hebrews 4:12). The Bible is not a sacred object to be enshrined; it is holy ground to be traversed. The Bible is the only book whose Author is always with the reader.
As God’s book, the Bible is the most powerful book ever written. The gospel is “the power of God to salvation” (Romans 1:16). God’s spoken words were powerful enough to originate all material things (Genesis 1:3, 6, 26); His written words are powerful enough to originate all spiritual life. The implanted word saves souls (James 1:21). The word of God’s grace builds up and gives an inheritance (Acts 20:32). (The word translated “is able” in James 1:21 and Acts 20:32 is the verb form of “power” in Romans 1:16.)
The Bible’s power is seen in its ability to change lives. It is the devil’s nemesis (Matthew 4:1–11). D. L. Moody wrote, “The Bible was not given for our information but for our transformation.”8 By God’s power, Saul of Tarsus went from persecutor to preacher (Acts 9; 1 Timothy 1:13–15); the Corinthians moved from immoral to holy (1 Corinthians 6:9–11); and Ephesian polytheistic pagans became monotheistic Christians.
Atheism does not have that effect on people. No one ever said, “I used to be an addict, a drunk, a gambler, and a womanizer, but after reading Charles Darwin’s Origin of Species or Robert Ingersoll’s Mistakes of Moses, I am a changed man.” Yet lives are radically changed when the Bible is read, believed, and followed (1 Corinthians 1:17–18).
Bible instructions must be mixed with faith to work (Hebrews 4:2; 1 Corinthians 2:14). Scripture comes alive when read, studied, and put into action (James 2:14– 18). For the Bible to change us, we must:
- Read it. This produces faith in a sincere heart (Romans 10:17; Luke 8:15). On the last day, Jesus may well ask, “Have you never read the Scriptures?” (Matthew 21:42). Paul told Timothy, “Give attention to reading” (1 Timothy 4:13). John said, “Blessed is he who reads” (Revelation 1:3).
- Understand it. To profit by it, we must grasp the meaning of Scripture (Proverbs 4:5, 7; Acts 8:30–31; 1 Thessalonians 5:21–22; Hebrews 13:9). The devil steals the Word from those who do not understand it (Matthew 13:19). The goal is not to have a Bible collection on your shelf, but a collection of the Bible stored up in yourself.9
- Follow it. Moses advised, “Be careful to do as the Lord your God has commanded you; you shall not turn aside to the right hand or to the left” (Deuteronomy 5:32). In the New Testament, those who heard, believed, repented, confessed, and were baptized were forgiven and added to the church (Acts 2:36–38, 41, 47; 8:5–12, 35–39; 1 Corinthians 12:13).
AS TO PURPOSE, THE BIBLE IS MAN’S MAP TO HEAVEN
We were born traveling. We are sojourners and strangers (Psalm 119:19)—pilgrims heading to a promised land (1 Peter 2:11).
Journeys require destinations and directions. Heaven is man’s destination. Where is the map? When Thomas asked, “How can we know the way?” (John 14:5), Jesus explained, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me” (14:6). Jesus is the way to heaven; the Bible contains His directions. Moses told the Israelites to take to heart “all the words which I testify among you,” because the law “is your life” (Deuteronomy 32:46–47). The way to prosperity and success is to meditate on the word and obey it (Joshua 1:7–8).
Galileo Galilei (1564–1642) said, “The Bible shows the way to go to heaven, not the way the heavens go.”10 When NASA was putting a man on the moon (July 16, 1969), if an astronaut had said, “I know the way. The moon is straight up. I do not need a map,” others would have laughed at him. If we fail to consult Jesus’ map, or ignore it, then we are being equally foolish. Without it, we will wander aimlessly lost through life and end up at the wrong place (Isaiah 55:1–9; Matthew 7:13–14). However, by simply reading and heeding the Bible, we can know the way to heaven (Luke 10:26).
The Bible lights man’s path through darkness. “Your word is a lamp to my feet, and a light to my path” (Psalm 119:105; cf. 119:130). It has the secret to a good life (1 Peter 3:10). It allows the man of God to be “thoroughly equipped for every work” (2 Timothy 3:17). Scripture is profitable for
- doctrine (what is right),
- reproof (what is not right),
- correction (how to get right),
- instruction in righteousness (how to stay right) (2 Timothy 3:16).
The King James Version translators wrote (in the 1611 long preface), “If we are ignorant, the Scriptures will instruct us; if out of the way, they will bring us home; if out of order, they will reform us; if in heaviness, they will comfort us; if dull, quicken us; if cold, inflame us.”
That is what the Bible is.
Endnotes
11,189 chapters; 31,102 verses (KJV).
2https://quotefancy.com/stories-quotes.
3Words of God, word of the Lord, commandments of the Lord.
4Wilkinson and Boa, Through the Bible.
5The Bible describes two forms of revelation: general and special. General revelation is evidence for God seen in nature (Psalm 19:1–6; Romans 1:18, 20). Special revelation refers to God’s direct communication in Scripture (Hebrews 1:1–2).
6https://biblereasons.com/bible-quotes/.
7https://quotefancy.com/quote/1783796.
8www.goodreads.com/quotes/239061.
9Wendy Speake, The 40-Day Feast.
10https://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/galileo_galilei_381320.
