The Bible, a cornerstone of faith for billions, is a collection of sacred texts revered across Judaism and Christianity. But where did the Bible come from? Understanding its origins involves delving into centuries of history, divine inspiration, and meticulous preservation. This journey uncovers how the texts we recognize today as the Old and New Testaments were compiled and passed down through generations.
The Genesis of the Old Testament: From Ancient Israel to Canonization
The Old Testament, primarily focused on ancient Israel, is not a single book but an anthology of historical accounts, prophetic pronouncements, and poetic expressions. Its formation spanned centuries, beginning around the 15th to 13th centuries BC with the Pentateuch (the first five books, starting with Genesis) and concluding around the 5th century BC with the book of Malachi.
These books weren’t written in isolation. Moses is identified as the author of the Pentateuch (Deuteronomy 31:24–26), while other texts drew upon diverse sources, including official records of Israelite kings and wisdom writings (Proverbs 31:1). The common thread was divine inspiration; these writings were seen as God’s word to His people.
Over time, the Old Testament texts were carefully transmitted and occasionally updated by inspired editors. These updates, like parenthetical comments in Deuteronomy (Deuteronomy 2:20–23), clarified the text for later readers without altering the core message. By the time of Malachi, with the decline of prophetic activity, the Old Testament canon was largely considered complete. Jewish scholars then focused on preserving God’s revelation through translation and meticulous copying. Notably, the Old Testament was translated into Greek, becoming the Septuagint, before the time of Jesus. By Jesus’ era, the Old Testament canon was widely accepted, although discussions about the Apocrypha continued.
The New Testament’s Emergence: Apostolic Authority and Early Church Recognition
The New Testament emerged in the early Christian church, rooted in the life, teachings, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. The apostles, eyewitnesses to Jesus’ ministry and resurrection (Acts 1:21–22), played a crucial role. They traveled, preached, and established churches, carrying divine authority.
As the Christian community grew, the apostles began writing letters to guide and instruct the churches. These letters, imbued with apostolic authority, were read aloud and circulated, becoming vital for early Christian teaching. Simultaneously, accounts of Jesus’ life began to be recorded, eventually forming the four Gospels. The apostolic era culminated with the apostle John’s Revelation, a prophetic letter to seven churches, marking the completion of the New Testament canon by the end of the first century.
Acceptance into the New Testament canon hinged on apostolic authority. Many books were directly authored by apostles, while others, like Mark and Luke, were written by close associates based on apostolic testimony. Evidence suggests the Gospels were accepted very early; Paul even quotes Luke’s Gospel as Scripture (1 Timothy 5:18). Collections of Paul’s letters also circulated rapidly and were recognized as Scripture (2 Peter 3:15–16). In the absence of the apostles’ physical presence, their writings became the inspired and authoritative guidance for the burgeoning church – a role they continue to fulfill today. Reading the New Testament is encountering the authoritative teachings of divinely commissioned apostles, inspired by the Holy Spirit for our spiritual growth.
From Ancient Scrolls to Your Modern Bible: The Journey of Transmission
The early church recognized both the Old Testament and the apostolic writings as God’s revealed word (2 Timothy 3:16; 2 Peter 3:15–16). Despite facing persecution, early Christians painstakingly copied and shared these texts. While some spurious writings emerged claiming apostolic authorship, the church, over time, discerned and affirmed the authentic apostolic books.
Initially, these texts existed as separate scrolls, primarily in Greek, copied countless times. As literacy technology advanced and churches prospered, Christians began compiling these writings into codices and, eventually, books. The Bible was translated into languages like Latin (the Vulgate) and Aramaic (the Peshitta), expanding its accessibility.
Eventually, the Bible was translated into English, making God’s word accessible to a vast new audience. Modern English Bibles are translated from ancient Hebrew Old Testament and Greek New Testament manuscripts. Through the dedication of ancient scribes and divine providence, we can access God’s revelation today through the Bible, a text that records events and words from millennia ago.
Conclusion: Embracing the Enduring Word
The Bible’s journey from divine inspiration to our hands is a testament to God’s enduring word and the faithful efforts of generations. The Old Testament, rooted in ancient Israel, and the New Testament, born from the apostolic age, were organically recognized as Scripture by God’s people, not through human decree but divine recognition. Originally written in Hebrew and Greek, these texts have been meticulously copied and translated, preserving their inspired message for us today. As Paul wrote to Timothy, these “Holy Scriptures…are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus” (2 Timothy 3:14-15). This same transformative Scripture is available to you now. Open a reliable translation in your language and begin to explore its depths – a journey of faith you will surely find enriching.
Alt text: Stacked Old and New Testament Bibles, visually representing the two main sections of Christian Scripture.
Alt text: A collection of diverse Bible translations in various languages, highlighting the global reach of the scriptures.
For Further Study
- The Canon of Scripture by F.F. Bruce
- More insights from your Bible study – Get Started with Logos Bible Software for Free!
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Return to: Questions about the Bible
If Scripture is supposed to be our sole authority, on what authority do we base the canonicity of the books of the Bible – since the Bible does not say which books are canonical?
