BASIC BIBLE QUESTIONS

The Origin of the Bible

Index of Articles

Introduction

The Bible is here. No one can doubt that it exists. How did it come into existence? Is it wholly the work of man? Is it wholly the work of God? Or is it the product of the cooperative work of God and man? The answers to these questions are extremely important to every human being.

We believe that the Bible could not be wholly the work of man. Its contents are far beyond the reach of human authorship. Nor do we believe that the Bible came to us like the original draft of the Ten Commandments, written by the finger of God on two tables of stone. It was produced by the cooperation of God and man. “Holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost” (2 Peter 1:21).

Our faith that the Bible was produced by the cooperative work of God and man is not without evidence. In this article, we offer some of this evidence.

The Bible Itself Claims Inspiration

Paul informs us, “All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness” (2 Timothy 3:16). Paul further declares that the very words he used were chosen by the Holy Spirit, “which things also we speak, not in the words which man’s wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teachest; comparing spiritual things with spiritual” (I Corinthians 2:13).

The Bible's Unity

The unity of the Bible demonstrates the fact that it cannot merely be the work of men. The Bible contains sixty-six books: thirty-nine in the Old Testament and twenty-seven in the New Testament. About forty writers wrote these sixty-six books over a period of about 1600 years. Many of these writers never saw one another, yet throughout the Bible there is one theme - God and human redemption through Christ. The only way this can be explained is that the Bible is inspired of God.

The Bible is Scientifically Accurate

The Bible does not claim to be a book of science, nor is it written in scientific terms, but if it is inspired of God, it must be scientifically accurate. Consider these examples of its scientific truths:

  1. In 712 BC, Isaiah declared that the earth is circular (Isaiah 40:22). He wrote this when the people believed that the earth was flat. How could he have known this? Only one way - he spoke by inspiration.
  2. In 2000 BC, Job declared that the earth is not supported (Job 26:7). He wrote this when people believed that the earth was supported by the shoulders of Atlas, or floated like a ball on water. How could he have known this?
  3. In 591 BC, Jeremiah declared that the stars are innumerable (Jeremiah 33:22). He wrote this when men thought they could count the stars. Ptolemy in 150 AD counted 1,056 and claimed that all the stars would not total over 3,000. It was not until 1608 AD that Galileo, after using a powerful telescope, declared that the number was innumerable. How could Jeremiah have known this?
  4. In 1000 BC, the Psalmist stated that there were paths in the seas (Psalms 8:8). In 1855 AD Matthew Maury’s eldest son was reading the book of Psalms to his ailing father. When he read Psalms 8:8, Matthew said, “It is enough, if the word of God says there are paths in the sea, they must be there, and I am going to find them.” Within a few years, he charted sea lanes and currents.
  5. In 58 AD, Paul declared that all flesh is not the same (I Corinthians 15:39). In 1838, M. J. Schlelder taught that the cells of plants, animals were the same. But in 1930, using a powerful microscope, scientists found that Paul was right - all flesh is different.

The Bible is Historically True

In the past, many laughed at the Bible because they said it was historically inaccurate. But thanks to the work historians have done in the past one hundred years, skeptics are no longer laughing. Consider these examples:

  1. In the past, historians said that Moses did not write the first five books of the Old Testament because men could not write in 1500 BC. In 1901, the French Archeologist, M. De Morgan, discovered a stone 8 feet high, 6 feet at its circumference giving 248 laws formulated by Hammurabi, King of Babylon in about 1800 BC. Therefore, it was learned that it was possible for Moses to write the books of law.
  2. Historians thought for awhile that the earliest use of metals was about 1200 BC. They said that the Bible was inaccurate because it indicated that metal was used much earlier (Genesis 4:21-22). The Bible was upheld when, in 1933, Frankfort discovered, in the ruins of Asnor, an iron blade made about 2700 BC proving that metal was used much earlier than first believed.
  3. Historians scoffed when they read in the Bible about the Hittites (Genesis 10:15). They said that no such people ever existed. In 1876, the Bible was again proven to be accurate when George Smith found their capital city.
  4. In Genesis 40:10-11 the Bible indicates that there were grapes in Egypt. The ancient historian, Herodates denied this. However, paintings discovered on the ancient Egyptian tombs show the dressing, pressing and cultivating of Grapevines.

Historians, as they learn more, are finding the Bible to be historically true.

The Prophecies in the Bible Have Been Fulfilled

One of the greatest proofs of Bible inspiration is fulfilled prophecy. Consider these examples:

  1. 700 years before Jesus was born, his birthplace was foretold (Micah 5:2; Matthew 2:1).
  2. 700 years before Jesus was born, Isaiah said that be would be born of a virgin (Isaiah 7:14; Matthew 1:23).
  3. 400 years before Jesus was born, Malachi said that Jesus would have one to prepare his way (Malachi 3:1,4, 4:5-6; Matthew 3:1-3).
  4. 700 years before His birth, Isaiah told of the reception that He would receive (Isaiah 53; Matthew 26-27, Mark 14-15, Luke 22-23, John 18-19).
  5. 500 years before His birth, Zechariah told of His entry into Jerusalem (Zechariah 9:9; Matthew 21:1-11).
  6. 1000 years before His birth, the Psalmist told of His pierced hands (Psalms 22:16; Matthew 27:35).

These are but a few examples of the about 300 prophecies concerning Christ. No group of men could have uttered such prophecies without divine help.

The Bible is Relevant

The Bible is not a book that grows old or becomes out of date. It is as relevant to our day as it was 2000 years ago. Customs change, but the basic problems and needs of mankind are still the same. Man is still a lost sinner, who is in need of salvation. He still needs the love, hope, peace and joy he finds in the Bible.

Conclusion

The Bible is truly the word of God. We can rest assured that God is speaking to man through it today. Will we heed God's message?

by R. C. Archer

Last updated 12 April 2008.