The Authorship of the Bible

I've heard and read a lot of opinions and conclusions about the Bible's origins and authorship.  And, while I've not been privy to all of them, of the ones to which I have been, the majority have credited people as not just the source, but the sole source of its authorship.  This has given some (that I've met and talked with about it) cause to distrust or discount anything from the Bible.  These respective dispositions are compounded by the societal habit of placing the responsibility for many of history's atrocities on the Bible and/or what it teaches (or, more accurately, what they think it teaches).

Now, while I cannot speak for all such opinions and conclusions, those of which I am aware are conspicuously silent on what the Bible actually says about itself.  I know that, as far as what is accepted as empirical research is concerned (and at least as far as I was told), what a written work has to say about itself is not typically considered in its evaluation.  At least not to a significant degree.  As far as genuine empirical research itself is concerned, this may not be true.  By no means do I consider myself the best of researchers.  I've been told I've done pretty good work in some areas, but, I'm not the sort to blow his own horn where this is concerned.  But the fact remains, the silence is there.  It may not be universal, but, considering what the Bible says about itself, my thinking is that it shouldn't be there at all.  But then, where research exterior to the Bible itself is concerned, that's just me.

It should first be understood that the central focus of the Bible is Jesus Christ as a revelation of God.  And the context of that revelation is the redemption of man from sin through Christ's sacrifice and ministry.  His ministry and sacrifice are the center around which all of the Bible's teachings revolve.  

Reading the Bible, it can be clearly seen that, throughout the Bible, the responsibility of communicating God's will and intentions to man, with a few rare, individual exceptions, has been delegated to man.  This can be seen in God's designs for the nation of Israel as evidenced by His interaction with them.  It can also be seen in the commission of the preaching of the Gospel in the New Testament.   Paul shows this in the opening of his letter to the Romans, and, a little further in, in referencing the appointed responsibility of the Jews.

"Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, separated unto the gospel of God, (which He had promised afore by His prophets in the Holy Scriptures,) concerning His Son Jesus Christ our Lord, which was made of the seed of David according to the flesh; and declared to be the Son of God with power, according to the spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead: by Whom we have received grace and apostleship, for obedience to the faith among all nations, for His name: among whom are ye also the called of Jesus Christ: to all that be in Rome, beloved of God, called to be saints: Grace to you and peace from God our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ." - Romans 1:1-7

"What advantage then hath the Jew?  Or what profit is there of circumcision?  Much every way: chiefly, because that unto them were committed the oracles of God." - Romans 3:1, 2

The Bible also refers to itself as an ideal source of instruction in principle and religion for the purpose of preparing one for the preaching of the Gospel and the performance of ministries.  And, as is consistent with things so closely connected to and associated with God, Scripture is considered "holy", "sacred".  

"For when for the time ye ought to be teachers, ye have need that one teach you again which be the first principles of the oracles of God; and are become such as have need of milk, and not of strong meat.  For everyone that useth milk is unskilful in the word of righteousness: for he is a babe.  But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil." - Hebrews 5:12-14

"But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them; and that from a child thou hast known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.  All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: that the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works." - 2 Timothy 3:14-17

Those who contributed to the Bible consistently related that what they wrote did not come from them.  In messages and prophecies, what is said is indicated as something they were shown or told by God. 

"The vision of Isaiah the son of Amoz, which he saw concerning Judah and Jerusalem in the days of Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah, kings of Judah.  Hear, O heavens, and give ear, O earth: for the Lord hath spoken, I have nourished and brought up children, and they have rebelled against Me." - Isaiah 1:1, 2

"The words of Amos, who was among the herdmen of Tekoa, which he saw concerning Israel in the days of Uzziah king of Judah, and in the days of Jeroboam the son of Joash king of Israel, two years before the earthquake.  And he said, The Lord will roar from Zion, and utter His voice from Jerusalem; and the habitations of the shepherds shall mourn, and the top of Carmel shall whither." - Amos 1:1, 2

"The word of the Lord that came to Micah the Morashthite in the days of Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah, kings of Judah, which he saw concerning Samaria and Jerusalem.  Hear, all ye people; hearken, O earth, and all that therein is: and let the Lord God be witness against you, the Lord from His holy temple." - Micah 1:1, 2

"The burden which Habakkuk the prophet did see. O Lord, how long shall I cry, and thou wilt not hear!  Even cry out unto Thee of violence, and Thou wilt not save!  Why dost Thou shew me iniquity, and cause me to behold grievance?  For spoiling and violence are before me: and there are that raise up strife and contention." - Habakkuk 1:1-3

"But Jeremiah said, They shall not deliver thee.  Obey, I beseech thee, the voice of the Lord, which I speak unto thee: so it shall be well unto thee, and thy soul shall live.  But if thou refuse to go forth, this is the word that the Lord hath shewed me: and, behold, all the women that are left in the king of Judah's house shall be brought forth to the king of Babylon's princes, and those women shall say, Thy friends have set thee on, and have prevailed against thee: thy feet are sunk in the mire, and they are turned away back." - Jeremiah 38:20-22

Scripture further indicates that it is the Holy Spirit who shows and gives prophets messages and prophecies.  

"Yet many years didst Thou forbear them, and testifiedst against them by Thy Spirit in Thy prophets: yet would they not give ear: therefore gavest Thou them into the hand of the people of the lands." - Nehemiah 9:30

"Yea, they made their hearts as an adamant stone, lest they should hear the law, and the words which the Lord of hosts hath sent in His Spirit by the former prophets: therefore came a great wrath from the Lord of hosts." - Zechariah 7:12

"Now these be the last words of David.  David the son of Jesse said, and the man who was raised up on high, the anointed of the God of Jacob, and the sweet psalmist of Israel, said, The Spirit of the Lord spake by me, and His word was in my tongue." - 2 Samuel 23:1, 2

"And he said unto me, Son of man, stand upon thy feet, and I will speak unto thee.  And the Spirit entered into me when he spake unto me, and set me upon my feet, that I heard him that spake unto me." - Ezekiel 2:1, 2

"And the Spirit of the Lord fell upon me, and said unto me, Speak; Thus saith the Lord; Thus have ye said, O house of Israel: for I know the things that come into your mind, every one of them." - Ezekiel 11:5

"Afterwards the Spirit took me up, and brought me in a vision by the Spirit of God into Chaldea, to them of the captivity.  So the vision that I had seen went up from me.  Then I spake unto them of the captivity all the things that the Lord had shewed me." - Ezekiel 11:24, 25

"But truly I am full of power by the Spirit of the Lord, and of judgment, and of might, to declare unto Jacob his transgression, and to Israel his sin." - Micah 3:8

Communication from God to man, throughout the history of the nation of Israel consistently, in one way or another, involved the Holy Spirit.  While communication of the will and intentions of God was a responsibility delegated to those chosen by Him to be prophets, the means by which this communication was effected was the Holy Spirit.  This was acknowledged by king David in his last words.  (2 Samuel 23: 1, 2 [see above]).  The Spirit was indicated as the active agent in the vision of Micah concerning the northern and southern kingdoms of Israel and Judah. (Micah 3:8 [see above]).  The Spirit was directly involved in Ezekiel's vision concerning Judah during their captivity under the Babylonians.  (Ezekiel 2:1, 2; 11:5, 24, 25 [see above]).  After the captivity, in their prayer of recommitment to God, the Levites acknowledged the role of the Holy Spirit in the warnings given by the prophets before the captivity.  (Nehemiah 9:30 [see above]).  The involvement of the Holy Spirit in the work and messages of the prophets in the Old Testament is also acknowledged in the New Testament.  Even by Christ Himself.  

"And Jesus answered and said, while He taught in the temple, How say the scribes that Christ is the son of David?  For David himself said by the Holy Ghost, The Lord said to my Lord, Sit Thou on My right hand, till I make Thine enemies Thy footstool." - Mark 12:35, 36

"And when they agreed not among themselves, they departed, after that Paul had spoken one word, Well spake the Holy Ghost by Esaias (Isaiah) the prophet unto our fathers, saying, Go unto this people, and say, Hearing ye shall hear, and shall not understand; and seeing ye shall see, and not perceive: for the heart of this people is waxed gross, and their ears are dull of hearing, and their eyes have they closed; lest they should see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and understand with their heart, and should be converted, and I should heal them." - Acts 28:25-27

"Of which salvation the prophets have inquired and searched diligently, who prophesied of the grace that should come unto you: searching what, or what manner of time the Spirit of Christ which was in them did signify, when it testified beforehand the sufferings of Christ, and the glory that should follow." - 1 Peter 1:10, 11

"For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost." - 2 Peter 1:21

Then, there are those rare occasions where the Holy Spirit is indicated to have spoken Himself.  In these instances, there is little or no indication of a person used by God to communicate to man.  

"Wherefore (as the Holy Ghost saith, Today if ye will hear His voice, harden not your hearts, as in the provocation, in the day of temptation in the wilderness: when your fathers tempted Me, proved Me, and saw My works forty years.  Wherefore I was grieved with that generation, and said, They do alway err in their heart; and they have not known my ways.  So I sware in my wrath, They shall not enter into My rest.)" - Hebrews 3:7-11

"But into the second went the high priest alone once every year, not without blood, which he offered for himself, and for the errors of the people: the Holy Ghost this signifying, that the way into the holiest of all was not yet made manifest, while as the first tabernacle was yet standing: which was a figure for the time then present, in which were offered both gifts and sacrifices, that could not make him that did the service perfect, as pertaining to the conscience; which stood only in meats and drinks, and diverse washings, and carnal ordinances, imposed on them until the time of reformation." - Hebrews 9:7-10

"Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils; speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron; forbidding to marry, and commanding to abstain from meats, which God hath created to be received with thanksgiving of them which believe and know the truth." - 1 Timothy 4:1-3

According to what is written in the Bible, its authorship is not as simple as many assume.  It's not just about a number of people across a large tract of time and history writing things that, once collected, were taken as Scripture.  Those who wrote or spoke in the name of God in the Bible credit the messages to God.  Whatever revelation they received is indicated to have come to them from God, by way of the Holy Spirit.  This, as a process, is described by Paul as "inspiration" in his second letter to Timothy (2 Timothy 3:14-17 [see above]).  The writers and prophets being taken at their word, the revelations of Scripture being attributed to the Holy Spirit regardless of the manner of His involvement, it is concluded by believers that the actual author of the Bible is God.

The Assumption of Belief

Reading the Bible has led me to question the wisdom of getting into arguments about the existence of God.  It's not that I wouldn't be able to argue the point.  I do admit that some research into the current sciences for the sake of participating within a common frame of reference might be necessary, given some assumptions about the direction of the debate.  But, my questioning of the wisdom of participating in such an exercise is not about the adequacy of my argument.  And, it's not just about my getting into such an exchange.  It's about anyone getting into such an exchange.  Any Bible-believing Christian, that is.

The thing that I've come to understand about the Bible, particularly with respect to this line of thinking, is that it assumes the belief of the reader.  The Bible makes no attempt at explaining itself except with respect to the mechanics of its teachings.  It makes no offer of proof of the veracity of its claims.  Everything in it is presented as statement of fact.

There is a central focus in the Bible directly tied to its purpose.  No effort is expended in its writing except in that of communicating this focus.  Communication of this focus begins largely with example, and ends with what I've come to refer to as "mechanics".  The "example" can be found in the Bible's accounts of individual lives and how God interacts with these individuals.  The "mechanics" can be found in the letters of the apostles and the counsel they contain.  In the course of its communication, there are direct statements made about God and evidence of His existence that occur as statement of fact.  Not supposition or proposal.  Fact. 

With its first statement the Bible begins to present the whole of nature as evidence of the existence of God.  And it does so in a fashion that, at the very least, suggests that with this evidence, it's the only conclusion to draw.  No suppositions.  No proposals.  No arguments.

"In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.  And the earth was without form, and void; and darkness was upon the face of the deep.  And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters." - Genesis 1:1, 2

"The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament sheweth His handiwork." - Psalms 19:1

In the beginning of the book of Romans there is a revelation of God's disposition toward sin where the arena of nature is presented as proof of who God is, that knowledge leaving them without excuse for choosing a life apart from relationship with Him.  

"For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness; because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them.  For the invisible things of Him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse: because that, when they knew God, they glorified Him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened." - Romans 1:18-21

In declarations concerning God's justice nature is used, not just as a proof, but as a warning.  

"They slay the widow and the stranger, and murder the fatherless.  Yet they say, The Lord shall not see, neither shall the God of Jacob regard it.  Understand ye brutish among the people: and ye fools, when will ye be wise?  He that planted the ear, shall He not hear?  He that formed the eye, shall He not see?" - Psalms 94:6-9

In the perfomance of their ministry, Paul and Barnabas were grabbed by the people of the town they were in and proclaimed to be gods, much to their dismay.  In an effort to recify the situation, they reminded the people of the One they came to preach to them, identifying Him as the Creator.  This is just one of a great many instances in the Bible where nature is used as an identifier of God.

"And they called Barnabas Jupiter; and Paul Mercurius, because he was the chief speaker.  Then the priest of Jupiter, which was before their city, brought oxen and garlands unto the gates, and would have done sacrifice with the people.  Which when the apostles, Barnabas and Paul, heard of, they rent their clothes, and ran in among the people, crying out, and saying, Sirs, why do ye these things?  We also are men of like passions with you, and preach unto you that ye should turn from these vanities unto the living God, which made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and all things that are therein: who in times past suffered all nations to walk in their own ways." - Acts 14:12-16

One of the reasons why God is referred to as a "personal" God is because of the relationships between God and man.  In the Bible, God is shown in relationship with man both on corporate and individual levels.  The Bible presents these relationships in a familial context.  Familial and interpersonal relationships being a part of human nature, many have pointed to this context of the Bible's presentation of God's interaction with man as evidence of His existence and Creatorship.  Again, the Bible makes said presentations, not as suggestions or suppositions, but as descriptions of fact.

"Like as a father pitieth his children, so the Lord pitieth them that fear Him." - Psalms 103:13

"As one whom his mother comforteth, so will I comfort you; and ye shall be comforted in Jerusalem." - Isaiah 66:13

"If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your Father which is in heaven give good things to them that ask Him?" - Matthew 7:11

Now, what has been shared so far is only a small sample of the Scripture that speaks to the Creatorship of God, whether it's in terms of direct statement or declaration or simple identification.  And, even if all of the Scripture which speaks to this were shared here, still, only part of the focus of the Bible would be represented, to say nothing of an incomplete representation of its purpose. 

That portion of Scripture which discusses or focuses on the Creatorship of God or points to nature as proof of His existence and Creatorship, has been described as a "revelation" of God.  It's something like when you see the work of a certain artist.  Observing that artist's work, you can discern things about them, things about their personality, preferences, etc.  (Some gifted or trained observers are able to discern rather comprehensive detail about who a person is through examination of their work.)  Through the observation of nature, some have discerned things about God.  But this level of "revelation" is tainted and incomplete at best.

From the very beginning of the Bible, the problem of sin and what it brings is illustrated, discussed and demonstrated in the lives, actions, and testimonies of those with whom God has interacted.  The answer to that problem and the central focus of the Bible is Jesus Christ.  His life, ministry, death, and the purpose of His death are prophesied in the Old Testament, recounted and explained in the New Testament.  His teachings, also recounted in the New Testament, are explained in detail with references to the lives of people in the Old Testament as examples of His teachings applied and experienced.  Jesus Christ has also been described as a "revelation" of God.  This conclusion is corroborated by Scripture.  

"Philip saith unto Him, Lord, shew us the Father, and it sufficeth us.  Jesus saith unto him, Have I been so long time with you, and yet hast thou not known Me, Philip?  He that hath seen Me hath seen the Father; and how sayest thou then, shew us the Father?  Believest thou not that I am in the Father, and the Father in Me?  The words that I speak unto you I speak not of Myself: but the Father that dwelleth in Me, He doeth the works." - John 14:8-10

"God, who at sundry times and in diverse manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets, hath in these last days spoken unto us by His Son, whom He hath appointed heir of all things, by Whom also He made the worlds; who being the brightness of His glory, and the express image of His person, and upholding all things by the word of His power, when He had by Himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high; being made so much better than the angels, as He hath by inheritance obtained a more excellent name than they." - Hebrews 1:1-4

In addition to its identification of Christ as the principle active agent in creation in Hebrews 1:1-4 (see above), the Bible, along with its discussion of His unity with the Father, identifies Jesus as God.  

"But while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost.  And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call His name Jesus: for He shall save His people from their sins.  Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying, Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us." - Matthew 1:20-23

"In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.  The same was in the beginning with God.  All things were made by Him; and without Him was not anything made that was made." - John 1:1-3

"And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth." - John 1:14

"For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one." - 1 John 5:7

This is by no means the sum total of the Bible's discussion and "revelation" of God through Creation and the life, ministry, and death of Jesus Christ.  Having read the Bible and all that it has to say on the subject of God Himself, and the way that it says it, where the Bible-believing Christian is concerned, I can't help but wonder.  What is the point of getting into an argument or "debate" about the existence of God?  The Bible refers to itself as the principle, if not, sole guide on spiritual matters.  Most certainly, by its own claims, it's the last word on spiritual matters.  If the Bible doesn't render that much attention to this kind of argument, if it forwards no attempt at proving its claims in a fashion that might be directed at one who doubts or even outright denies the existence of God, should Bible-believing Christians be taking up arguments that the Bible doesn't? 

There are two passages of Scripture that stand out to me with respect to the responsibility of the Bible-believing Christian.  One is Christ's commission to all who follow and serve Him.  The other is Christ's admonition concerning those who don't want to hear their message.  

"Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world.  Amen." - Matthew 28:19, 20

"And whosoever shall not receive you, nor hear your words, when ye depart out of that house or city, shake off the dust of your feet." - Matthew 10:14

Given the example of Christ's own ministry, I would think that with the above admonition, there's more than enough on a Christian's plate to preclude the kind of adversarial exchanges I've heard about and witnessed.  Christ participated in no such exchanges during His ministry, and they're not called for in His commission to Christians.  If you're going to call yourself a Christian as is defined by what is written in the Bible, apart from what's involved in the kind of ministry a Christian is called to, such exchanges should not be happening.  If they are, a Bible-believing Christian should not be involved.

And, given the type and direction of the Bible's "revelations" of God, what's shared here is enough to provide anyone with a good look at who God is.  And there's more where this came from.  There's no need for arguments beyond that.  With the Bible's lack of discussion about this specific variety of disbelief, I would think that it would be prudent to proceed as Christ said in Matthew 10:14 (see above).  According to Romans 1 (see above), failure to believe is a choice.  It doesn't matter what's used to support it.

If You're A Christian You Should Be Reading Your Bible

Where the Bible is concerned, people have really been missing the point.  I've both heard and read about how people have been using the Bible to justify themselves, condemn others and control just about everyone in-between.  But, from the things that I've been hearing and reading, it seems that a great many haven't actually read the Bible.  And a significant percentage of the ones that haven't are calling themselves Christians, or, at least claiming Christian beliefs.  In the face of Christ's admonition concerning Scripture, that seems a little off, don't you think?

"Search the Scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testified of Me." - John 5:39


And, as if an admonition from Christ Himself is not enough, there are other passages of Scripture that, at the very least, suggest that any spiritual guidance that isn't coming directly from the hand or mouth God Himself should be coming from or based on Scripture.  I mean, if Christ relied on Scripture to this extent when He was tempted, why should Christians rely on it any less? 

"To the law and to the testimony: if they speak not according to this word, it is because there is no light in them." - Isaiah 8:20


"Then was Jesus led up of the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted of the devil.  And when He had fasted forty days and forty nights, He was afterward an hungered.  And when the tempter came to Him, He said, If thou be the Son of God, command that these stones be made bread.  But He answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.  Then the devil taketh Him up into the holy city, and setteth Him on a pinnacle of the temple, and saith unto Him, If thou be the Son of God, cast thyself down: for it is written, He shall give His angels charge concerning Thee: and in their hands they shall bear Thee up, lest at any time thou dash thy foot against a stone.  Jesus said unto him, It is written again, Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God.  Again, the devil taketh Him up into an exceeding high mountain, and sheweth Him all the kingdoms of the world, and the glory of them; and saith unto Him, All these things will I give Thee, if thou wilt fall down and worship me.  Then saith Jesus unto him, Get thee hence, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and Him only shalt thou serve." - Matthew 4:1-10

If Christ Himself used Scripture alone to face down the devil, who are we to do otherwise?  What puts us in a position to look anywhere else for spiritual guidance?  Now, don't get me wrong.  This by no means makes prayer any less important.  The Bible acknowledges the importance of prayer.  But then, you do have to read the Bible in order to see and understand the importance of prayer.  In fact, you have to read the Bible to understand the importance of worship and praise as well.  In the Bible are the standards, set by God Himself, for all facets of relationship with Him, as well as the requirements of salvation.  Now, I don't know about anyone else, but, I'm at a bit of a loss to understand why it is that there are so many Christians who have not or do not read the Bible when in it is contained the knowledge necessary to be a Christian, to say nothing of the knowledge of what being a Christian really means.

If there were more Christians who actually read what the Bible says, Christianity, as it is currently understood by the public at large, would be very different.  Now, just to be clear, I'm not speaking against preaching, nor am I advocating not listening to anyone engaged in the act.  Preaching the Gospel is highly acknowledged as a ministry in Scripture.  But, even in the face of having the Gospel preached to us, we are admonished by example to search Scripture for the truth of what's been preached.

"And the brethren immediately sent away Paul and Silas by night unto Berea: who coming thither went into the synagogue of the Jews.  These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the Scriptures daily, whether those things were so." - Acts 17:10, 11

All that being said, given the examples that are throughout Scripture, why is it that there are so many Christians that have not and do not read the Bible?  If the Bible is indeed the source of an informed faith, why is it so largely unread by those who claim the faith?

I've been through the Bible more than once.  If people claiming belief in Christ read the Bible more than they do now, Christianity would be a very different religion.  The opinion of society at large of Christianity as a religion and a community would be very different.

If you're a Christian, you should be reading your Bible.