Foundation Topic

Is the Bible God’s Word?

The Bible consists of 66 different books written over hundreds of years by many authors. The Bible claims to be the Word of God, but also explains that God communicated his own thoughts, works, and heart through human authors. God inspired men to write his Word, and oversaw the process of authoring and preserving the Scriptures until they came together as God's complete revelation. 

Short Content

Who Wrote the Bible?

So who wrote the Bible? Did God write it, or was it written by men? The Bible’s answer is: Both.

We know—this is a mystery. Life and the Bible are both full of mysteries, and this is the first mystery we must accept when we open the Bible. Often, the Bible presents us with two seemingly contradictory realities that we must accept simultaneously. We aren’t asked to fit the two truths together, but to hold them both, side by side. This is true when we think about who wrote the Bible. Let us explain.

God claims to be the primary author of the Bible (2 Timothy 3:16). The Bible is his book, though he enlisted many helpers to write it.

There are two foundational Bible passages that explain this reality to us. The first tells us that God, our Creator, has made himself known by speaking in Scripture (2 Timothy 3:16). We call this truth that God has spoken, revelation.

The way he revealed himself was in 66 books, written by over forty authors, from three continents, whose lives spanned all of history. His Spirit moved in them in such a way that what these men wrote was God’s Word (2 Peter 1:21). Together these 66 books of the Bible tell one overarching redemptive story culminating in the person and work of Jesus. We call the process of men recording God’s Word, inspiration.

Both revelation and inspiration are not going on anymore as they were in the past (Hebrews 1:1-2). When the apostle John wrote down the last book of Scripture—Revelation—he was told to seal it up, and no Scripture has been written since.

The collection of books in which God inspired men to write his word is called the “canon”—and over time each book included in the biblical canon was recognized by God’s people as God’s Word. The Bible indicates in various places that God is done writing his Word, because God’s plan for the history of the world is in its final chapter (Hebrews 1:2).

God has introduced himself with the help of ordinary men because he wants ordinary people to know him. He’s told us who he is, how to know him, and his plan for the world. All that he needed to say and do has been said and done.

Question is, will you open his book and listen?

by Bibles.net

OPEN YOUR BIBLE

Theme Verse

Above all, you must understand that no prophecy of Scripture came about by the prophet’s own interpretation of things. For prophecy never had its origin in the human will, but prophets, though human, spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.

2 PETER 1:20-21 NIV

How Do You Know the Bible Is God's Word?
Quote

The best evidence
of the Bible's
being
the word of God
is to be found
between its covers.
It proves itself.

Charles Hodge
Article: 10 Min

Does God Love You? You Own Tangible Evidence

by Matt Smethurst at The Gospel Coalition

Definition

Inspiration

There is a mystery about the character of the Bible, for it consists of human words that are also God’s words. How did such a thing take place? The answer, insofar as we can formulate one, is called the doctrine of inspiration.

by Joel Beeke and Paul Smalley

Image

For the word
of God is
alive and active. 

Hebrews 4:12 NIV

WHAT IS
INSPIRATION?

Messages: 50 Min

God Wrote a Book

by Al Abdulla

Quote

God's Word Answers Humanity's Questions

Immanuel Kant said that there are three main questions that concern humanity. What can I know? What must I do? What can I hope for? The Word of God answers all three. Its interpretation of history and of the human person is not only unique it is also true because it is God’s interpretation mediated through human authors.

by John Lennox | Source
Article: 15 Min

The Wonderful Unity of the Bible Attests to Its Divine Authorship

by A.W. Pink at Monergism

Quote

The Bible is
the Word of God.
This view of the
Bible is not an
artificial doctrine
taught and imposed
upon it by churches
or theologians,
but is the view of the
Bible taught by God
in the Bible itself.

Messages: 41 Min

The Bible Is God's Word

by Al Mohler

Article: 6 Min

How Can We Know That the Bible Is From God?

by Miska Wilhelmsson at The Masters Seminary Blog

What Does it Mean that the Bible Is Inspired?
Article: 7 Min

What Is Inspiration?
Five Theories of Inspiration

by Bibles.net
Messages: 37 Min

The Holy Spirit: Author of Scripture

by John Piper

Article: 5 Min

What Does It Mean that the Bible Is Inspired?

by Got Questions Ministries

Messages: 54 Min

Understanding the Doctrine of Inspiration

by John MacArthur

Quote

Why We Trust the Bible to Be God's Word

Once the character and power of Jesus have captured our trust, then he becomes the guide and authority for all our future decisions and persuasions. So the third step on the way to a reasonable persuasion that the Bible is God's Word is to let the teaching and the spirit of Jesus control how we assess the Bible. This happens in at least two ways. One is that we accept what Jesus teaches about the Old and New Testaments. When he says that Scripture can't be broken (John 10:35) and that not an iota or dot will pass from the law till all is accomplished (Matthew 5:18), we agree with him and base our confidence in the Old Testament on his reliability. And when he chose twelve apostles to found his church, gives them his authority to teach, and promises to send his Spirit to guide them into truth, we agree with him and credit the writings of these men with the authority of Christ.  

by John Piper | Source
Article: 10 Min

What Is Verbal Plenary Inspiration?

by Got Questions Ministries

Quote

Jesus Tells the Apostles That They Will Write Scripture

In these verses (John 16:13-16 ESV) the disciples are promised amazing gifts to enable them to write Scripture: the Holy Spirit would teach them “all things,” would cause them to remember “all” that Jesus had said, and would guide them into “all the truth.”

by Wayne Grudem | Source
Verse
2 PETER 1:16-19 NIV

For we did not follow cleverly devised stories when we told you about the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ in power, but we were eyewitnesses of his majesty. He received honor and glory from God the Father when the voice came to him from the Majestic Glory, saying, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased.” We ourselves heard this voice that came from heaven when we were with him on the sacred mountain. We also have the prophetic message as something completely reliable, and you will do well to pay attention to it, as to a light shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts. 

Verse
1 Thessalonians 2:13 NIV

And we also thank God continually because, when you received the word of God, which you heard from us, you accepted it not as a human word, but as it actually is, the word of God, which is indeed at work in you who believe.

Books
Books