HOW DID WE GET THE BIBLE?�
BY
ROBERT L. BRUCE
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Many thanks to those who helped in the compiling of this project! Thanks especially to my family, Patricia Piazza, Earl Pickle, Harriette Butler, The Middlebrooks, and to Arden Lawrence for editing my work. I also thank Warren Alexander, Ray Wilson, and Dan Gibson for the use of their libraries. I thank also my friends at Brenham Christian Academy and First Baptist Church School of whom I borrowed books and magazines that contributed to this work. I thank those that contacted me online with their suggestions. My thanks also goes to the High School Bible class who asked the questions that needed to be asked, especially the one that was finally used for the title.
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FOREWORD
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This study was originally written for a High School Bible class, but has also been used for both college and adult studies. The references were used to inspire further study on the student's part. This revised study has placed all reference material in parentheses. References[books,magazines,etc.] not in the Bible are underlined. Because many of the references are duplicated, in order to save space, I placed only what I considered to be the most prominent references to the statements made. Due to the massive numbers of references[I lost count somewhere between 350 and 400, and with each verse in the Bible counted, the number goes WELL over 1,000], I found it impossible to simply number them and place them as footnotes on the bottom of the pages. Past experience has shown a particular laziness toward checking a reference, so I placed the general reference for the student to see, and to hopefully investigate to see "whether those things were so"(Acts 17:11). The student might also notice that several statements were duplicated in different chapters. This was done because I believed it was appropriate to remind the student of what I considered to be some very important concepts dealing with the matters of studying the Bible, as opposed to just studying "about" the Bible. As Shan Jackson states "It is good to know how we got the Bible, but it is essential to know the Bible."
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
page
FOREWORD 2
TABLE OF CONTENTS 3
CHAPTER 1- INTRODUCTION 4
CHAPTER 2- BOOKS OF LAW 16
CHAPTER 3- BOOKS OF HISTORY 34
CHAPTER 4- BOOKS OF POETRY 48
CHAPTER 5- BOOKS OF PROPHESY 58
CHAPTER 6- GOSPELS 72
CHAPTER 7- THE BOOK OF ACTS 86
CHAPTER 8- PAUL'S LETTERS 96
CHAPTER 9- GENERAL EPISTLES 112
CHAPTER 10- THE BOOK OF REVELATION 122
CHAPTER 11- MANUSCRIPTS, HISTORY OF THE CHURCH 132
REFERENCES AND ADDITIONAL READING 148
APPENDIX:MAPS,TIMELINES,CHARTS
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HOW DID WE GET THE BIBLE?
CHAPTER 1
INTRODUCTION
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There is a massive amount of written material that exists today. Estimates are as high as ONE TRILLION documents! The number of books in the Library of Congress alone is over 98 MILLION(The Guinness Book Of World Records)! Of that number about 2-10 percent is considered religious material. That comes to around ten million books! Of that large number, among the major religions of the world: Hinduism, Buddhism, Confucianism, Taoism, Islam, Judaism, Christianity, and all other philosophies and religions; only FIVE books exist that claim to be true and inspired by God(How The Great Religions Began). These books are: the Book of Mormon, the Koran, the Bhagavad-Gita, the Tao Te Ching, and the Holy Bible(The Religions Of Man). Most of these contain "abstract ideas" about God(Toward A Theology Of History). But ONLY the Bible can be backed up by historic, and scientific proofs, as well as by its own prophesies(Why We Believe The Bible). The Bible reveals God's character by recording His activities in history, and so the Bible "records events which are firmly tied to people and places"(The Lion Encyclopedia Of The Bible). Of all the holy books of the world's religions, only the Bible clearly states that time is finite(Matthew 13:39; 24:33-50; Revelation 20:11), that God created time(Genesis 1:1), and "only God is capable of cause and effect apart from the universe's space/time dimensions"("Cosmology's Holy Grail"Christianity Today). God revealed Himself through His Word("How We Got The Bible" The Beacon Of Truth). No other book can make these claims and pass ALL tests(The Bible:The Inspired Book).
Many Americans believe in God and that the Bible is the inspired Word of God("Who Wrote The Bible?"U.S. News And World Report). However, many people do not know much about the Bible. Scholars have said that "Americans generally have an abysmal level of knowledge of the Bible"("The Gospel Truth?" Time). It is reported that even "christians" in the Lord's church have a lack of knowledge of God's Word(The Search For The Ancient Order). Experts state that "Bible literacy as a whole is woefully low"(Genesis Reconsidered" Time). The Bible warns of the danger of not knowing God's Word(Isaiah 29:14; Hosea 4:6; John 12:48; Second Timothy 3:7; Hebrews 2:2-4). Many do not read it, nor can they recall anything but what they were told by someone they considered knowledgeable, usually a clergyman. They do not study to make sure what is said is the truth, like those in the First Century(Acts 17:11). They forget that Jesus told us to "search the scriptures"(John 5:39). They don't know what the Bible says about many things, or even how it came into existence.
But how DID we get the Bible? The original manuscripts were inspired by God and written by men chosen by God(Isaiah 1:2; Jeremiah 1:4; Ezekiel 3:11; Galatians 1:11,12 Ephesians 3:4; First Thessalonians 2:13; Second Timothy 3:16, Second Peter 1:21). Then copies were made, then copies of copies, and then translations into other languages, until the Bible has been translated into almost every language on earth(Guinness Book Of World Records). The Bible is the most widely distributed book in the world. Its influence on history, culture, and the arts has been described as "incalculable"(Academic American Encyclopedia). The following lessons will go into more detail of when, where, and how the various scriptures came to us.
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OVERVIEW
The Theme of The Bible is about God's promise of man's redemption[the saving of man from his sins](Genesis:Historical Or Mythological),receiving forgiveness from a loving God(John 3:16). The Bible records that God wants all people to be saved(Second Peter 3:1-18).
The Bible is separated into two Major Divisions: the Old and New Testaments(Merit Student's Encyclopedia). The Old Testament was written in Hebrew and Aramaic, the languages of the children of Israel[Jews] at that time(Compton's Encyclopedia). The New Testament was written in Koinonia Greek, the common language of the time. Koinonia Greek was invented by Alexander the Great so that he could give orders to his mixed group of soldiers, who spoke so many different languages and dialects that it was difficult to communicate(Encyclopedia International). The 66 books[39 Old Testament, 27 New Testament] are placed in logical rather than chronological order(Compact Survey Of The Bible). The Old Testament deals largely with the religion and the history of the Jewish[Israelite] nation. The New Testament reveals the Christ foretold by the Old Testament and of the resulting Christian religion, and deals with the history of the Lord's church of the first century(Matthew 16:18; Acts 2:41-47). The Old Testament is separated into five classes(Bible Handbook- A Guide For Basic Bible Learning): the Pentateuch["Five Scrolls"] or the Law, also known as the Torah[meaning "Teaching"](Genesis through Deuteronomy), the books of History(Joshua through Esther), Poetry(Job through The Song of Solomon), the Major Prophets(Isaiah through Daniel), and then the Minor Prophets(Hosea through Malachi). The New Testament is separated into five classes also: The Gospels or the Biography of the life of Christ, our perfect example(Matthew through John), the History of the Lord's body, the Kingdom of God, Christ's church(Acts), Paul's Epistles(Letters to the churches or to individuals:Romans through Hebrews), the General Epistles(Letters from: James through Jude), and then finally closing with the book of Prophesy(Revelation). These books were written by forty men, spreading from around 1500 B.C. to about 100 A.D., a period of 1,600 years from different countries spanning over 2,000 miles(Why We believe The Bible),covering 3 continents: Asia, Africa, and Europe(Changing Habits). The writers range from fishermen, shepherds, soldiers, and scholars to kings(Why Believe The Bible). Despite such distance in time and space, the Bible is an amazing example of continuity, with all the pieces of the puzzle matching perfectly(Biblical Studies In The Light Of Archaeology).
EVIDENCES
Napoleon Bonaparte of France was credited for the developing interest of Bible Land exploration and excavation(The Exodus Enigma). Historians and Archaeologists found numerous evidences supporting the historical accuracy of the Bible("Is The Bible Inspired?"The Restorer). The Hittite civilization [originally thought to be a myth] was found in Boghazkoy, Turkey(Genesis 23:10; 26:34). King Solomon's stables were found in Megiddo(First Kings 9:19; 10:26)]. Further examples include a stone inscription that was found mentioning King David's name, the tunnel of Siloam(2 Kings 20:20), a ration list with the names of King Jehoiachim and Nebuchnezzar(Second Kings 24), potsherds were found in Lachish that mentioned Jeremiah's name(Jeremiah 34:7), the courtyard "Pavement" where Jesus was tried(John 19:13), the tomb of Caiaphas[ the high priest who tried Jesus](Matthew 26:57). In Caesarea, an inscription of Pontius Pilate was found, and the altar to the unknown god in Athens(Acts 17:23) have been found by archaeologists(Bible Handbook- A Guide For Basic Bible Learning). In addition, the temple of Ashtoeth was found(First Samuel 31:10), as well as King Sargon's palace(Isaiah 20:1), and an inscription relating to Uzziah, King of Judah[who died about 779-59 B.C.](The Meaning Of The Dead Sea Scrolls). In December of 1996, Both Noah's Ark and the remains of Sodom and Gommorah have been found("Science Solves The Mysteries Of The Bible" Popular Mechanics). "These are tremendously important finds," state prominent archaeologists, "They will certainly cause anxiety for the skeptics"("Unearthing The Promised Land"U.S. News And World Report). Some grudgingly accept the existence of Abraham, Moses and Joshua, but they differ on specific dates. It is among many experts' opinions that Moses lived around 1500 B.C., though others argue closer toward 1400 B.C.(Who's Who In The Old Testament)
Evidence has been found in the case of Abraham, in that prominent archaeologists have stated "the saga of the Patriarchs is essentially historical" and that "there was such a person, that he was an Aramean or Amorite, the founder and head of a clan that later developed into the Hebrew nation, that he lived originally at Ur in Mesopotamia, that he and his people moved thence into northern Syria, and subsequently into Palestine, and that he lived in about the twentieth century before Christ"(The Exodus Enigma). In addition, they state that "Archaeology and the Bible match well in depicting the backdrop of the Patriarchal stories" (Biblical Archaeology Review). Doubters once thought that the story of Abraham was made up because camels were mentioned, which they argued that camels were not in Egypt until much later. Then a discovery in Egypt proved the accuracy of Abraham's camels(Journal Of Near Eastern Studies). The great city of Ur, named after king Urukl, had a wall four miles in circumference(Hours With The Bible), and was 88 feet thick(Guinness Book Of World Records).
Information such as Joseph being sold for 20 shekels(Genesis 57:28), and the treaties mentioned in the Bible all have archeological evidence supporting its accuracy. Haran has been found which was a city abandoned soon after Abraham and his father, Terah(Genesis 11:31,32) visited it. Experts state that it's "Highly improbable" that someone would have just invented the story. It had to be true("Who Wrote The Bible?"U.S. News And World Report). Concerning the 12 tribes of Israel, historians have learned that the "naming of a tribe after its ancestor, who was an actual person, not an imaginary figure, can be observed in other ancient texts" besides the Bible(The Lion Encyclopedia Of The Bible). Prominent Scholars also agree that the Book of Daniel was written centuries before some of the events prophesied, stating among the evidences that "all the names ... are strictly Babylonian, and could not have been invented in Palestine in the 2nd century before Christ," or 300 years later, as some doubters argue(Hours With The Bible). New "Bible related discoveries" crop up all the time("Are The Bible's Stories True?"Time), including the possible location of the Ark of the Covenant that the Jews carried(Biblical Archaeological Review).
While many scholarly types agree with the historical accuracy of the Bible, they don't believe in God, nor believe the miracles mentioned, and while they don't deny the miracles, they seek other explanations to allow them their freedom from God's Laws. Some critics still think the Bible is just a "collection of myths", but most scholars know that it is much more than just "Bible stories"(Meggido Messenger,Feb.1996). They state that "The observed facts do not cause serious concern, it is the interpretation of the facts, the inferences that are disturbing"(Conflict And Harmony In Science And The Bible). They also say that "Archaeology may give us a better understanding of the crucifixion and the tomb of Jesus Christ, but it can say nothing of his resurrection"("Who Wrote The Bible?"U.S. News And World Report). But denying and rebelling against the truth doesn't mean the truth isn't there.
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Science supports the Bible, even though the Bible never considers itself a book of Science(Science In The Bible), but rather a Book of Truth(John 17:17). The Bible mentions ocean currents(Psalms 8:8), The Law of Cause and Effect(Galatians 6:7,8), an earth that is round(Proverbs 8:27; Isaiah 40:22), the water cycle(Ecclesiastes 1:7; 11:3; Amos 9:6), the formation and process of static electricity(Jeremiah 10:13), continental drift[plate tectonics](Genesis 10:25), the stars are "suns", containing light(Genesis 1:16,17), the expanding universe(Genesis 1:8,14-19; Jeremiah 31:37), The Law of Bio-Genesis(Genesis 1:25), atoms and subatomic particles that make up all matter(Hebrews 11:3),the perfect seaworthy ratio[30:5:3] that most ocean vessels use(Genesis 6:13-15), both the First(Genesis 2:1) and the Second Laws of Thermodynamics(Hebrews 8:13), Mendel's Law of Genetics(Genesis 1:21,24,25; 6:19,20), and MANY other scientific truths. Until the invention of the telescope, scientists believed that only about 1,000 stars existed, not billions(Genesis 15:5; Jeremiah 33:22) that have been found[and still counting], leading scientists to state their number to be like the sand("Is The Bible Inspired?"The Restorer), similar to the Bible(Genesis 13:16). Scientists boast of discovering the five scientific fundamentals: Time, Force, Action, Space, and Matter. Astronomers used to say the universe was eternal, but now say it must have had a beginning("Unraveling The Universe"Time). Genesis 1:1 describes both here: "In the beginning", Time; "God", Force; "created", Action; "the heavens", Space; "and the earth", Matter(The Creation-Evolution Controversy). The logical and reasoning processes of the Scientific Method[Observation-Problem-Hypothesis-Experiment-Theory-Law], as well as known Constants, such as the Feigenbaum number(Guinness Book Of World Records), falls in line with the Bible(Acts 17:2,3,17; 18:4,19; 24:25; Hebrews 6:13-20). Medical Science has discovered the upper limit of the human life span to be 120 years of age("How To Live To Be 120"Time), which the Bible records as a fact, as well as of being God's decision(Genesis 6:3). In 1900 Karl Landsteiner discovered that blood is basically the same for all people, to which Doctor Charles Drew used this information in developing plasma(Encarta), which the Bible stated as fact almost 2,000 years before(Acts 17:26).
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Old Testament Prophesy, which history supports, describes events centuries before they even occurred(Understanding The Old Testament). For example, the Bible predicted the rise and fall of the Assyrian, Persian, and Roman Empires, all of which Archeology and History bear record(God's Prophetic Word). Babylon was prophesied to be completely destroyed, and to become a desert for beasts(Isaiah 13:19-22; Jeremiah 50:12,13; 51:25-42). Around 100 A.D. a drought destroyed the fertile land, and by 412 A.D. the canals filled due to lack of maintenance causing swamps, and the population dwindled. Around 1000 A.D. the Euphrates changed its course, drying up the region. When Benjamin of Tudela visited the area in 1250 A.D., he found only ruins, infested with scorpions and snakes(Has God Spoken?). Other examples abound, such as the destruction centuries later of Samaria(Micah 1:6), the cities of Edom(Ezekiel 25:13), Gaza(Zephaniah 2:4,6), and also of the Philistines(Jeremiah 47:5; Amos 1:8). Historians until the beginning of the 20th century doubted that Nebuchadnezzar conquered Egypt, following the prophesies of Jeremiah and Ezekiel, until a clay tablet was found in Egypt describing the King's actual invasion(Hours With The Bible). In addition, many Old Testament scriptures declare Christ's birth(Micah 5:2; Isaiah 7:14), of his life(Isaiah 42:1-8), his teachings(Deuteronomy 18:18) during the Roman Empire(Daniel 2:44), his miracles(Isaiah 35:5,6), of his betrayal(Psalms 41:9; Zechariah 11:10-13), of being spit on and beaten(Isaiah 50:6), of his death(Isaiah 53:1-12), of his resurrection(Psalms 16:10; 68:18), and the reason for his coming(Genesis 3:15; 22:18). The Holy Spirit guided the writers to tell about the major characters in an impartial, logical and infallible manner("Is The Bible Inspired?"The Restorer). David's sins and heroics are both told equally, in a calm manner. The death of Christ is written with the same style as when he ate with his disciples. Most historians would have told earthshattering events with many words, but the writers of the Bible wrote only enough to develop one's faith(John 20:31). God made sure that the Truth was written("How We Got The Bible" The Beacon Of Truth). God wants His Word to be known by man(Second Timothy 4:2).
The writers declared without speculating such powerful statements and in all confidence as: The nature of God(First John 4:8), the purpose of human existence(Ecclesiastes 12:13), the source of human suffering(James 4:1), and the afterlife(Hebrews 9:27). Human philosophers have guessed and argued on these things constantly for thousands of years. While philosophers have "magnified the frailty of the human condition", the Bible has "unlocked the meaning of life"("How We Got The Bible" The Beacon Of Truth), answering man's questions(Psalm 119:18). Truly, the Bible is timeless(First Peter 1:23). What was written then continues to be true today, unlike man's books(Science And The Bible). If the writers were not inspired, then they were among the greatest deceivers of all time(First Corinthians 15:15), following that of Jesus Christ(Hours With The Bible)! Jesus told things with authority, without speculation(Matthew 7:28,29; Luke 4:32), that he was the Messiah(John 4:26)!
Truly, there is plenty of evidence to show that the Bible IS the inspired Word of God.
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Questions:
1. What are the five books claiming inspiration by God?
2. Which one can science and history support as being accurate?
3. What are the five classes of the Old Testament?
4. What are the five classes of the New Testament?
5. What evidence can be found to support the Bible's accuracy?
6. What are the steps of the Scientific Method?
7. Why should we study the Bible?
8. What are most people's views about the Bible?
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