Introducing the Bible

All scripture is God-breathed and valuable for teaching the truth, convicting of sin, correcting faults, and training in right living. Thus, anyone who belongs to God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work (2 Timothy 3:16-17). The four purposes of the Bible are given in those two verses. The English word "Bible" is derived from  Koinē Greek and means "the books." The word itself had the literal meaning of "paper" or "scroll" and came to be used as the common word for "book" (Bible- Wikipedia). "Scripture" is the sacred writings of a particular religion ("Scripture"- Google Dictionary). When referring to scripture in my writing, I am constantly referring to Christianity's holy writings in the Bible. The two major divisions of the Bible are the Old Testament and New Testament. The word "testament," in biblical use, is a covenant or dispensation ("Testament"- Google Dictionary). The Old Testament has 39 books, and the New Testament has 27 books.

The divisions of the Bible are not as canonized as its contents, however. Christians usually divide the Old Testament into four sections: Law, History, Poetry, and Prophets. Within the prophets, some divide them between the major and minor prophets. This does not mean that the major prophets were more important than the minor prophets, but the major prophets wrote more.

The Hebrews, from which the Old Testament originated, divide it up differently, using three significant divisions rather than four: Law, Prophets, Writings. Jesus himself used this order. Jesus said to them, “While I was still with you, I told you that everything written about me in the Law of Moses, the Books of the Prophets, and in the Psalms had to happen" (Luke 24:44). Because this was the original order by the Jewish people and the one Jesus referenced, I prefer this one as the one we should be using. But we don't and, because there is a difference, I thought it was worth noting.

There are also four major groups into which the New Testament is divided: Gospels, Acts, Epistles, and Revelation.

Though the Bible is a book written by approximately three dozen different authors over about 1,500 years, it is wholly unique in that it contains a unified, consistent, non-contradictory message throughout. Thus, the best interpreter of scripture is not the reader but the Bible itself. It is its own commentary on a level that no other book can claim. This is a demonstration of its divine origin because it is both unified and diverse. The human authors lived at different times in different places under different circumstances, yet the same Holy Spirit was a part of the process for all of them. The Bible is the written word of the one true God. Although God breathed the Bible's words, he used men to write down his words, making sure that it was perfect with no inconsistencies. It is a collection of books on many different subjects but with a unified theme. That unified theme is Jesus Christ. Jesus said, "The scriptures say that the Messiah must suffer, then three days later, he will rise from death. They also say that all people of every nation must be told in my name to turn to God to be forgiven" (Luke 24:46-47).