AIM T&DKnow Your Family History

Objectives – After this Teaching you should be able to….

Discuss who wrote the Bible?Discuss who put the Bible

together?Share why the Bible was written? Understand the landscape of the

Bible

Who Wrote the Bible?

2 Timothy 3:16 “all Scripture is inspired by God.” This means

that God used human authors to write but, in essence, gave them all of the thoughts and words that He fully intended

The Writing of the Bible

1600 Year Period40 Writers1500 BC to AD 100

Who Put the Bible Together?

The books chosen to be part of the “canon,” the fully revealed Word of God, were put together by counsels of godly men only decades after the documents were first written. They determined through much prayer, discussion, and analysis which writings had evidence of divine inspiration and which were writings of mere men.

Criteria for Writings to be Included in the “Canon” Bible

1) Was the author an apostle or have a close connection with an apostle?

2) Is the book being accepted by the body of Christ at large?

3) Did the book contain consistency of doctrine and orthodox teaching?

4) Did the book bear evidence of high moral and spiritual values that would reflect a work of the Holy Spirit?

Who Put the Bible Together?

See Handout

Why was the Bible written?

All Scripture is inspired by God and is profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; so that the man/woman of God may be adequately, equipped for every good work. 2 Tim 3:16-17

Why Was the Bible Written?

For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through the endurance taught in the Scriptures and the encouragement they provide we might have hope. Romans 15:4

Why Was the Bible Written?

11 Now all these things happened unto them for examples: and they are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come. See 1 Cor 10:6-11

Overview of the BibleSee Handout

The Divisions of the Bible

1 Big Book66 smaller books39 OT27 NT

Old Testament Overview

Law

History Poetry Major Prophets

Minor Prophets

Genesis Joshua Job Isaiah HoseaExodus Judges Psalms Jeremiah JoelLeviticus Ruth Proverbs Ezekiel AmosNumbers 1 Samuel Ecclesiastes Daniel ObadiahDeuteronomy 2 Samuel Song of

SolomonJonah

1 Kings Lamentations Micah2 Kings Nahum1 Chronicles Habakkuk2 Chronicles ZephaniahEzra HaggaiNehemiah ZechariahEsther Malachi

New Testament Overview

GospelAccounts

HistoricalAccount

Paul’s Letters Other Letters Future Prophecy

Matthew Acts Romans Hebrews RevelationMark 1 Corinthians JamesLuke 2 Corinthians 1 PeterJohn Galatians 2 Peter

Ephesians 1 JohnPhilippians 2 JohnColossians 3 John1 Thessalonians Jude2 Thessalonians1 Timothy2 TimothyTitusPhilemon

Overview of The Bible - Old Testament

Book Date Author Comments

Genesis 1445-1405 B.C. Moses Exodus 1445-1405 B.C. Moses Leviticus 1445-1405 B.C. Moses Numbers 1445-1405 B.C. Moses Deuteronomy 1445-1405 B.C. Moses Psalms 1410-450 B.C. Multiple Job Unknown “1400 B.C.” ? “Moses” ? Joshua 1405-1385 B.C. Joshua Judges 1043 B.C. Samuel Ruth 1030-1010 BC Samuel Song of Solomon 971-965 BC Solomon Proverbs 971-686 BC Solomon primarily Ecclesiastes 940-931 BC Solomon 1 Samuel 931-722 BC Anonymous 2 Samuel 931-722 BC Anonymous Obadiah 850-840 BC Obadiah Joel 835-796 B.C. Joel Jonah 775 B.C. Jonah Amos 750 B.C. Amos Micah 735-710 B.C. Micah Hosea 750-710 B.C. Hosea Isaiah 700-681-B.C. Isaiah Nahum 650 B.C. Nahum Zephaniah 635-625 B.C. Zephaniah Habakkuk 615-605 B.C. Habakkuk Ezekiel 590-570 B.C. Ezekiel Lamentations 586 B.C. Jeremiah Jeremiah 586-570 B.C. Jeremiah 1 Kings 561-538 B.C Anonymous 2 Kings 561-538 B.C. Anonymous Daniel 536-530 B.C. Daniel Haggai 520 B.C. Haggai Zechariah 480-470 B.C. Zechariah Ezra 457-444 B.C. Ezra 1 Chronicles 450-430 B.C. Ezra 2 Chronicles 450-430 B.C. Ezra Malachi 433-424 B.C. Malachi Esther 450-331 B.C. Anonymous Nehemiah 424-400 B.C. Ezra

Overview of The Bible - New Testament

Book Date Author Comments

James 44-49 A.D. James

Galatians 49-50 A.D. Paul

Matthew 50-60 A.D. Matthew

Mark 50-60 A.D. Mark

1 Thessalonians 51 A.D. Paul

2 Thessalonians 51-52 A.D. Paul

1 Corinthians 55 A.D. Paul

2 Corinthians 55-56 A.D. Paul

Romans 56 A.D. Paul

Luke 60-62 A.D. Luke

Ephesians 60-61 A.D. Paul

Philippians 60-62 A.D. Paul

Colossians 60-62 A.D. Paul

Philemon 60-62 A.D. Paul

Acts 62 A.D. Luke

1 Timothy 62-64 A.D. Paul

Titus 62-64 A.D. Paul

1 Peter 64-65 A.D. Peter

2 Timothy 66-67 A.D. Paul

2 Peter 67-68 A.D. Peter

Hebrews 67-69 A.D. Anonymous

Jude 68-70 A.D. Jude

John 80-90 A.D. John

1 John 90-95 A.D. John

2 John 90-95 A.D. John

3 John 90-95 A.D. John

Revelation 94-96 A.D. John

Summary

Who wrote the Bible?Who put the Bible together?Why was the Bible written? Tell me about the landscape of the Bible

# books?Years written?# Authors?Canon was put together in what year?What language was the Bible written?First translated into English (hand written)?Year(s) of first mass printing?

QUESTIONS

Chapters and VersesAll but 5 have chapters and verses

Obadiah, Philemon, 2 John, 3 John, JudeChapters introduced in 1238 Cardinal CaroVerse divisions were not added until 1551 by Robert

Stephanus of Paris

The Longest and ShortestLongest bookShortest bookLongest Chapter Shortest Chapter Longest VerseShortest Verse

The Bible Claims to be God’s Word“Thus Saith the Lord”2 Tim 3:16

How/When the Bible was “Put” Together

1800 AD1600 AD 500 AD 250 AD 100 AD

When was the Bible first translated into English

1380 AD1450 AD16010AD1700 AD

When was the Bible first Mass Printed

1500 AD1450 AD1600 AD1700 AD

~ How Many Years Between Adam and Abraham

200015001000

~ How Many Years Between Abraham and Jesus

200015001000

Accuracy of the Bible Writings of the early followers of ChristJosephus – Jewish HistorianTacitus – Roman HistorianDiscoveries routinely coming to light

ScientificArchaeological

The Business of the Bible168,000 bible given away dailyOver 1200 languages

The Bible Does Not Contradict ItselfNo contradictions

Written over 1600 year period40 authors

Prophecies of the BibleOver 3200 fulfilled propheciesOver 3100 unfulfilled prophecies

The Writers of the Bible40 people wrote the bibleSome wrote more than others

Paul wrote 13 books Moses wrote 5 books Solomon wrote 3,000 proverbs +

The first hand-written English language Bible manuscripts were produced in the 1380's AD by John Wycliffe, an Oxford professor, scholar, and theologian. Wycliffe, (also spelled “Wycliff” & “Wyclif”), was well-known throughout Europe for his opposition to the teaching of the organized Church, which he believed to be contrary to the Bible. With the help of his followers, called the Lollards, and his assistant Purvey, and many other faithful scribes, Wycliffe produced dozens of English language manuscript copies of the scriptures. They were translated out of the Latin Vulgate, which was the only source text available to Wycliffe. The Pope was so infuriated by his teachings and his translation of the Bible into English, that 44 years after Wycliffe had died, he ordered the bones to be dug-up, crushed, and scattered in the river!

Johann Gutenberg invented the printing press in the 1450's, and the first book to ever be printed was a Latin language Bible, printed in Mainz, Germany. Gutenberg’s Bibles were surprisingly beautiful, as each leaf Gutenberg printed was later colorfully hand-illuminated. Born as “Johann Gensfleisch” (John Gooseflesh), he preferred to be known as “Johann Gutenberg” (John Beautiful Mountain). Ironically, though he had created what many believe to be the most important invention in history, Gutenberg was a victim of unscrupulous business associates who took control of his business and left him in poverty. Nevertheless, the invention of the movable-type printing press meant that Bibles and books could finally be effectively produced in large quantities in a short period of time. This was essential to the success of the Reformation.

Johann Gutenberg invented the printing press in the 1450's, and the first book to ever be printed was a Latin language Bible, printed in Mainz, Germany. Gutenberg’s Bibles were surprisingly beautiful, as each leaf Gutenberg printed was later colorfully hand-illuminated. Born as “Johann Gensfleisch” (John Gooseflesh), he preferred to be known as “Johann Gutenberg” (John Beautiful Mountain). Ironically, though he had created what many believe to be the most important invention in history, Gutenberg was a victim of unscrupulous business associates who took control of his business and left him in poverty. Nevertheless, the invention of the movable-type printing press meant that Bibles and books could finally be effectively produced in large quantities in a short period of time. This was essential to the success of the Reformation.GUTENBERG, JOHANN (c. 1398—1468), German printer, is supposed to have been born 1398—1399 at Mainz of well-to-do parents, his father being Friele zum Gensfleisch and his mother Elsgen Wyrich, whose birthplace “Gutenberg”, was the name he adopted. The Germans, and most other people, contend that Gutenberg was the inventor of the art of printing with movable types.

Bible Was Written in….During the thousand years of its composition, almost the entire Old Testament was written in Hebrew. But a few chapters in the prophecies of Ezra and Daniel and one verse in Jeremiah were written in a language called Aramaic. This language became very popular in the ancient world and actually displaced many other languages. Aramaic even became the common language spoken in Israel in Jesus' time, and it was likely the language He spoke day by day. Some Aramaic words were even used by the Gospel writers in the New Testament.The New Testament, however, was written in Greek. This seems strange, since you might think it would be either Hebrew or Aramaic. However, Greek was the language of scholarship during the years of the composition of the New Testament from 50 to 100 AD. The fact is that many Jews could not even read Hebrew anymore, and this disturbed the Jewish leaders a lot! So, around 300 BC a translation of the Old Testament from Hebrew into Greek was undertaken, and it was completed around 200 BC. Gradually this Greek translation of the Old Testament, called the Septuagint, was widely accepted and was even used in many synagogues. It also became a wonderful missionary tool for the early Christians, for now the Greeks could read God's Word in their own tongue.So the New Testament authors wrote in Greek. They did not, however, use really high-class or classical Greek, but a very common and everyday type of Greek. For many years some scholars ridiculed the Greek of the New Testament because many of its words were strange to those who read the writings of the great Greek classical authors such as Plato and Aristotle. But later many records were uncovered of ordinary people, and amazingly there were the same common terms used in everyday speech! The ridicule dried up accordingly.