Who Wrote the Bible?

March 24, 2025

“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 3:16-17)

Was the Bible written by humans or did God write it? The answer is, yes! The Bible is a divine-human collaboration that we Christians affirm as both divinely inspired[1]and written by real people.[2] It wasn’t handed down on golden tablets, nor was it merely human religious speculation.[3] Rather, scripture was inspired – breathed out – by the Holy Spirit working in humans, and the human authors actively participated in its composition. They were guided, but not robotically controlled, by God’s Spirit. Through this divine-human collaboration, the Bible reveals God’s love, character, and will.

This is important because who wrote the Bible affects how we read it. If we consider it to be only human wisdom, then it’s open to debate, revision, or even dismissal. And if we presume that it’s purely divine dictation, we risk the distortion of its meaning by taking it out of context and potentially damaging its credibility. But when we recognize that it’s both, we can see the beauty of our God who works through real people in real history to communicate timeless truths.

Real People and Real History

The Bible is a collection of works from over forty authors spanning roughly 1,500 years. These authors came from all walks of life – kings, prophets, fishermen, shepherds, and even a tax collector. Because of this, the Bible isn’t simply one book: it’s more like an entire library of books. The Bible is a grand record of God’s interaction with his chosen people and ultimately his choosing of all who will believe, written by many hands across generations, cultures, and eras. It is packed with epic stories, heartfelt poems, fiery prophecies, and powerful sermons. Each book was written to real people, addressing their struggles, hopes, and spiritual needs.

While it was originally written to others, it was also written for our benefit. When we read the prophets and the apostles, we are reading ever-relevant words across the centuries, like literary time travelers drawing wisdom and timeless truths from the past. However, as we travel, we must wisely remember that we are guests in the world of the Bible, and we must not ignore the culture of its original audience and the historical setting of their writings, lest we misunderstand them.

For example, one could read Paul’s writings related to slaves and masters in his letters to the Ephesians and Philemon and presume he is endorsing the slavery prevalent in our early American culture. However, when we consider the cultural context of ‘bondservants’, the heart and character of God as revealed in scripture, and the whole counsel of scripture, we realize that God values and loves every human being equally and desires all to be free from bondage and oppression. Although we cannot always be sure of the exact cultural context, there is safety in considering the whole counsel of scripture, referencing the life and teachings of Jesus and his apostles to help us properly discern the weighty matters, while not neglecting the smaller.

There is also a danger in overemphasizing the human authorship of scripture. If we reduce the Bible to simply an ancient religious text, we risk treating it as nothing more than inspirational literature, like an old book of fairytales. We believe the Bible is so much more than that. These writings, while penned by humans, were also divinely inspired, not merely reflections on God, but revelations from God.

God’s Thoughts in Human Language

The God who spoke to Abraham, Moses, and David is the same God who walked in Galilee and the same God we worship today. The Spirit who descended in fire on Mount Sinai is the one who wrote His law on human hearts at Pentecost. God’s constancy is why the message of scripture remains consistent across time and cultures.

-------------------------------------- Continued portion below --------------------------------------

The world has changed in many ways since these words were written. Empires have risen and fallen, languages have evolved, and technology has reshaped our daily lives, but the truth of God’s Word remains. God’s words transcend time, speaking to ancient Israel, the early church, and to us in the 21st century.

Recognizing the importance of respecting the cultural and historical context of the biblical authors and audience isn't merely an academic exercise but a vital step in discerning the message of many scriptural passages before we seek to apply its principles. It’s prudent to approach each passage with the goal of understanding what it intended to communicate to its original audience. Then, we bring it into our own context by identifying the teachings that transcend culture and time. Skipping the first step can lead to misinterpretation, as we demonstrated with passages related to slavery. Ultimately, we must apply the principle to the way we live, bringing our lives into alignment with God’s instruction.

A careful look at scripture reveals numerous human elements. A modern skeptic might say, “See, these are human words and ideas, not those of a god.” If we retain a notion of divine dictation, the credibility of the Bible may be undermined by these facts. However, we do not hold to such a simple understanding of inspiration. We believe that God speaks through human authors, and His truth is breathed into their writings.

The Word of God in Human Hands

When we acknowledge both the human and divine authorship of Scripture, we approach the Bible with deep reverence. We recognize that the messages of the Bible profoundly impacted the hearts of our spiritual forefathers, and we humbly seek to view it through their eyes before applying our own. Because it is God’s Word, we believe it holds supreme authority over our lives. Therefore, we come often to its pages. In doing so, we gain a deeper understanding. The Bible is a grand, unfolding narrative that ultimately leads us to Jesus. It is not merely a collection of disconnected spiritual truths; it is the history of God’s redemptive plan, revealed in real time and space. The messages of the scripture are clear. Believe and love God, love your neighbor, and love your enemy. These transcend time, geography, and culture.

When we ponder how we have received God’s written word, it’s astonishing – almost unthinkable – that God would choose to work this way. The all-powerful Creator of the universe entrusted His infallible truth to fallible humans, allowing his transcendent thoughts to be expressed in human language, within human history, with all its limitations and complexities.

Yet this book has endured and humbled kings and transformed entire nations. It has been misused to validate wars, yet it has also called for justice, forgiveness, and reconciliation. It has sparked revivals and brought comfort to the brokenhearted for generations. In a way, the Bible reflects Jesus Himself. Jesus is God clothed in humanity for the sake of humanity. The Bible is divinely inspired yet human in substance, eternal yet written in time. Like Jesus, its message remains relevant, powerful, and always leads us back to God.

[1] 2 Timothy 3:16

[2] John 20:30-31

[3] 2 Peter 1:20-21

< Older Post

Newer Post >

Always thankful

October 21, 2026

As we approach the end of fall and the harvest season, we often focus our attention on Thanksgiving Day. We are fortunate to live in a land that recognizes the need to pause and give thanks to our great God for the many blessings he bestows upon us. However, the Bible calls us to be thankful in all times and circumstances – not just once a year. “O give thanks unto the Lord, for he is good.” [i] “In every thing give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.” [ii] These two verses are similar and yet can be interpreted differently if quoted in isolation. Thanking God for his goodness seems an easy commandment to obey; however, some circumstances are more difficult to appreciate. Giving thanks or being thankful is referenced over one hundred times in scripture. And naturally it can seem easier to give thanks when circumstances are pleasing. It is easier to thank God when a loved one repents. It is easier to thank him when we are sitting in church, listening to his Word, worshipping in song, surrounded by faithful believers. It is easier to recite 1 Thess. 5:18 when the trials of life are light and well-spaced. But what happens when life is not going well, circumstances seem impossible, or difficulties seem to pile up? Can we have thankful posture in dire situations or through sad experiences? It is clear in the Bible that by God’s grace and with intentional effort, we can have a thankful spirit and respect toward God even when the load is heavy. Scriptures in Job provide an excellent Old Testament example. After hearing a series of devastating reports about his family and possessions, Job was able to say “The Lord gave, and the Lord hath taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord.” [iii] After being struck with sore boils from the sole of his foot to his crown and having been ridiculed by his wife for retaining his integrity, Job said “Shall we receive good at the hand of God, and shall we not receive evil?” [iv] Job did not minimize the pain of the evil he was experiencing, but in the midst of the devastation he focused his attention on the goodness and faithfulness of God. Likewise, the disciples in the New Testament were often faced with seemingly insurmountable obstacles as they spread the Word of God. Yet they looked upon their afflictions as a privilege. After being beaten and commanded to not speak in the name of Jesus, “They departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for his name.” [v] At the same time, when Stephen was stoned, they grieved deeply at the devastating loss, yet trusted in God’s grace and goodness to see them through and somehow redeem the worst of circumstances. -----------------CONTINUED PORTION BELOW-------------------- Remembering the Lord's graciousness and track record of bringing good out of evil can help us maintain a thankful heart despite the challenges we face. Whether amidst hard circumstances or easy, we can focus on the goodness and faithfulness of God. Without intentional focus, we can tend to overlook gratitude when life is good because the very simple and basic needs of life are so easily realized. An abundance of material blessings can lead us to take basic needs for granted. However, being grounded in a thankful spirit can help carry us when sometimes things do not seem abundant. Simple disciplines or practices can help us foster this thankful spirit. Taking the time to pause and write a list of all we have received from God, giving him thanks for his goodness can help us turn from an entitled mindset toward a thankful mindset. Remembering God's goodness can be especially helpful when life is hard. The practice of gratitude journaling helps us remain focused on God above all during these overwhelming times. Beyond the physical needs that can be so easy to count, he also provides many spiritual blessings. In time of need, he provides us with an abundance of grace that gives us love we do not deserve and helps us serve him in ways far beyond what we could do of our own ability. God’s wisdom and his compassion assure us that he will provide for all our needs, and yet he will also withhold what is harmful if we will allow him to do so. He knows our needs and in his infinite wisdom he will supply all our needs. A practice of worshipping God can also help grow our spiritual life and encourage grateful hearts. God’s truths can be engraved into our minds as we sing and praise him, no matter the circumstances. In addition, our church body encourages us to connect, travel, and grow together as believers, helping one another during both joyous and hard times in life. This spiritual connection with others is a spiritual blessing that can easily be forgotten. Finally, many of us have been born into families where we were taught the truth of God’s Word, being exposed since we were young to the promise of salvation through Jesus Christ and the knowledge of our great and loving God whom we can call Father. This thankful spirit is often born out of knowing the Father, whose image we carry. Having a clear vision and understanding of God’s character and attributes can help us develop a thankful spirit. Among the many reasons to thank God are his power, his grace, and his mercy. We thank him for the love he showed when he sent his only begotten son, allowing us to have forgiveness of our sins and victory over death through repentance, confession, and faith in his name. He provides his Word, giving us a perfect source of wisdom and direction for our lives. His Holy Spirit provides believers with comfort, conviction, and guidance toward all truth. In addition, there are many other attributes of God to consider such as his goodness, presence, sustenance, protection, and many more. The implications for our lives of the many attributes in this list, which could be much longer, are beyond human comprehension but worth contemplating more deeply as we practice a life of gratitude. Whether you are in a joyous time of life or a time when life is difficult, may the remembrance of these many truths provide a new understanding to the Scripture’s challenge to, “In every thing, give thanks.” [vi] May this Thanksgiving holiday remind you of our great and good God, the loving sacrifice of Jesus, and the faithful presence of the Holy Spirit who has come to guide us not only in the good, but also in the difficult of life. And may this testimony of thankfulness greatly affect our own lives and the lives of those around us. [i] Psalm 107:1 [ii] I Thess. 5:18 [iii] Job 1:21 [iv] Job 2:10 [v] Acts 5:41 [vi] I Thess. 5:18