Don't Know Much About the Bible

1. The Bible is a Diverse Library, Not a Single Book.

So, in the most literal sense, the Bible is not a single book but an anthology, a collection of many small books.

More than a book. The term "Bible" comes from the Greek word "biblia," meaning "books." It's not a single narrative written by one author, but a collection of diverse writings spanning centuries and genres. Think of it as a portable library containing history, law, poetry, philosophy, and prophecy.

Different versions exist. The specific books included vary between Jewish, Catholic, and Protestant traditions.

• The Jewish Bible (Tanakh) contains 39 books, equivalent to the Christian Old Testament.
• The Catholic Bible includes additional books (Apocrypha or Deuterocanonical books) not found in the Jewish or most Protestant Bibles.
• The Christian Bible adds the 27 books of the New Testament, focusing on Jesus and the early church.

A collection of voices. This anthology reflects different perspectives, time periods, and purposes, contributing to the richness and complexity of the text. Understanding this collection nature is key to appreciating its varied content and occasional inconsistencies.

2. Its Composition Involved Centuries of Human Hands.

Centuries of research into the Bible presents a far more complicated picture: the Bible is the culmination of an extended process—covered with centuries of inky human fingerprints—of storytelling, writing, cutting and pasting, translating, and interpreting.

Beyond divine dictation. While many view the Bible as the direct, word-for-word dictation of God, scholarship reveals a long, human process. It began with oral traditions passed down through generations before being written down.

A long timeline. The earliest parts of the Hebrew scriptures date back over 3,000 years, with the collection and editing process continuing for centuries. The New Testament was composed over a shorter period, roughly 50-100 years after Jesus' death, also based on oral traditions and early writings.

Translation and interpretation. The Bible has been translated countless times across languages and cultures, each translation involving human choices and interpretations. This process, while making the text accessible, has also introduced variations and shaped understanding over time.

3. The Old Testament Was Woven from Multiple, Sometimes Conflicting, Sources.

With all these difficulties to consider, is it any wonder that people are confused by what the Bible says?

Not a single author. Contrary to traditional beliefs (like Moses writing the entire Torah), the Hebrew Bible is the work of multiple authors or groups, known as the Documentary Hypothesis (J, E, D, P). These sources were later edited together by a Redactor (R).

Evidence of multiple voices:

• Duplicate stories with differing details (e.g., two Creation accounts in Genesis).
• Different names used for God (Yahweh by J, Elohim by E).
• Contradictions in chronology, geography, and details.
• Anachronisms, mentioning things that didn't exist at the time of the story (e.g., camels in Abraham's time, Philistines in Isaac's time).

A complex tapestry. The Redactor wove these distinct strands together, sometimes leaving inconsistencies, suggesting a reverence for the source material even when it didn't perfectly align. This layered composition reflects the evolving understanding and traditions of the ancient Israelites.

4. Ancient Near Eastern Myths Influenced Biblical Narratives.

First, researchers have learned that some of what appears in the most ancient sections of the Bible, including some of the stories in Genesis, was probably “borrowed” from other more ancient civilizations, particularly those of Egypt and Babylon.

Shared cultural context. The ancient Israelites lived among powerful civilizations like Egypt and Mesopotamia, and their stories share common themes and motifs with older myths from these cultures. This doesn't diminish the Bible's uniqueness but places it within its historical and cultural context.

Examples of parallels:

• Creation accounts similar to Mesopotamian and Egyptian myths.
• The infant Moses story resembles the legend of Babylonian King Sargon.
• The Flood narrative has strong parallels in the Babylonian Gilgamesh epic.
• Laws in Exodus share similarities with the Code of Hammurabi.

Distinctive Israelite perspective. While borrowing elements, the biblical authors transformed these stories to reflect their unique monotheistic faith and the special covenant between God and Israel. They reshaped common folklore to convey their theological message and moral code.

5. Biblical Heroes and Laws Reflect a Complex, Often Uncomfortable, Ancient Society.

These aren’t the simplistic moralizing Sunday school tales of a bunch of “goody-goodies” who are well behaved and did exactly what God told them to do.

Flawed figures. The Bible's heroes, from Abraham to David, are depicted with striking realism, including their moral failings, betrayals, and violence. They are far from perfect, making their stories compelling and relatable, even when their actions are disturbing by modern standards.

Laws of a different era. The Mosaic Law contains rules governing every aspect of life, some of which are universal (like the Ten Commandments), while others reflect the specific social norms of a semi-nomadic desert culture 4,000 years ago. Many laws are ethically challenging today:

• Slavery is permitted and regulated.
• Strict rules for women's purity and subservience.
• Death penalty for numerous offenses (cursing parents, adultery, bestiality).
• Laws regarding virginity and bride-prices.

Context is crucial. Understanding the historical context is essential for interpreting these laws. What was acceptable or even progressive for that time (like limiting vengeance to "an eye for an eye") is not necessarily a universal moral standard for today.

6. The Exile in Babylon Profoundly Shaped Judaism and the Bible.

Despite the images of being enslaved or held captive in Babylon, things couldn’t have been all bad for the exiled Jews.

A turning point. The Babylonian Exile (586-538 BCE) was a pivotal event. The destruction of Jerusalem and the Temple forced Jews to adapt their religious practices, leading to the development of the synagogue and a greater emphasis on prayer, Torah study, and ritual purity outside of Temple sacrifice.

Theology of sin and redemption. The experience of exile reinforced the idea that their suffering was a consequence of national sin, strengthening the focus on repentance and God's justice, while also fostering hope for future restoration and a Messiah.

Biblical texts took shape. Much of the Hebrew scriptures, including the final editing of the Torah and the composition of historical and prophetic books, reached their present form during or immediately after the Exile. This period solidified the Jewish identity and their understanding of their relationship with God.

7. The New Testament Gospels Are Faith Accounts, Not Strict Biographies.

The authors of the Gospel weren’t journalists “covering” Jesus and eager to capture all the details of his daily life and report them in a larger historical context. They were devoted followers who wanted to give the world a version of the “Truth” as they had witnessed it.

Purpose over precision. The Gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke, John) were written decades after Jesus' death by believers aiming to proclaim their faith in him as the Messiah and Son of God, not to provide a chronological or historically verifiable biography. They are theological documents.

Inconsistencies exist. The four Gospels, even the "synoptic" ones (Matthew, Mark, Luke), contain significant differences in details, chronology, and events.

• Different accounts of Jesus' birth (Matthew vs. Luke).
• Variations in the order and content of events (e.g., the Temple cleansing).
• Different versions of Jesus' teachings (e.g., the Sermon on the Mount).
• Contradictory details (e.g., the census date in Luke, the number of demoniacs healed).

Multiple sources and traditions. The Gospel writers likely drew upon various oral traditions and earlier written sources (like the theoretical "Q" document and Mark's Gospel) to compose their narratives, each shaping the story to address the specific needs and understanding of their intended audience.

8. Popular Nativity Stories Differ Significantly from Biblical Accounts.

The elaborate stories and songs woven around Christmas are all part of a complex set of myths and traditions that has little to do with the biblical account of Jesus’ birth.

Beyond the familiar. Many cherished elements of the Christmas story are not found in the Bible or are based on later traditions and interpretations. The popular narrative often merges conflicting details from Matthew and Luke.

Biblical discrepancies and omissions:

• Jesus was likely not born on December 25th; the date was chosen later, possibly to align with pagan festivals.
• The year of Jesus' birth is uncertain, with Gospel accounts conflicting by several years and contradicting historical records (census, Herod's death).
• Matthew and Luke offer different reasons for Joseph and Mary being in Bethlehem.
• Only Matthew mentions the "wise men" (Magi), who were likely Persian astrologers, not kings, and their number is not specified as three.
• Only Luke mentions the shepherds visiting the infant Jesus.
• The "Slaughter of the Innocents" by Herod is only in Matthew and lacks historical corroboration.

Faith shaped the narrative. These details were often included or emphasized by the Gospel writers to connect Jesus' life to Hebrew prophecies and themes (like Jesus as a new Moses), rather than strictly recording historical facts. Later traditions further embellished these stories.

9. Jesus' Teachings Were Often Radical and Demanding.

Jesus often said challenging, demanding things. He said confusing things. He even said contradictory things.

Beyond simple slogans. While some of Jesus' teachings are widely embraced (like the Golden Rule), others are difficult, counter-cultural, and seemingly impossible to follow literally. He often pushed his followers beyond the conventional understanding of the Law.

Challenging traditional norms:

• Demanding love for enemies and turning the other cheek.
• Stating that lustful thoughts are equivalent to adultery.
• Suggesting radical actions like cutting off offending body parts.
• Declaring it easier for a camel (or cable) to pass through a needle's eye than for a rich person to enter heaven.
• Prioritizing faith and spiritual connection over strict adherence to ritual law.

Inner vs. outer piety. Jesus often criticized outward displays of religious devotion (like public prayer or fasting) when they weren't accompanied by genuine inner transformation and mercy. He emphasized the importance of the heart's intentions.

10. The Early Christian Church Faced Internal Divisions and External Persecution.

The beginnings of the Christian church were not like some Mickey Rooney—Judy Garland movie in which the kids say, “Let’s put a show.”

Persecution and survival. After Jesus' ascension, his followers faced immediate persecution, first from some Jewish authorities (leading to Stephen's stoning) and later from the powerful Roman Empire (under emperors like Nero and Domitian). This external pressure shaped the early church's identity and message.

Internal conflicts. The early Christian community was not monolithic. Significant debates arose over fundamental issues:

• Whether Gentile converts needed to follow Jewish Law (circumcision, dietary rules).
• The nature of Jesus' divinity and resurrection (physical vs. spiritual).
• The role of women in the church.
• The authority of different leaders and teachings (e.g., Paul vs. Jewish Christians, later Gnostics).

Acts tells the story. The book of Acts chronicles this period, highlighting the spread of the gospel despite opposition, the miraculous empowerment of the apostles (Pentecost), and the crucial council in Jerusalem that opened Christianity to the Gentile world. It also shows early challenges like hypocrisy (Ananias and Sapphira).

11. Paul's Letters Defined Early Christianity, Raising Enduring Questions.

If Jesus “invented” Christianity, Paul “marketed” it to the world.

Architect of the church. Paul, a zealous Pharisee who became a fervent follower of Jesus after a dramatic conversion, played a pivotal role in transforming Christianity from a Jewish sect into a distinct religion reaching the Gentile world. His extensive missionary journeys and letters were foundational.

Letters as early doctrine. Written before the Gospels were widely circulated, Paul's letters provided theological guidance, practical advice, and warnings to nascent Christian communities across the Mediterranean. They are the earliest written documents of the New Testament.

Controversial views. While central to Christian theology (especially the doctrine of salvation by faith), some of Paul's views remain controversial today:

• His condemnation of certain sexual practices.
• Statements regarding the role and silence of women in the church.
• His complex relationship with Jewish Law and his fellow Jews.

Context and interpretation. Understanding Paul requires considering his historical context as a Jew, Greek, and Roman citizen. His writings reflect the social norms of his time, leading to ongoing debate about which of his teachings are universal truths and which were specific to the first century.

Last updated: May 6, 2025