Where do I start? What is the Bible? part 1

In making the decision of where to start in posting to this blog, I have had to decide which topic to begin with. If truth be told, I have several posts that I have sitting as drafts right now on different subjects.  As I stated in my last post, I have been having a hard time keeping on track in my studies because when I am searching out one subject,  I see something else that I want to know more about. This in turn leads me to jump from one subject to another and then back to another. As I am sitting here writing this post, I was sure of what topic I was going to start with,  but alas, I have had another one come to mind. I truly believe that it is the best topic to begin with.

Our first topic is going to be the Bible. What is it? Who wrote it?  Is it something that we need to know about? How do we apply what is in it to our lives?

What is the Bible?
Here is the definition of the bible:

bi·ble

\ˈbī-bəl\noun

the Bible : the book of sacred writings used in the Christian religion

: the book of sacred writings used in the Jewish religion

Bible : a copy or edition of the Bible

Full Definition

1

capitalized

b :the sacred scriptures of some other religion (as Judaism)

Who wrote the Bible? 

This question has and is one that has been asked many times over a very long period of time.  Some people say that Yahweh  (God) wrote it. Other people say man wrote it. But who is right?  Well in essence,  both are right. Yahweh did not sit down with pen and paper and physically write the Bible that part was done by man. BUT  it is the  writings of men that are from the very breath of Yahweh (see 2 Timothy 3:16; 2 Peter  1:21) .  The Greek word for this is theopneustos. Here is the definition:

h1. G2315

Original: *θεόπνευστος*

Transliteration: *theopneustos*

Phonetic: *theh-op'-nyoo-stos*

*Thayer Definition*:

# inspired by God
## the contents of the scriptures

Origin: from [[d 2316]] and a presumed derivative of [[d 4154]]

TDNT entry: 13:33,9

Part(s) of speech: Adjective

*Strong's Definition*: From [[G2316]] and a presumed derivative of [[G4154]]; _divinely breathed_ in: - given by inspiration of God.

Here are several translations of 2 Timothy 3 : 16

*[[2 Timothy 3:16]]

*BBE* Every holy Writing which comes from God is of profit for teaching, for training, for guiding, for education in righteousness:

*EasyEnglish* Everything that the Bible says comes from God’s Spirit. And we can use the Bible to teach what is true. We can use it to tell people when they are doing wrong things. It shows them what is right. Also, with the Bible, we can teach people how to live good lives.

*ISV* All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness,

*KJV* All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:

*KJV* All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:

*NET* Every scripture is inspired by God and useful for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness,

*WEB* Every Scripture is God-breathed and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for instruction in righteousness,

*[[2 Peter 1:21]]

*BBE* For these words did not ever come through the impulse of men: but the prophets had them from God, being moved by the Holy Spirit.

*EasyEnglish* None of the prophets’ messages came from what a human person wanted to say. Instead, God’s Spirit caused people to speak words that came from God.

*ISV* because no prophecy ever originated through a human decision. Instead, men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.

*KJV* For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.

*KJV* For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.

*NET* for no prophecy was ever borne of human impulse; rather, men carried along by the Holy Spirit spoke from God.

*WEB* For no prophecy ever came by the will of man: but holy men of God spoke, being moved by the Holy Spirit.

In the next segment, we will look at such questions as Why was the Bible written?  Who was it written for?

Shalom