Bible origins?

[A Mighty Pea]

This might be an annoying question for some, and an exciting challenge for others. Now, I have full faith that the bible is the inspired word of God, and that it was put together to become what it is today under God's divine guidance. HOWEVER... Not everyone does... and I recently met someone who has asked me how I know that way back in the day when whoever put it together didn't pick and choose what books went in, and how do we know that people didn't change things to further their own interests here and there? I do NOT have much wisdom when it comes to this... I basically just believe it because I believe it. I agree that we shouldn't just blindly swallow whatever we read, and I believe that God WANTS us to challenge what we read in the bible in our own lives in order to discover it is in fact true. But can anyone help me out with the history of how the bible was put together? I don't need total indepth, just basic rundown. I am sure that others have met people with the same question... it seems to be one of those ageless ever-present questions of non-believers (along with "why would God let babies be killed in the bible" and other classics). But unfortunately, I don't feel like I really know how to answer! I did read the beginning of the gospel of John.. "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. In him was life, and that life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, but the darkness has not understood it." But I think that is referring to Christ, not necessarily the bible as the written word of God... and so I am confused. I know what I believe, but I don't know how to explain it to someone else!

[Trusting Jesus]

Here's a couple of articles that might help answer your question:

http://www.gotquestions.org/Bible-God-Word.html

http://www.gotquestions.org/canon-Bible.html

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Nathele

[mizzdy]

Howdy,

I know what your saying! This back and forth with non believers and even amounst many believers. When I first encountered this topic I tried very hard to wade through all the manuscript arguements and all. It can be faith rattling if one lets it get to them. I have read several books by both sides of the isle and found one that just did it for me but I don't know if I can say the name of the book/author here on this board. Anyone know? Anyhoo. In my time on forums I have found that no matter what you say to someone who doesn't believe there is no convincing.

It does seem that through some of the early church writers and the MSS we have that we can safely say we could recreate most of the entire NT as well as OT. Although we do have the dead sea scrolls to attest to much of the entire OT. No we do not have the very first written testomines but copies of copies. Yet very well maintained and carefully copied. I have read that a scribal school from the early OT times was still in existance during the earliest part of the church. I personally have not researched that one out though. I try not to get in a debate with anyone about how the bible was put together, it's almost as bad as the creation/evolution topic. There are of course tons of info online just becareful wading through some of it there are some real nasties out there.

[Fraught]

This might be an annoying question for some, and an exciting challenge for others. Now, I have full faith that the bible is the inspired word of God, and that it was put together to become what it is today under God's divine guidance. HOWEVER... Not everyone does... and I recently met someone who has asked me how I know that way back in the day when whoever put it together didn't pick and choose what books went in, and how do we know that people didn't change things to further their own interests here and there? I do NOT have much wisdom when it comes to this... I basically just believe it because I believe it. I agree that we shouldn't just blindly swallow whatever we read, and I believe that God WANTS us to challenge what we read in the bible in our own lives in order to discover it is in fact true. But can anyone help me out with the history of how the bible was put together? I don't need total indepth, just basic rundown. I am sure that others have met people with the same question... it seems to be one of those ageless ever-present questions of non-believers (along with "why would God let babies be killed in the bible" and other classics). But unfortunately, I don't feel like I really know how to answer! I did read the beginning of the gospel of John.. "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. In him was life, and that life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, but the darkness has not understood it." But I think that is referring to Christ, not necessarily the bible as the written word of God... and so I am confused. I know what I believe, but I don't know how to explain it to someone else!

this is one of those things that seem to be a problem but is not. there is one common theme running through the entire bible. every book of it authenticates another. the o.t. refers to the n.t. and the n.t. refers to the o.t. one story develops throughout. sure you can nitpik apart certain things, especially the parts dealing with history and culture but every piece of it is referring to one common theme still.

i always think of it as if an event was being debated today in a court of law. the biblical writers are eyewitnesses. do their stories corroborate each other? yes, they do. is there any historical evidence to deny their claims? no, there isn't. the issue of leaving something out is a non-issue. that actually happened but it was more of the same common theme anyway so leaving it out didn't change anything. adding to it to further their own interests? that's just crazy. what interests? i can't think of a single verse in the bible that would further anyone's best interest but my own and God's. can you?

[Guest]

And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son.

He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life.

These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God.

1 John 5:11-13 (King James Version)

But I think that is referring to Christ, not necessarily the bible as the written word of God...

Good Question

The Master's Voice

3 "You are already clean because of the word which I have spoken to you. John 15:3 (New American Standard Bible)

God Breathed

16 All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; 2 Timothy 3:16 (New American Standard Bible)

God Touched

9 Then the LORD stretched out His hand and touched my mouth, and the LORD said to me, "Behold, I have put My words in your mouth. Jeremiah 1:9 (New American Standard Bible)

God Willed

21 for no prophecy was ever made by an act of human will, but men moved by the Holy Spirit spoke from God. 2 Peter 1:21 (New American Standard Bible)

God Kept

18 "For truly I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away, not the smallest letter or stroke shall pass from the Law until all is accomplished. Matthew 5:18 (New American Standard Bible)

God's Food

4 But He answered and said, "It is written, 'MAN SHALL NOT LIVE ON BREAD ALONE, BUT ON EVERY WORD THAT PROCEEDS OUT OF THE MOUTH OF GOD.'" Matthew 4:4 (New American Standard Bible)

Any Help?

The Book Opens To The True Seeker

13 'You will seek Me and find Me when you search for Me with all your heart. Jeremiah 29:13 (New American Standard Bible)

Be Blessed Beloved Of The KING

22 Then the LORD spoke to Moses, saying,

23 "Speak to Aaron and to his sons, saying, 'Thus you shall bless the sons of Israel. You shall say to them:

24 The LORD bless you, and keep you;

25 The LORD make His face shine on you, And be gracious to you;

26 The LORD lift up His countenance on you, And give you peace.'"

27 "So they shall invoke My name on the sons of Israel, and I then will bless them." Numbers 6:22-27 (New American Standard Bible)

Love, Your Brother Joe

[TM75]

This might be an annoying question for some, and an exciting challenge for others. Now, I have full faith that the bible is the inspired word of God, and that it was put together to become what it is today under God's divine guidance. HOWEVER... Not everyone does... and I recently met someone who has asked me how I know that way back in the day when whoever put it together didn't pick and choose what books went in, and how do we know that people didn't change things to further their own interests here and there? I do NOT have much wisdom when it comes to this... I basically just believe it because I believe it. I agree that we shouldn't just blindly swallow whatever we read, and I believe that God WANTS us to challenge what we read in the bible in our own lives in order to discover it is in fact true. But can anyone help me out with the history of how the bible was put together? I don't need total indepth, just basic rundown. I am sure that others have met people with the same question... it seems to be one of those ageless ever-present questions of non-believers (along with "why would God let babies be killed in the bible" and other classics). But unfortunately, I don't feel like I really know how to answer! I did read the beginning of the gospel of John.. "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. In him was life, and that life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, but the darkness has not understood it." But I think that is referring to Christ, not necessarily the bible as the written word of God... and so I am confused. I know what I believe, but I don't know how to explain it to someone else!

The Bible was translated by Reformer William Tyndale, his New Testament was finalized in the 1526 version from the greek texts, which are better manuscripts than those used by Geneva, King james and New American standard bibles. THe final English Old Testament should be contained in the sometimes hard to read 1537 Thomas Matthew Bible. These two form a canon of the written word of God, preached by the Lord Christ Jesus. If you need more history look it up. The King James cut out a good percantage ofthe tyndale.

Today's churches all use substandard bibles

[Openly Curious]

This might be an annoying question for some, and an exciting challenge for others. Now, I have full faith that the bible is the inspired word of God, and that it was put together to become what it is today under God's divine guidance. HOWEVER... Not everyone does... and I recently met someone who has asked me how I know that way back in the day when whoever put it together didn't pick and choose what books went in, and how do we know that people didn't change things to further their own interests here and there? I do NOT have much wisdom when it comes to this... I basically just believe it because I believe it. I agree that we shouldn't just blindly swallow whatever we read, and I believe that God WANTS us to challenge what we read in the bible in our own lives in order to discover it is in fact true. But can anyone help me out with the history of how the bible was put together? I don't need total indepth, just basic rundown. I am sure that others have met people with the same question... it seems to be one of those ageless ever-present questions of non-believers (along with "why would God let babies be killed in the bible" and other classics). But unfortunately, I don't feel like I really know how to answer! I did read the beginning of the gospel of John.. "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. In him was life, and that life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, but the darkness has not understood it." But I think that is referring to Christ, not necessarily the bible as the written word of God... and so I am confused. I know what I believe, but I don't know how to explain it to someone else!

Hello A Mighty Pea,

It tells us in the Word of God how the Bible came about.

Hebrews 1:1-2--"God who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in times past unto the fathers by the prophets. Hath in these last days spoken unto us by His Son whom he hath appointed heir of all things by whom also he made the worlds."

Then it says in the book of Timothy.

2 Timothy 3:16-17--"All scriptues 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, thoroughly furnished unto all good work."

The problem with trying to defend the Bible against attacks by unbelievers is that there not likely to accept what the bible says about it's self. The book stores are full of information supposedly giving us the history of how the bible came to be. Documentries are shown on TV dicussion how the bible came to be. The message most would like you to recieve from these critics is that the possibility that certain books were included that perhaps that shouldn't have been and that some book were left out that should have been included and these decisions were made by men without direction from God. There is a certain amount of faith required to believe that the bible is the word of God and that God was able to preserve his word against attacks by those who desired to pervert it. I guess what I am trying to say is that if a person is determined to reject God or the Bible it is not that hard to find other unbelievers calling themselves historians to support their arguments. I would suggest that in addition to trying to reason with this unbeliever that you also pray that God would take the scales off his eyes that he could see the truth.

have to believe the Bible is the Bible and you have to do it by Faith Alone either you do or you simply don't

I hope this will help you in you confusion

OC

[mead]

I can relate to this feeling, I would think that with free will to choose, that we would question many things. But as we draw near to God, He will pull close to us.

[Openly Curious]

I can relate to this feeling, I would think that with free will to choose, that we would question many things. But as we draw near to God, He will pull close to us.

Yes mead4935 that is a blessed promise to us, "if we draw near to God he will draw near to us." And free will is just that either we will believe or we will be a non-believer in the matter God bless

OC

[ayin jade]

Well now I got curious about the Matthews/ Tyndale bible. So I looked it up. It was hard to find online. KJV Matthews bible

Psa 23:1 <A Psalm of David.> The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.

The Lord is my shepherd, I can want nothing.

Psa 23:2 He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters.

He feedeth me in a green pasture, and leadeth me to a fresh water.

Psa 23:3 He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake.

He quickeneth my soul, and bringeth me forth in the way of righteousness for his names sake.

Psa 23:4 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.

Though I should walk now in the valley of the shadow of death, yet I fear no evil, for thou art with me: thy staff and thy sheep hook comfort me.

Psa 23:5 Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.

Thou preparest a table before me against mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil, and fillest my cup full.

Psa 23:6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever.

Oh let thy loving kindness and mercy follow me all the days of my life, that I may dwell in the house of the Lord forever.

Matthew 5:1-12

Mat 5:1 And seeing the multitudes, he went up into a mountain: and when he was set, his disciples came unto him:

1 When he sawe the people he went vp into a mountayne and when he was set his disciples came to hym(Tyndale)

When he saw the people he went up into a mountain, and when he was set, his disciples came to him, (Matthews)

Mat 5:2 And he opened his mouth, and taught them, saying,

2 and he opened hys mouthe and taught them sayinge:(Tyndale)

and he opened his mouth, and taught them saying: (Matthews)

Mat 5:3 Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

3 Blessed are the povre in sprete: for theirs is the kyngdome of heven.(Tyndale)

Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. (Matthews)

Mat 5:4 Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted.

4 Blessed are they that morne: for they shalbe conforted.(Tyndale)

Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted. (Matthews)

Mat 5:5 Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth.

5 Blessed are the meke: for they shall inheret the erth.(Tyndale)

Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth.(Matthews)

Mat 5:6 Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled.

6 Blessed are they which honger and thurst for rightewesnes: for they shalbe filled.(Tyndale)

Blessed are they which hunger and thirst for righteousness: for they shall be filled. (Matthews)

Mat 5:7 Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy.

7 Blessed are ye mercifull: for they shall obteyne mercy.(Tyndale)

Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy. (Matthews)

Mat 5:8 Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God.

8 Blessed are the pure in herte: for they shall se God.(Tyndale)

Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God. (Matthews)

Mat 5:9 Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God.

9 Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shalbe called the chyldren of God.(Tyndale)

Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God. (Matthews)

Mat 5:10 Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness' sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

10 Blessed are they which suffre persecucio for rightwesnes sake: for theirs ys the kyngdome of heuen.(Tyndale)

Blessed are they which suffer persecution for righteousness sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. (Matthews)

Mat 5:11 Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake.

11 Blessed are ye when men reuyle you and persecute you and shall falsly say all manner of yvell saynges agaynst you for my sake. (Tyndale)

Blessed are ye when men revile you, and persecute you, and shall falsely say all manner of evil sayings against you for my sake. (Matthews)

Mat 5:12 Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.

12 Reioyce and be glad for greate is youre rewarde in heven. + For so persecuted they ye Prophetes which were before youre dayes. (Tyndale)

Rejoice, and be glad, for great is your reward in heaven. For so persecuted they the Prophets which were before your days. (Matthews)