A library with many writers
The Bible was written in different places and seasons of history. Its Old Testament contains Israel's law, songs, wisdom, history and prophetic writings. Moses is traditionally connected with the first five books, David with many psalms, and prophets such as Isaiah and Jeremiah spoke God's message during real national crises. The Old Testament was written mainly in Hebrew, with a few parts in Aramaic.
The New Testament was written in Greek. Four Gospels tell the good news of Jesus, while Acts follows the early church's spread from Jerusalem towards Rome. Paul wrote letters to churches facing particular pressures, including division in Corinth and uncertainty in Philippi. Luke explains that he investigated events carefully and drew on eyewitness testimony before writing his Gospel (Luke 1:1-4).
God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets,
God spoke through real people
Christians believe the Bible is both human and divine. Its writers were not erased or turned into machines. David's prayers carry the voice of someone who knew fear, praise and failure. Paul's letters sound like a church planter who loves people enough to confront and encourage them. John writes Revelation while exiled on Patmos (Revelation 1:9).
Yet the Bible says that Scripture is breathed out by God, a phrase that points to God's life-giving authority behind it (2 Timothy 3:16). Peter says that prophecy did not arise simply because people decided to speak. Rather, the Holy Spirit carried people along as they spoke from God (2 Peter 1:21). Christians have differed over exactly how inspiration works, but they broadly confess that God truly speaks through the Scriptures.
All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:
How the books were received
Jesus treated Israel's Scriptures as God's authoritative word. He spoke of the Law of Moses, the Prophets and the Psalms as a recognised body of writings that pointed to him (Luke 24:44). These books had been read, copied and treasured among the Jewish people long before Jesus' earthly ministry.
The earliest Christians also read accounts of Jesus and letters from apostles and their close co-workers. Peter refers to Paul's letters alongside “the other scriptures”, showing that these writings were already being received with special weight (2 Peter 3:15-16). Over time, churches recognised books linked to the apostolic witness and consistent with the message they had received about Jesus.
And he said unto them, These are the words which I spake unto you, while I was yet with you, that all things must be fulfilled, which were written in the law of Moses, and in the prophets, and in the psalms, concerning me.
Why Bible contents can vary
Protestant Bibles usually contain 66 books. Roman Catholic and Orthodox Bibles include additional Old Testament books, though Orthodox lists are not all identical. Roman Catholic, Eastern Orthodox and Protestant Bibles share the familiar 27 New Testament books, while the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo tradition has a broader New Testament canon.
That can sound complicated, but you don't need to solve every question about the Bible's formation before opening it. Begin with Luke or John, read a small passage in context, and ask what it reveals about God, people and Jesus. Some parts are challenging, and even Peter acknowledged that some things in Paul's letters can be hard to understand (2 Peter 3:15-16). Keep reading patiently.