The Bible was written by over 40 human authors over 1,500 years (~1400 BC to AD 100), in three languages (Hebrew, Aramaic, Greek), on three continents. The authors were carried by the Holy Spirit (2 Peter 1:21) so that what they wrote is God's word — fully human and fully divine.
“All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness.”
“No prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation. 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.”
“Forasmuch as many have taken in hand to set forth in order a declaration of those things which are most surely believed among us... it seemed good to me also, having had perfect understanding of all things from the very first, to write unto thee in order.”
“Write thee all the words that I have spoken unto thee in a book.”
“What thou seest, write in a book.”
“The things that I write unto you are the commandments of the Lord.”
“If the Bible was written by men, how can it be God's word?”
Christianity affirms both. 2 Peter 1:21 — 'holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.' The human authors wrote in their own style, language, and personality, but the Spirit carried them so the result is exactly what God wanted. Like a musician playing through an instrument, God spoke through human authors. Both human and divine — not either/or.
“The Bible was put together by political councils.”
This is a popular myth (popularized by The Da Vinci Code). The OT canon was settled long before Christ. The NT books were recognized as inspired from the earliest decades because of apostolic authorship and Spirit-witness. Councils (like Carthage in AD 397) recognized what the church had long received; they did not create the canon by political fiat.
“Many books were left out of the Bible.”
The so-called 'lost gospels' (Thomas, Judas, Philip) were not 'left out' — they were never in. They were written later (mostly 2nd-4th centuries), reflect gnostic theology contrary to the apostolic gospel, and were never widely received by the church. The 27 NT books were recognized for clear reasons. Read them; the difference is obvious.
The Bible was written by over 40 authors over 1,500 years in three languages, yet tells one coherent story. The human authors wrote in their own styles; the Holy Spirit ensured the result is God's word. The text has been faithfully preserved and reliably translated. The book you hold is the inspired, authoritative word of God. Read it.
Over 40 authors over 1,500 years. Including Moses (Torah), David (many psalms), Solomon (Proverbs, Ecclesiastes), prophets (Isaiah, Jeremiah, Daniel, etc.), Matthew, Mark, Luke, John, Paul, Peter, James, and others. Some books are anonymous. Christians affirm both the human authorship and the divine inspiration — 'holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost' (2 Peter 1:21).
About 1,500 years — from Moses (~1400 BC) to John (~AD 95). Across this span, 40+ authors wrote in three languages on three continents, in vastly different settings (palace, prison, exile, ministry) — and the result is one coherent story of God's redemption. The unity across such diversity is itself evidence of divine inspiration.
The four Gospels were written within a generation of the events. Mark is generally dated AD 55-65 (some earlier). Matthew and Luke ~AD 60-85. John ~AD 85-95. These dates are within living memory of eyewitnesses. The early date matters: the Gospels are not late legend but early testimony from the apostolic generation.
The OT canon was settled by the time of Christ — Jesus quoted from all major sections as authoritative. The NT canon emerged in the early church based on apostolic authorship (or close apostolic connection), orthodox content consistent with apostolic teaching, and widespread acceptance in the early churches. By the late 4th century, the 27 NT books were universally recognized. Councils recognized; they did not create.