Who Wrote the Bible, God or Humans?

There’s nothing like the written Word of God for showing you the way to salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. Every part of Scripture is God-breathed and useful one way or another—showing us truth, exposing our rebellion, correcting our mistakes, training us to live God’s way. Through the Word we are put together and shaped up for the tasks God has for us.

2 Timothy 3: 15-17

As promised, this week we are going to tackle the first of some pretty big questions that young people, especially those who were raised in the church, might be afraid to ask.

When I was a teenager, I was a part of a faith community and tradition that was not particularly keen on asking questions about faith. It sounds strange to say it, but it’s true. Far too often, young people were simply directed to the scriptures and assured they would find the answers there.

I remember the chorus of a song we would sing quite often:

“God said it and I believe it
And that settles it for me.”

The only problem, of course, was that I didn’t really feel settled; I actually had a lot of questions. I didn’t really understand a lot of what I read in the Bible. I didn’t know who it was written by, for or any of the context (historical/cultural) surrounding its authorship.

As an example, we know who wrote the incredibly-popular Harry Potter books. Anyone who wants to know can find out what inspired J.K. Rowling to write them, and the takeaways she hoped to leave with the reader.

But who wrote the Bible? God or humans? And should we read it the same way we read a history book? Was that the way it was intended to be read? And what about all these interpretations that I encountered when I started looking for answers to all my questions?

Are all the stories in the Bible true, and all the characters real? Did everything happen the way it is written? And what if it didn’t, would that change the truth about God embedded in the text of the stories I’ve heard all my life?

These are important questions because, as you will find out when you move into adulthood, so much of what you believe today will be put to the test. You will be challenged by being in new places, meeting new people and seeing evidence of God in areas of life where you might least expect it. This is all part of growing in your faith.

We can’t wait to see you Sunday night!