How to Read the Bible: Context 4

Understanding the Process Behind the Bible’s Creation

When we open the Bible today, it’s easy to imagine that each book was written by a single author, completed in one sitting, and sealed for all time. For many, the idea that the Bible was assembled over generations, with contributions from scribes and editors, can be unsettling. It can make some feel as though the text might not be trustworthy. But what if this fear comes from misunderstanding the cultural context in which the Bible was written?

Let’s dive into how the Bible was actually put together and what that means for us as Christians today.

How Ancient Writing Really Worked

Many of us have this modern image of how the apostles, like Paul, wrote their letters: sitting at a desk, quill in hand, meticulously penning each word. But that’s not how writing was done in the ancient world. In reality, ancient authors typically didn’t write their works themselves, they dictated them to scribes. And scribes didn’t sit at desks either. They wrote on the floor or in their lap, taking down dictation.

The languages of the Bible, like ancient Hebrew and Greek, didn’t use spaces, punctuation, or lowercase letters. Even more striking, ancient Hebrew didn’t even include vowels! These languages were designed for oral communication. Texts were meant to be read aloud, and that’s how the early audiences would have heard them.

Scribes and Co-Authors in the New Testament

This idea of dictation wasn’t just true for secular authors; it applied to the apostles as well. Paul, for example, didn’t sit down and personally write each of his letters. He often dictated them to a scribe. In Romans 16:22, we learn that a man named Tertius actually penned the letter for Paul: “I, Tertius, who wrote this letter, greet you in the Lord.” Similarly, Peter’s first epistle was written with the help of Silas. And many of Paul’s letters were composed with the involvement of co-authors like Timothy and Silas, showing that these letters were communal efforts.

In some cases, scribes didn’t just act as stenographers. They could make stylistic improvements or add structure to the content. Cicero, a famous Roman statesman, often praised his scribes for refining his letters. It’s possible that Paul’s letters reflect the hands of these scribes, which could explain why different letters vary slightly in style.

Did Paul Write Anything by Hand?

Some might point out that Paul mentions writing letters with his own hand. Does this contradict the idea of using scribes? Not at all. In the ancient world, it was common for an author to dictate a letter to a scribe and then write a brief postscript in their own handwriting as a sign-off. We see examples of this in Greek documents from Egypt, where the body of the letter was written by a professional scribe, and the closing remarks were added by the author.

What About the Old Testament?

If the New Testament was put together this way, what about the Old Testament? The process was even more complex. Most of the books in the Old Testament were likely composed over generations, with contributions from various scribes. For instance, the prophet Jeremiah worked with a scribe named Baruch. Scribes were responsible not just for copying texts but for preserving and updating them as necessary.

We see evidence of this in texts like the Book of Jeremiah, which exists in different versions. The Dead Sea Scrolls and the Greek Septuagint contain a version of Jeremiah that is one-seventh shorter than the Hebrew Masoretic text, suggesting that later scribes added material to the book.

Scribes as Preservers, Not Creators

This process of updating and editing texts might sound concerning, but it was done with great care. Scribes didn’t see themselves as inventing new content, they were tasked with preserving the teachings of prophets, apostles, and other authoritative figures. Their job was to make sure these teachings could be passed down accurately to future generations.

Michael Heiser uses the analogy of a “holy stapler” to explain this process. Imagine a group of followers of a prophet like Isaiah. After his death, these followers collect his sermons, letters, and teachings, some might be on separate scrolls, some might be oral traditions. Instead of just “stapling” the documents together randomly, they would carefully compile, edit, and organize the materials into a cohesive whole, ensuring that Isaiah’s core message was faithfully preserved. They didn’t alter the message but acted like custodians, working to maintain the integrity of what was originally said, while shaping it to ensure future generations could understand it.

Communal Writing and Its Significance

The fact that the Bible was composed in this communal and collaborative way doesn’t diminish its authority or reliability. On the contrary, it shows how seriously the ancient community took task of preserving God’s word. John Walton explains that the creation of Scripture involved three key roles: authorities, tradents, and scribes. The authorities (such as Moses or Isaiah) generated the original material. The tradents passed down these traditions over time, sometimes shaping them to ensure they remained relevant and understandable. The scribes then recorded, updated, and organized the material for future generations.

This process is not unlike how textbooks are written today. A science textbook might be based on the research of numerous scientists, but authors and editors write it in a way that a child can understand. The textbook is not inaccurate, it’s simply designed to communicate the truth in an accessible way.

The Bible Is Trustworthy

For many Christians, the idea that the Bible was compiled over time by different contributors can be unsettling. But it doesn’t need to be. Just as we trust the Holy Spirit guided the prophets and apostles, we can trust that the Spirit was also at work in the community that preserved and passed down these sacred texts.

The communal nature of ancient writing and the role of scribes in updating and preserving the text do not detract from the Bible’s reliability. In fact, they highlight the careful stewardship that went into ensuring the message of God’s word would reach future generations, including us today. So rather than fearing these facts, we should appreciate how seriously the ancient people took the preservation of God’s revelation.

The next time you open your Bible, remember that it’s not just a collection of ancient texts. It’s the living word of God, passed down through the ages, preserved by a faithful community of believers who ensured that we could encounter God’s truth today.