How the Bible Works
Welcome back to the pod! Have you ever wondered how the Bible was written, and how exactly it's structured? Listen to today's episode as we talk about those things, as well as unpacking why it matter to us spiritually.
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How the Bible Works
Today we continue our How Stuff Works series with a topic that’s both deeply theological and intensely practical: How the Bible Works. For Christians, the Bible is more than just a religious book—it’s the inspired Word of God. But where did it come from? How is it structured? And how do we read it in a way that transforms our lives?
These are big questions, and this summary explores three essential truths that come from our Bible Basics series:
1. Where Did We Get the Bible?
The Bible didn’t fall from the sky, nor was it just a random collection of human wisdom. Scripture teaches that the Bible was inspired by the Holy Spirit.
2 Timothy 3:16 (NLT) “All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right.”
“Inspired” literally means “God-breathed.” That means the words of the Bible carry the very breath of God, and He speaks to us through its pages.
Mark 12:36 (NLT) “For David himself, speaking under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, said…”
Jesus affirmed the divine origin of the Old Testament scriptures. The human authors wrote using their own style and voice, but were guided by the Spirit of God.
2 Peter 1:20-21 (NLT) “No prophecy in Scripture ever came from the prophet’s own understanding... those prophets were moved by the Holy Spirit, and they spoke from God.”
Verbal plenary inspiration means that the very words (verbal) and all parts (plenary) of Scripture are inspired by God. Though the original manuscripts were written in Hebrew, Aramaic, and Greek, God has preserved His message through faithful transmission and translation.
Translation Types:
- Word-for-Word (Formal): ESV, NASB
- Thought-for-Thought (Dynamic): NIV, NLT
While only the original manuscripts are infallible, modern translations are trustworthy because of careful preservation, thousands of manuscripts, and the sovereignty of God.
2. What Is the Structure of the Bible?
The Bible is one book made up of 66 individual books, divided into two testaments:
Old Testament (39 Books): Written over 1,000 years and originally part of the Hebrew Bible, it includes:
- Law (Genesis–Deuteronomy)
- History (Joshua–Esther)
- Wisdom/Poetry (Job–Song of Songs)
- Prophets (Isaiah–Malachi)
New Testament (27 Books): Written within a generation after Jesus' resurrection, it includes:
- Gospels (Matthew–John)
- History (Acts)
- Letters/Epistles (Romans–Jude)
- Apocalypse (Revelation)
Matthew 5:17-19 (NLT) “I did not come to abolish the law... but to accomplish their purpose.”
Jesus didn’t reject the Old Testament—He fulfilled it. The New Testament reveals how God’s promises culminate in Jesus.
3. How Do I Read the Bible?
The Bible is not just for study—it’s for transformation. We recommend starting with the Gospel of John and reading through the New Testament one book at a time. Read it like this:
- Start with John, then continue through the rest of the NT
- Mix in a gospel (Matthew, Mark, or Luke) every few epistles
- Repeat the NT before jumping into the OT
Joshua 1:8 (ESV) “This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth… meditate on it day and night… then you will have good success.”
Romans 12:2 (NLT) “Let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think.”
As you read, remember that the Holy Spirit not only inspired the Bible—He also illuminates it today. He helps us understand and apply it to our lives.
The goal isn’t just to gain knowledge—it’s to be transformed by the truth.
