295 How We Got Our Bible: God's Word Through Human Hands

The Bible contains 66 books written by around 40 authors across 1,500 years, yet it tells one unified story centered on Jesus Christ. Tiffany and Pastor Jeff explore how God inspired human authors to write Scripture and how the early church recognized which books belonged in the biblical canon. They address the “lost books” of the Bible, explain how Scripture was faithfully preserved, and show why Christians can confidently trust the Bible we hold today. **Chapters:** **02:03 Where Did Our Bible Come From?** The Bible contains 66 books written by around 40 authors across approximately 1,500 years. Despite its many contributors, Scripture tells one unified story of creation, fall, redemption, and restoration centered on Jesus Christ. **06:18 Who Actually Wrote the Bible?** God is the primary author of Scripture, but He worked through real human writers with distinct personalities, backgrounds, and writing styles. The Holy Spirit guided these authors without turning them into passive scribes or removing their individuality. **09:38 How Did Moses Write About Creation?** Biblical events were sometimes preserved and passed down before being written. Whether information was revealed directly by God or collected from faithful witnesses, Christians trust that Scripture records exactly what God intended. **11:48 Who Chose the 66 Books of the Bible?** The biblical canon is the recognized collection of writings inspired by God. The church did not give these books their authority but recognized the divine authority they already possessed. **13:50 How Was the New Testament Recognized?** The apostles’ writings were treasured, publicly read, carefully copied, and shared among early churches. The apostles also recognized one another’s writings as Scripture, demonstrating that this process began during the first century. **15:02 How Was God’s Word Preserved?** The format of the Bible has changed from handwritten manuscripts to printed, digital, and audio editions, but its message has remained the same. Generations of believers carefully preserved and passed down the truth God had given. **17:35 Why Wasn’t the Bible Compiled Immediately?** Early churches were scattered throughout the Roman Empire, and every letter or book had to be copied by hand and physically circulated. By AD 367, Athanasius recorded all 27 New Testament books already recognized by churches. **19:18 What About the “Lost Books” of the Bible?** Writings such as the Gospel of Thomas and the Gospel of Judas appeared later and contradicted apostolic teaching. They were excluded because they were neither connected to the apostles nor recognized as inspired Scripture. **21:27 Why Can Christians Trust the Bible Today?** God has faithfully preserved His Word through centuries of copying, persecution, translation, and criticism. The Bible remains God’s living Word and one unified story pointing to Jesus Christ. *“ Understanding how God gave us the Bible doesn't weaken our confidence; it strengthens it. Once you see and understand the incredible story behind how we got our Bible, you'll treasure it even more.”*  – Pastor Jeff Cranston 👉 Visit Pastor Jeff Cranston on Amazon or his website to explore his books and booklets written to support believers in their walk with Christ. We love your feedback! If you enjoyed this episode, leave us a review. If you have any questions or comments on today's episode, email me at pastorjeff@lowcountrycc.org Visit my website https://www.jeffcranston.com and subscribe to my newsletter.  Join me on Sunday mornings at LowCountry Community Church.  Check in with us on Facebook or Instagram @pastorjeffcranston Remember, the real power of theology is not only knowing it but applying it. Thanks for listening!