In a clear and concise way, John Barton describes the development of the Bible. He explains how the Bible came to be written and collected into the authoritative Scriptures of the Christian Church. Barton untangles the web of history and lets the reader appreciate the journey from spoken word to written word.

Written specifically for the person asking, "How did we get our Bible?" this book explains how we got our Bible, addressing the subjects of revelation, inspiration, inerrancy, authority, canonization, textual criticism, translations, and errors-apparent or real. Rather than isolated independent topics, this book provides a chart that demonstrates the interrelationship between the topics and offers questions for further study and discussion with each chapter. WILLIAM J. McRAE is President Emeritus of Tyndale College & Seminary in Toronto, Canada. He is also the author of _The Dynamics of Spiritual Gifts_, _Preparing for your Marriage_, and _Making a Good Thing Better_.

The idea of the Bible as "Holy Scripture," a non-negotiable authority straight from God, has prevailed in Western society for some time. And while it provides a firm foundation for centuries of Christian teaching, it denies the depth, variety, and richness of the text. Barton argues that the Bible is not a prescription to a complete, fixed religious system, but rather a product of a long and intriguing process which has inspired Judaism and Christianity, but still does not describe the whole of either religion. He argues that it must be read in its historical context-- from its beginnings in myth and folklore to its many interpretations throughout the centuries. -- adapted from jacket

Discusses how the Bible came into being, who wrote it, early and modern translations, monks and manuscripts, and the importance of the Bible.

Discusses how the Bible came into being, who wrote it, early and modern translations, monks and manuscripts, and the importance of the Bible

Readers will gain even more appreciation for their Bible when they see how God directed its development, from the original authors through today’s translations. How Did We Get the Bible? provides an easy-to-read historical overview, covering the Holy Spirit’s inspiration of the writers, the preservation of the documents, the compilation of the canon, and the efforts to bring the Bible to people in their own language. This fascinating story, populated by intriguing characters, will encourage readers with God’s faithfulness—to His own Word, and to those of us who read it. It’s a fantastic, value-priced resource for individuals and ministries!

Welcome to the Fascinating Story of How We Got The World’s Greatest Book—The Bible. It is a captivating story that includes a little bit of everything: adventure and violence, mystery and bravery, and dumb luck or divine intervention—depending on your point of view. How in the world did we get this book that some people swear by—and other people swear at? You don’t have to be a skeptic to have a grocery list of questions about the formation of the Bible, such as: —Who wrote these documents and when? —How were these ancient writings transmitted through the ages? —As scribes made copies of copies, didn’t they make mistakes that caused the ancient writings to be changed and corrupted? —How was it decided which writings would be included in the Bible? —What are the Dead Sea Scrolls, and why are archaeological finds like these such a big deal? Devoted people dedicated their lives throughout time to put this unique book into the hands of people worldwide. Retrace the passion and intrigue behind the Bible’s creation.