The Bible

By Michael W. Gardner

The word Bible is really a Greek word whose meaning changed as civilized writing came into common use. It originally meant the material the words were written on and developed into meaning the completed scroll or document. From there it moved into English and was used to mean the collection of documents that made up the Holy Scriptures. 

The Bible actually is a collection of 66 documents that scholars have verified as containing a common element or authority. For example, we know that the Psalms should be in the Bible because they are quoted in so many other books of the Bible. 

The Bible contains a very diverse mix of history, law, poetry, life studies, prophecies, life principles and hope of everlasting life. However, in all this there is a common theme that runs through out. That theme is:

                 That there is a God and he has a plan for Mankind.

You may think it foolish that our hope for eternity is wrapped up in a collection of old books and letters all of which, with the exception of one author, were written by member of the Hebrew nation. Actually it is okay to consider this foolish, God thought you would (1 Corinthians 1:21) and he kinda got a kick out of it.