Frequently Asked Questions About the Bible

Over the years International Bible Society has received many questions about the Bible. Listed below are numerous answers to these questions. We hope you find these interesting and helpful.

What is the Bible?
Who wrote the Bible? When was the Bible written? What is the main message of the Bible? Is the Bible inspired? And what does that mean? Is the Bible true? If so, how can I know it is true? How were the books of the Bible chosen? Why do some Bibles have a section called the Apocrypha? In the Old Testament there is so much war and violence sanctioned by Yahweh. Is this the same loving God portrayed in the New Testament? Is the Bible still reliable and relevant today? In what language was the Bible first written? What are the Dead Sea Scrolls? Why are there so many versions of the English Bible? Since Jews and Christians both claim to have God's Word, do they basically have the same religion? Is the Bible we have today in English the same as the original Bible? Is the Bible at odds with science? In the Bible we read about "the law". What does this mean, and are we suppose to keep "the law" today? How was the Bible distributed before the printing press was invented in 1455? How many different languages has the Bible been published into? Will the Bible of the future be the same as the one we have today?

Written by Dr. Eugene Rubingh, retired V.P. of Translation for International Bible Society.

More Study Resources: If you would like to know more about each book of the Bible, please visit the NIV Study Bible, Introductions to the Books of the Bible or click on 'About the Books of the Bible' within the menu on the left side of this page.

Introductions to the Books of the Bible

From the NIV Study Bible

The Introductions to the Books of the Bible reports on a book's title, author, and date of writing. It also details the books background and purpose, explores themes and theological significance, and points out distinctive literary features.