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The Bible is many books yet one, a superlative example of e
pluribus unum ("one composed of many"). This remarkable unity of design is
one of the unique characteristics of the Bible. Another is its internal consistency in its
diversity, combining to form a coherent composite. The mark of one author, for those who
have eyes to see, is startlingly apparent.
The authors of the various biblical books came from differing
backgrounds, lived in disparate environments and were diverse in their personalities,
education and professions. They wrote in different styles, from different standpoints, to
different audiences and at different times. Yet the continuing themes God inspired are the
same. God used all their various and contrasting perspectives to shape and to emphasize
the same basic truth. From Genesis to Revelation we read of the same God, the same massive
plan being unfolded and developed, with each book augmenting, supporting and complementing
that which has gone before. This unitary focus is due to the God who initiated, organized
and inspired the entire Holy Scriptures. Although many different men played their part as
they were moved by His Spirit (II Pet. 1:20), the Bible is in reality God's Word and not
man's.
This is the only factor which could explain the. uniqueness and
remarkable coherence of the Bible. Dozens of writers spanning a period of over 1500 years
from Moses to John of such dissimilar traits and characteristics could never have achieved
that unity as a result of human effort alone. Yet the unity is there, not as the product
of numerous human minds, but of one mind—the mind of God—interacting with, and
directing, the grand sweep of biblical authors in many unlikely forms, but always in such
a way that their own personal emotions, feelings, personality and individual writing
styles were employed. God inspired the message, but it was conveyed through language and
vocabulary that was peculiar and natural to each man. The Bible is thus a human vehicle
through which God has chosen to convey His revelation to mankind.
The Bible and the physical universe were designed in a similar
fashion: they both work as the products of enormously complex interactions resulting in a
wondrously purposeful product. The similarity between the Bible and the universe is, of
course, to be expected since the same creator designed them both. The Bible is thus not a
simplistic, deterministic catechism of childish declarative statements. Rather it is a
living record of complex interactions, actions and reactions, stimuli and responses,
mistakes and miracles, successes and failures.
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