BibleProject Podcast Summary Episode: If the Bible Was Written by Humans, Does that Change Its Reliability?
Release Date: July 2, 2025
Hosts: Tim and John
Knowledge Cutoff: October 2023

Introduction

In this episode of the BibleProject Podcast, hosts Tim and John engage in an insightful Q&A session titled "If the Bible Was Written by Humans, Does that Change Its Reliability?" Building upon their earlier "Flyover" series, specifically the "Making of the Bible" segment, they address listener inquiries that delve into the formation, reliability, and interpretation of biblical texts.

Listener Questions and Responses

1. Allison from Florida: Updates Since the "Making of the Bible" Series

Question: Allison in Florida inquires about any new discoveries or learnings that have emerged since the "Making of the Bible" series, particularly given that the original sermons were over a decade old.

Discussion:

• Tim ([01:51]) acknowledges that Allison's question prompted reflection, emphasizing the ongoing nature of learning about the Bible's formation.
• They explore the evolution of understanding regarding the Apocrypha/Deuterocanon, noting that earlier interpretations were more limited.
• Tim ([03:21]) shares that recent studies into second Temple Jewish literature and early Christian writings have revealed a "fluid layer of literature around the core Tanakh," highlighting the diversity among early Christian communities.
• John ([06:29]) and Tim discuss how early Christian leaders recognized that while the Hebrew Bible was the scriptural core, additional texts were valued differently across communities.

Notable Quote:

Tim ([02:43]): "Right. And after spending a lot more time reading a lot more second Temple Jewish literature and then a lot more early Christian like post New Testament literature, I'm now persuaded that there was less clarity about the layer of literature around that core that was also valued and viewed as inspired and that differed from community to community."

2. Guinevere from Illinois: Bible Reliability Amid Human Authorship

Question: Guinevere raises concerns about discrepancies in the Bible, such as age differences in the Books of Samuel and Kings, questioning whether human errors compromise the Bible's reliability.

Discussion:

• Tim and John differentiate between manuscript errors (e.g., copyist mistakes in numbers) and interpretative differences between biblical authors.
• They acknowledge that discrepancies can arise from the creative literary processes of the authors, who aimed to convey deeper meanings rather than strict historical accuracy.
• John ([14:03]) emphasizes the importance of understanding the Bible's reliability in terms of its message and meaning rather than exact historical details.
• The hosts suggest viewing the Bible as a mosaic of truths that communicate theological and moral lessons, even if some factual details vary.

Notable Quote:

John ([14:31]): "Reliable to what end? And this is where it gets murky, because you can't just swing the pendulum and be like, yeah, nothing happened, it's all just made up."

3. Jody from Midland, Texas: The Word of God and Jesus

Question: Jody seeks clarification on the relationship between the Bible as the written word, the concept of Jesus as the Word in John’s Gospel, and whether Jesus represents God's spoken word or something akin to the written Bible.

Discussion:

• Tim ([17:45]) explains that in the Hebrew Bible, "Scriptures" refer to written texts, while the "Word of God" pertains to God's spoken messages, both through Scripture and oral teaching by apostles.
• They delve into John’s Gospel, where Jesus is depicted as the "Word" (Logos)—a distinct entity from God yet integral to the divine Trinity.
• The discussion differentiates between God’s spoken word in actions like creation in Genesis and Jesus as the Word in the Gospel of John.
• John ([27:34]) summarizes that the Bible serves as a vehicle to encounter God's Word, facilitating responses to divine intention.

Notable Quote:

Tim ([23:09]): "That one is the Son who is birthed by the Father eternally. And that one is, flip the metaphor, the Word of God who is God's Word that was with God and God eternally as well."

4. Rory from Australia: Editing the Bible and Scriptural Integrity

Question: Rory questions how to reconcile biblical passages that prohibit adding to or taking away from God's word (e.g., Deuteronomy 4, Proverbs 30) with the historical reality that the Bible was edited and compiled by humans.

Discussion:

• Tim ([32:35]) contextualizes Deuteronomy 4 within the covenant relationship, explaining that Moses was instructing the Israelites not to alter the terms of their covenant with God.
• They discuss how early manuscript changes were often aimed at clarifying meanings or linking passages for better understanding, not altering the core messages.
• John ([38:31]) reflects on the difference between contextual modifications versus modern-day alterations, emphasizing that early edits served to preserve and elucidate divine wisdom.
• The hosts argue that editing for clarity aligns with maintaining the integrity of God’s message, rather than changing its meaning.

Notable Quote:

Tim ([36:46]): "Everything's here. Here we are, Here we all are."

5. Megan from Canada and Zach from Texas: New Testament Apocrypha

Question: Megan and Zach inquire about non-canonical texts like the Gospel of Mary and the Gospel of Thomas, questioning their value and how they should be approached given their exclusion from the official New Testament canon.

Discussion:

• Tim ([44:33]) explains that the New Testament Apocrypha comprises numerous early Christian writings, many of which were excluded from the canon due to theological discrepancies, such as gnostic interpretations.
• They distinguish between orthodox writings (e.g., Letter of Clement, Shepherd of Hermas) that align closely with apostolic teachings and gnostic texts that diverged significantly.
• John ([59:42]) and Tim emphasize the importance of readership discernment, recommending focusing on canonical texts while also exploring Apocryphal works to understand historical misunderstandings.
• Tim ([60:56]) suggests resources like "Apostolic Fathers" and "New Testament Apocrypha" collections for those interested in exploring these texts further.

Notable Quotes:

John ([48:27]): "If you want to learn how Christianity can be misunderstood, then read these texts."

Tim ([55:37]): "But that elite crew is a layer of people in probably every church community across the world. And you're not gonna be helping them and their discipleship to Jesus by telling them, just keep reading the New Testament. Only help those folks, help them learn how to discern between the two, and that will help them in their journey of following Jesus."

Conclusions

Throughout the episode, Tim and John navigate complex questions surrounding the human authorship of the Bible and its implications for reliability. They emphasize that while human involvement in writing and compiling the Bible introduces variations and interpretative nuances, the core theological and moral messages remain intact and reliable. The discussion underscores the importance of understanding the Bible’s formation within its historical and cultural contexts, recognizing the diversity among early Christian communities, and approaching extra-canonical texts with discernment.

Final Notable Quote:

John ([61:05]): "Have the theme of the Word of God."
Tim ([61:16]): "But until then, this was a little taste."

Key Takeaways

• Human Authorship and Divine Inspiration: The Bible's formation involved both human creativity and divine inspiration, leading to a rich tapestry of texts that convey deep theological truths despite minor discrepancies.

• Scriptural Diversity: Early Christian communities valued additional scriptures (Apocrypha/Deuterocanon) differently, reflecting a fluid and diverse interpretation of sacred texts.

• Reliability Through Meaning: The Bible’s reliability is best understood through its theological and moral teachings rather than absolute historical precision.

• Word of God Distinction: Differentiating between God's spoken word through prophets and Jesus as the incarnate Word enriches the understanding of biblical theology.

• Approach to Apocrypha: Engaging with New Testament Apocrypha can provide valuable insights into early Christianity, but requires careful discernment to separate orthodox teachings from divergent interpretations.

This comprehensive summary encapsulates the core discussions and insights from the episode, providing listeners—both new and familiar—with a clear understanding of the nuanced relationship between human authorship and the Bible's reliability.