The Bible is the sacred text of the Christian faith. It is a collection of writings—historical narratives, poetry, prayers, laws, prophecies, and teachings—that tell the story of humanity’s relationship with God. Written over many centuries by different human authors, these texts are recognized by the Church as inspired by God and guided by the Holy Spirit.
For over two thousand years, the Bible has shaped civilizations, inspired countless lives, and offered meaning, hope, and direction to millions around the world. Even those who are not Christian often recognize its profound literary, moral, and cultural influence.
The One Book That Speaks with the Voice of God
While the Bible is often described as a collection of books, the Church teaches that it is, in truth, one book—because it tells one story, has one divine Author, and points to one central figure: Jesus Christ. The many writings within it, though diverse in style, origin, and human authorship, are bound together by the Holy Spirit into a single message of God’s plan for our salvation.
For the Church—East and West, Catholic and Orthodox—the Bible is the inspired Word of God: divinely revealed, faithfully preserved, and truly alive. It is not merely a spiritual text or moral guide, but a living Word, through which God continues to speak today—especially within the life and worship of the Church.
The Church teaches that the Sacred Scriptures “contain the Word of God and, because they are inspired, they are truly the Word of God.” They reveal God’s plan for our salvation and are revered alongside the Body and Blood of the Lord in the liturgy. From Genesis to Revelation, the Bible shines with the light of divine truth, inviting each generation into communion with the living God.
“All Sacred Scripture is but one book, and that one book is Christ, because all divine Scripture speaks of Christ, and all divine Scripture is fulfilled in Christ.”
—Catechism of the Catholic Church, §134 (quoting Hugh of St. Victor)
“The New Testament lies hidden in the Old, and the Old is unveiled in the New.”
—St. Augustine
This introduction is offered from the shared perspective of the Christian Church—East and West—and is meant to help both newcomers and long-time believers understand what the Bible is, how it came to be, and how it continues to shape the life of the Church today.
A Unity in Diversity
The Bible contains:
- Narratives of creation, fall, covenant, and redemption.
- Laws shaping the moral and communal life of God’s people.
- Poetry and Wisdom that express the human experience of longing, grief, joy, and praise.
- Prophecies pointing toward the coming of the Messiah.
- Gospels proclaiming the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ.
- Letters and Visions addressed to the early Christian communities.
Though diverse in literary form and historical background, these books are united in their purpose: to bear witness to God’s covenant with humanity, fulfilled in Jesus Christ and continued in His Body, the Church.
How the Bible Came to Be
The Bible did not fall from the sky, whole and complete. It formed over time through a sacred process guided by the Holy Spirit, as the Church discerned and preserved the writings that truly conveyed the voice of God.
The Old Testament (or Hebrew Scriptures) tells the story of God’s covenant with Israel—creation and fall, the calling of Abraham, the Exodus, the law, the prophets, the kings, and the long expectation of the Messiah. The New Testament proclaims the fulfillment of that covenant in the person of Jesus Christ and records the life of the early Church.
The Church in both East and West received the Old Testament primarily through the ancient Greek translation known as the Septuagint. This translation was produced several centuries before the time of Christ and reflects a different textual tradition than the later standardized Hebrew version known as the Masoretic Text. The Septuagint likely preserves readings from older Hebrew manuscripts that have since been lost, and its use by the early Church—including the apostles themselves—gives it a foundational role in the Christian understanding of Scripture.
Because of this, the biblical canon includes several books and passages not found in modern Jewish or Protestant Bibles—such as Tobit, Wisdom, and 1 & 2 Maccabees. These writings were received as Scripture by the early Church and remain integral to the Bible used in the East and West.
A Word for Every Generation
In every generation, the Bible continues to speak. In the liturgical life of the Church, in daily prayer, in times of trial or thanksgiving, the Scriptures give light and nourishment.
Whether chanted in an ancient cathedral or whispered in a home, the Word of God is alive and active. It consoles, corrects, strengthens, and leads us into communion with God. To read the Bible is to encounter Christ Himself—not merely as a figure of history, but as the Risen Lord present among us.
“The word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword...”
—Hebrews 4:12
“Ignorance of the Scriptures is ignorance of Christ.”
—St. Jerome
Begin the Journey
Whether you’ve never opened a Bible or you’ve read parts of it many times, the invitation is always new. Start with the Gospels, especially Luke or John. Explore the Psalms—the prayer book of the Church. Let the words of Scripture sink in slowly, with patience and reverence.
Ask the Holy Spirit to guide your reading. Read with the Church, and you will never read alone.
Next: Part 2 – The Structure of the Bible →