What is the Bible? People have died because they followed its teachings. Some have been forced to leave their homes and families because they refused to disobey it. Others have worked and saved for months—and even years—to lay aside enough money to buy one. Governments have tried to destroy it, yet it remains the most popular book ever printed. Scientists have branded it outdated and foolish, yet it continues to outsell their scientific books. It is one of the world's oldest books, yet people constantly use it to find answers to today's problems. Why?

"Thy Word Is Truth" tells the story of the formation of the Bible. It describes its inspiration and the processes that culminated in the translation of the Bible that you own today. Your faith will be deepened as you study this book and ponder the miracle of the Bible.

Each chapter includes discussion and research questions, suitable for Bible school use or other group discussion.

For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. Hebrews 4:12

Table of Contents

• Teacher Introduction
• Student Introduction

1. What Is Truth?

• A. Biblical Focus
• B. Truth Lost
• C. Truth Regained
• D. The Authority of Truth
• E. Trembling at Truth
• F. Disobeying Truth
• Study Questions

Breathing Out God's Words

• A. Biblical Focus
• B. Progressive Revelation of Truth
• C. Prophetic Revelation of Truth
• D. Inspired Revelation of Truth
• E. The Authority of Inspired Truth
• Study Questions

3. Writing God's Word

• A. Biblical Focus
• B. The "Development" of Writing
• C. The Languages of the Bible
• D. Writing Materials in Bible Times
• E. The Miracle of the Bible
• Study Questions

Defining God's Word

• A. Biblical Focus
• B. Implications of Canonicity
• C. Steps to Canonicity
• D. Recognizing Canonicity
• E. The Old Testament Canon
• F. The New Testament Canon
• G. The Canon Preserved by Divine Intervention
• Study Questions

5. Passing on God's Word

• A. Biblical Focus
• B. God Gave the Word
• C. The Transmission of the Old Testament Text
• D. The Transmission of the New Testament Text
• Study Questions

6. The Text of God's Word

• A. Biblical Focus
• B. New Testament Text Families
• C. Why Most Scholars Prefer the Alaxandrian Text
• D. Evaluating the Import of the Byzantine Text
• Study Questions

7. Preserving God's Word

• A. Biblical Focus
• B. Important Preservation Concepts
• C. Accurate, or Inerrant?
• Study Questions

8. Translating God's Word

• A. Biblical Focus
• B. Why Are Bible Translations Needed
• C. Evaluating Translation Methods
• D. Difficulties Faced by Translators
• E. Can a Translation Be Inerrant?
• F. Principles for Choosing a Bible Translation
• Study Questions

9. The King James Version of God's Word

• A. Biblical Focus
• B. Before the King James Version
• C. The King James Version
• D. Good Reasons for Staying With the King James Version
• Study Questions

God's Word Is Eternal

• A. Biblical Focus—A Parable of Two Brothers
• B. "Learn of Me"
• C. "Doers of the Word"
• D. Misleading Concepts to Avoid
• E. God's Word Is Truth
• F. "My Words Shall Not Pass Away
• Study Questions

• Extra Assignments
• Bibliography
• Index