Topical Encyclopedia
In the context of the Bible, the term "author" can refer to both the divine and human contributors to the sacred texts. The Bible is considered by Christians to be divinely inspired, with God as the ultimate author, while human writers served as instruments through whom God's message was conveyed.
Divine AuthorshipThe concept of divine authorship is central to the understanding of the Bible's authority and inspiration. Christians believe that God, through the Holy Spirit, guided the human authors in their writing. This belief is supported by passages such as
2 Timothy 3:16, which states, "All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting, and training in righteousness." Similarly,
2 Peter 1:21 affirms, "For no prophecy was ever brought about through human initiative, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit."
Human AuthorsThe Bible was written by a diverse group of human authors over many centuries. These authors came from various backgrounds, including shepherds, kings, prophets, fishermen, and scholars. Despite their differences, they were united in their purpose to convey God's message to His people. The human authors wrote in different literary styles, including historical narrative, poetry, prophecy, and epistle, contributing to the richness and depth of the biblical text.
Old Testament AuthorsThe Old Testament, also known as the Hebrew Bible, includes writings attributed to figures such as Moses, who is traditionally credited with authoring the first five books, known as the Pentateuch. Other notable authors include David, who composed many of the Psalms, and the prophets Isaiah, Jeremiah, and Ezekiel, each of whom contributed prophetic books bearing their names.
New Testament AuthorsThe New Testament was written by apostles and early Christian leaders who were eyewitnesses to the life and ministry of Jesus Christ or were closely associated with those who were. The Apostle Paul is a prominent author, having written numerous epistles to early Christian communities. The Gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John provide accounts of Jesus' life and teachings, each from a unique perspective. Luke, a physician and companion of Paul, also authored the Acts of the Apostles, detailing the early church's history.
The Role of the Holy SpiritThe Holy Spirit's role in the authorship of the Bible is emphasized in Christian theology. The Spirit is believed to have inspired the human authors, ensuring that their writings were aligned with God's truth. This divine guidance is seen as a safeguard against error, allowing the Bible to serve as a reliable and authoritative source of faith and practice.
The Unity of ScriptureDespite being written by multiple authors over a span of centuries, the Bible is characterized by a remarkable unity. This coherence is attributed to its divine authorship, with God orchestrating the overarching narrative of redemption through Jesus Christ. The consistent themes and messages throughout the Bible testify to its singular divine source, as reflected in
Hebrews 12:2, which refers to Jesus as "the author and perfecter of our faith."
ConclusionThe concept of authorship in the Bible encompasses both the divine and human elements, with God as the ultimate author and human writers as His chosen instruments. This dual authorship underscores the Bible's authority, inspiration, and unity, making it a foundational text for Christian faith and life.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
1. (
n.) The beginner, former, or first mover of anything; hence, the efficient cause of a thing; a creator; an originator.
2. (n.) One who composes or writes a book; a composer, as distinguished from an editor, translator, or compiler.
3. (n.) The editor of a periodical.
4. (n.) An informant.
5. (v. t.) To occasion; to originate.
6. (v. t.) To tell; to say; to declare.
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia
AUTHORo'-ther: This word is used to translate two Greek words:
(1) aitios, literally, "cause," hence, "author."Hebrews 5:9, He "became the author of eternal salvation."
(2) archego = literally, "chief leader," "prince," "captain"; then author, originator. It is rendered "author" in the following passages:
(a)Hebrews 12:2, "looking unto Jesus, the author [King James Version, Revised Version] and finisher [Revised Version, "perfecter"] of our faith." But here it seems better to take archegos in its primary sense, "leader" (Revised Version margin "captain"), rather than in its secondary sense "author." The meaning is, not that He is the originator of faith in us, but that He Himself is the pioneer in the life of faith. He is first in the company of the faithful (compare references to His "faithfulness,"Hebrews 2:17;Hebrews 3:2, 5, 6), far surpassing in His fidelity even the Old Testament saints mentioned in chapter 11; and therefore we are to look to Him as our perfect pattern of faith. Faith has not only Christ for its object, but Christ for its supreme example. So Bengel, Bleek, B. Weiss, Alford, A. B. Davidson, Grimm-Thayer. Others, however, take the word in the sense of "author."
(b)Hebrews 2:10, "to make the author [King James Version, "captain"] of their salvation perfect through sufferings." Here the idea of Christ as originator or author of our salvation is present (compare the passageHebrews 5:9, where however a different word is used; see above). But here again the original meaning of "leader" is not to be lost sight of. He, being the first possessor of salvation, becomes the author of it for others. "The idea that the Son goes before the saved in the same path ought perhaps to be retained" (Davidson). CompareHebrews 6:20, where Jesus is said to be our "forerunner."
(c)Acts 3:15, King James Version margin and the Revised Version margin have "author," where text has "prince." Here again it is possible that the two ideas are present.
D. Miall Edwards
Greek
747. archegos -- founder, leader... leader. Part of Speech: Noun, Masculine Transliteration: archegos Phonetic Spelling:
(ar-khay-gos') Short Definition: originator,
author, founder Definition
...159. aitios -- causative of, responsible for
... Transliteration: aitios Phonetic Spelling: (ah'-ee-tee-os) Short Definition: the
cause of, the originator of Definition: the cause,author; the culprit...author....
2939. ktistes -- a creator
... Creator. From ktizo; a founder, ie God (asauthor of all things) -- Creator. see
GREEK ktizo. (ktiste) -- 1 Occurrence. 2938, 2939. ktistes. 2940 ....
1343. dikaiosune -- righteousness, justice
... usually if not always in a Jewish atmosphere), justice, justness, righteousness,
righteousness of which God is the source orauthor, but practically: a divine...
386. anastasis -- a standing up, ie a resurrection, a raising up...
... From anistemi; a standing up again, ie (literally) a resurrection from death
(individual, genitive case or by implication, (itsauthor)), or (figuratively) a...
Strong's Hebrew
94. Agur -- "hired," anauthor of proverbs... 93, 94. Agur. 95 . "hired," an
author of proverbs. Transliteration: Agur
Phonetic Spelling: (aw-goor') Short Definition: Agur. Word
...Library
Concerning theAuthor
... CONCERNING THEAUTHOR. [Illustration]... Theauthor of Heart Talks has been peculiarly
qualified for his task by a training of the soul in the school of suffering....
By the SameAuthor.
... BY THE SAMEAUTHOR. A COMMENTARY ON THE FIRST EPISTLE TO THE CORINTHIANS.... The
author of this Commentary possesses high philological culture....
Preface of theAuthor.
... PREFACE OF THEAUTHOR. Special treatises on the Person of the Holy Spirit are
comparatively few, and systematic treatment of His Work is still more uncommon....
By the SameAuthor.
... THE HISTORY OF BEL AND THE DRAGON BY THE SAMEAUTHOR.... It is first-hand work, and
theauthor has judgment to select as well as industry to gather his facts."....
Preface by theAuthor
... PREFACE BY THEAUTHOR. 1. To a great extent, the truths of the blessed gospel
have been hidden under a false philosophy.... THEAUTHOR....
TheAuthor to the Reader.
... THEAUTHOR TO THE READER. CHRISTIAN READER,"After the foregoing address,
I need not put thee to much more trouble: only I shall...
Preface of theAuthor.
... PREFACE OF THEAUTHOR. SPECIAL treatises on the Person of the Holy Spirit are
comparatively few, and systematic treatment of His Work is still more uncommon....
TheAuthor's Preface.
... THEAUTHOR'S PREFACE. The first edition... its course. TheAuthor dislikes to
return to regions which have been already visited by him. He...
By the SameAuthor.
... MODERN GREEK HYMNS BY THE SAMEAUTHOR. Crown 8vo. Price 3/6 each nett.
[81]HYMNS OF THE APOSTOLIC CHURCH, being Centos and Suggestions...
Author's Note
...AUTHOR'S NOTE.... Theauthor has taken liberty with accepted history in the age of
Meneptah's first-born and in placing Hebrews in the quarries at Masaarah....
Thesaurus
Author (5 Occurrences)... 4. (n.) An informant. 5. (vt) To occasion; to originate. 6. (vt) To tell; to
say; to declare. Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia.
AUTHOR.
...Lamentations (6 Occurrences)
... powerful as ever. 4.Author: Who is theauthor of these hymns? Jewish tradition
is unanimous in saying that it was Jeremiah. The hymns...
Three (5005 Occurrences)
... Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. SONG OF THE THREE CHILDREN. " 1. Name 2. Canonicity
3. Contents 4.Author and Date 5. Original... 4.Author and Date: (1)Author....
Brook (75 Occurrences)
... Such discrimination is scarcely credible on the hypothesis that the Pentateuch is
by more than oneauthor, in later than Mosaic times, or that it is by any...
Flavius
... They are as follows: (1) Concerning the Jewish War, written before 79; we have the
Greek translation of this history by theauthor; there are 7 books: I, the...
Josephus
... They are as follows: (1) Concerning the Jewish War, written before 79; we have the
Greek translation of this history by theauthor; there are 7 books: I, the...
Quote (4 Occurrences)
... 1. (vt) To cite, as a passage from someauthor; to name, repeat, or adduce, as a
passage from anauthor or speaker, by way of authority or illustration; as, to...
Jeremy (2 Occurrences)
... amanuensis. 3. Contents: In the so-called letter (see 1, above) theauthor
shows the absurdity and wickedness of heathen worship. The...
Finisher (1 Occurrence)
... and comes from teleioo, "to complete," "to make perfect"; hence, it means finisher
in the sense of completing; the King James Version "theauthor and finisher...
Father (11359 Occurrences)
... etc.). (3) Theauthor or beginner of anything is also so called; eg, Jabal
and Jubal (Genesis 4:20, 21; Comp. Job 38:28). Applied...
Resources
What does it mean that Jesus is the author and perfecter of our faith (Hebrews 12:2)? | GotQuestions.orgWhat does it mean that God is not the author of confusion? | GotQuestions.orgWho wrote the Book of Hebrews? Who was the author of Hebrews? | GotQuestions.orgAuthor: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
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