Lesson 3.4: The Origin, Canonization, and Preservation of the Bible

The Law / Pentateuch (5)

• Genesis

  ~1440–1400 BC

  Moses

  Creation, the Fall, the Flood, and God's covenant with Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and Joseph.

• Exodus

  ~1440–1400 BC

  Moses

  Deliverance from Egypt, the giving of the Ten Commandments, and the building of the Tabernacle.

• Leviticus

  ~1440–1400 BC

  Moses

  Laws on holiness, sacrifices, priesthood, and worship.

• Numbers

  ~1440–1400 BC

  Moses

  Israel's wilderness wanderings, censuses, and preparation to enter Canaan.

• Deuteronomy

  ~1400 BC

  Moses

  Moses' final sermons and the renewal of the Covenant before entering the Promised Land.

Historical Books (12)

• Joshua

  ~1380 BC

  Joshua (with additions by Phinehas/Eleazar)

  Conquest and division of Canaan among the 12 tribes.

• Judges

  ~1050–1000 BC

  Samuel

  Cycles of Israel's sin, oppression, repentance, and deliverance through God-appointed judges.

• Ruth

  ~1000 BC

  Samuel

  A story of redemption, loyalty, and the ancestral lineage of King David and Jesus Christ.

• 1 Samuel

  ~930 BC

  Samuel, Nathan, and Gad

  The rise of the monarchy, King Saul's fall, and David's anointing.

• 2 Samuel

  ~930 BC

  Nathan and Gad

  The reign and trial of King David.

• 1 Kings

  ~560 BC

  Jeremiah

  Solomon's reign, the building of the Temple, and the division of the kingdom into Israel (North) and Judah (South).

• 2 Kings

  ~560 BC

  Jeremiah

  The decline, fall, and exile of both kingdoms.

• 1 Chronicles

  ~450 BC

  Ezra

  Genealogies and David's kingdom from a priestly, spiritual perspective.

• 2 Chronicles

  ~450 BC

  Ezra

  History of Judah's kings, temple worship, and the Babylonian captivity.

• Ezra

  ~440 BC

  Ezra

  Return of the Jewish remnant from Babylon and the rebuilding of the Second Temple.

• Nehemiah

  ~430 BC

  Nehemiah

  Rebuilding the walls of Jerusalem and spiritual renewal.

• Esther

  ~470 BC

  Mordecai

  God's providential protection of His people in Persia.

Poetry & Wisdom (5)

• Job

  Date uncertain

  Unknown (Traditionally Job or Moses)

  Sovereignty of God, suffering, and divine justice.

• Psalms

  ~1000–400 BC

  David (73+), Asaph (12), Sons of Korah (11), Solomon (2), Moses (1), Ethan (1), Anonymous

  Songs of worship, prayer, prophecy, and lamentation.

• Proverbs

  ~950–700 BC

  Solomon (primary), Agur, King Lemuel

  Godly wisdom, instruction, and practical living.

• Ecclesiastes

  ~935 BC

  Solomon

  The vanity of life without God and the purpose of man.

• Song of Solomon

  ~960 BC

  Solomon

  A poetic celebration of marital love, covenant, and passion.

Major Prophets (5)

• Isaiah

  ~700–680 BC

  Isaiah

  Prophecies of judgment, comfort, the Suffering Servant, and the Coming Messiah.

• Jeremiah

  ~586 BC

  Jeremiah

  Warnings of coming judgment to Judah, exile, and the promise of a New Covenant.

• Lamentations

  ~586 BC

  Jeremiah

  A poetic grief over the destruction of Jerusalem.

• Ezekiel

  ~570 BC

  Ezekiel

  Visions of God's glory, judgment on nations, and the restoration of Israel.

• Daniel

  ~530 BC

  Daniel

  God's kingdom over earthly empires, prophecies of the end times, and visions of the Son of Man.

Minor Prophets (12)

• Hosea

  ~715 BC

  Hosea

  God's redeeming love illustrated through Hosea's marriage to an unfaithful wife.

• Joel

  ~835 BC

  Joel

  The Day of the Lord, repentance, and the outpouring of the Holy Spirit.

• Amos

  ~750 BC

  Amos

  Divine justice against social oppression and hypocrisy.

• Obadiah

  ~840 or 586 BC

  Obadiah

  Judgment on Edom for pride and cruelty against Israel.

• Jonah

  ~760 BC

  Jonah

  God's mercy extended to Nineveh and the prophet's resistance.

• Micah

  ~700 BC

  Micah

  Judgment on injustice and the prophecy of the Messiah born in Bethlehem (Micah 5:2).

• Nahum

  ~650 BC

  Nahum

  The fall and divine judgment of Nineveh.

• Habakkuk

  ~605 BC

  Habakkuk

  Questioning God's timing and learning that 'the just shall live by faith.'

• Zephaniah

  ~625 BC

  Zephaniah

  The coming Day of the Lord and the restoration of a humble remnant.

• Haggai

  ~520 BC

  Haggai

  Exhortation to rebuild the Lord's Temple post-exile.

• Zechariah

  ~520–480 BC

  Zechariah

  Messianic visions (King on a donkey, pierced Savior) and future glory.

• Malachi

  ~430 BC

  Malachi

  Rebuke of spiritual apathy and the promise of Elijah preparing the way for Christ.

The Gospels (4)

• Matthew

  ~AD 60–65

  Matthew (Levi)

  Jesus as the promised Jewish Messiah and King of Kings (written for a Jewish audience).

• Mark

  ~AD 55–65

  John Mark (recording Peter's eyewitness account)

  Jesus as the Suffering Servant and Son of God (fast-paced narrative for a Roman audience).

• Luke

  ~AD 60–62

  Luke (physician and historian)

  Jesus as the perfect Son of Man and Savior of all humanity (written for a Greek audience).

• John

  ~AD 85–90

  John (the Apostle)

  Jesus as the eternal Logos, the Son of God, and the source of eternal life.

Church History (1)

• Acts of the Apostles

  ~AD 62–64

  Luke

  The birth of the Church, the outpouring of the Holy Spirit, and the global spread of the Gospel.

Pauline Epistles (13)

• Romans

  ~AD 57

  Paul

  The theology of salvation by grace through faith, justification, and spiritual authority.

• 1 Corinthians

  ~AD 55

  Paul

  Addressing church disorder, spiritual gifts, unity, and the resurrection.

• 2 Corinthians

  ~AD 56

  Paul

  Paul's apostolic authority, suffering, and the ministry of reconciliation.

• Galatians

  ~AD 48

  Paul

  Defense of Christian liberty against legalism; faith vs. works of the law.

• Ephesians

  ~AD 60–62

  Paul

  The believer's spiritual riches in Christ, the mystery of the Church, and spiritual warfare armor.

• Philippians

  ~AD 60–62

  Paul

  Joy in Christ despite circumstances, humility, and perseverance.

• Colossians

  ~AD 60–62

  Paul

  The supreme headship, deity, and sufficiency of Jesus Christ.

• 1 Thessalonians

  ~AD 51

  Paul

  Encouragement in persecution and the return of Christ.

• 2 Thessalonians

  ~AD 51–52

  Paul

  Clarification on the Day of the Lord and steadfastness in work.

• 1 Timothy

  ~AD 62–64

  Paul

  Pastoral instructions on church leadership, sound doctrine, and order.

• 2 Timothy

  ~AD 66–67

  Paul

  Paul's final letter before martyrdom: endurance, preaching the Word, and finishing the race.

• Titus

  ~AD 62–64

  Paul

  Appointing godly elders, sound doctrine, and good works.

• Philemon

  ~AD 60–62

  Paul

  A personal plea for forgiveness and reconciliation for a runaway servant, Onesimus.

General Epistles (8)

• Hebrews

  ~AD 64–68

  Unknown (Traditionally linked to Paul, Barnabas, Apollos, or Luke)

  The superiority of Jesus Christ over angels, Moses, and the Old Covenant priesthood.

• James

  ~AD 45–48

  James (half-brother of Jesus)

  Practical faith in action, endurance, and guarding the tongue.

• 1 Peter

  ~AD 62–64

  Peter (Apostle)

  Hope in the midst of suffering, holy living, and standing firm in grace.

• 2 Peter

  ~AD 65–68

  Peter (Apostle)

  Warning against false teachers, growth in knowledge, and the day of the Lord.

• 1 John

  ~AD 85–90

  John (Apostle)

  Fellowship with God, light vs. darkness, love, and assurance of salvation.

• 2 John

  ~AD 85–90

  John (Apostle)

  Walking in truth and love, and guarding against deceivers.

• 3 John

  ~AD 85–90

  John (Apostle)

  Commending hospitality in truth and warning against arrogant leadership.

• Jude

  ~AD 65–80

  Jude (half-brother of Jesus)

  Contending earnestly for the faith against apostasy.

Apocalyptic / Prophecy (1)

• Revelation

  ~AD 95

  John (Apostle)

  Visions received on the Island of Patmos detailing Christ's victory over evil, His glorious return, final judgment, and the New Jerusalem.