What is the Bible?
Quick answer
The Bible is the collection of writings Christians receive as God's Word — sixty-six books over about 1,500 years, telling one story of God's redemption of his people through Jesus Christ.
The Bible is two Testaments: the Old (39 books from Genesis to Malachi) and the New (27 books from Matthew to Revelation). Christians call it Scripture — God's breathed-out Word.
It is one story across many genres — law, history, poetry, prophecy, gospel, letter, apocalypse. From beginning to end, the story leads to Jesus.
It is meant to be read, prayed, obeyed, and trusted — it is God's ordinary means of forming his people.
Original BibleDawn answer · reviewed 2026-06-07. Drafted with AI assistance and reviewed for accuracy.