Introduction of Bibliology
David Basel
2026-03-16 10:35:40 || 4 min read
Bibliology
The English Term Bible
The English word Bible came from the Greek word biblios (βίβλος) (Matt. 1:1) and biblion (βιβλίον) (Luke 4:17), which tells that it is a book. Ancient books were written on biblus or papyrus reed, a tall plant that grows in the Nile River in Egypt.
The word Bible literally comes from the material (papyrus/biblus) that was used to write the Scriptures. The Old Testament Scriptures were written on papyrus scrolls.
In the Old Testament we find prophets using plural words (Daniel 9:2). Later it was used by Christian churches. From the middle of the second century the Scriptures were spoken of as the books, the holy books, the divine books, or canonical books.
The Bible is at once a library and a book.
Let's see how in the Old Testament and in the New Testament the Bible is shown and explained:
1. The Law and the Prophets
We can see that the Hebrew Scriptures are divided into two parts: The Law and the Prophets.
Law:
The Law is used as an indication or quotation from the first five books of the Bible (the Pentateuch).
Matt. 12:15; John 10:34; 12:34; Isaiah 28:11–12 = 1 Corinthians 14:21.
Jesus and Paul refer to the Old Testament collectively as the Law and the Prophets (Matt. 5:17; 7:12; Romans 3:21).
It is also mentioned as the Law, the Prophets, and the Psalms:
Then He said to them, “These are my words that I spoke to you while I was still with you, that everything written about me in the Law of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms must be fulfilled.”
— Luke 24:44
Scripture and Scriptures
Scripture typically refers to a particular passage, whereas Scriptures refers to the whole.
The word Scripture comes from the Latin word meaning “the writings.”
Scripture is used in:
Mark 12:10
Luke 4:21
John 2:22
The Scriptures is used in:
Matthew 22:29
Mark 12:24
Word of God
This term is very significant and the most commonly used term in the Bible. The most common meaning of the Word of God is the Holy Scriptures (the Bible).
God Himself revealed His truth and will through prophets and apostles, who wrote it down. This term is a complete term, and it is applied to both the Old Testament and the New Testament in written form.
The Bible is rightly called the Word of God
It is God-breathed (2 Tim. 3:16).
It comes from the very mouth of God (Deut. 8:3; Matt. 4:4).
Means of Special Revelation
Special revelation is the way God reveals Himself directly and personally to people. In the Old Testament we see that God spoke with His people in different ways. Some of them are given below:
1. Theophanies (Christophanies)
The word theophany is derived from Greek words:
Theos = God
Phaino = to appear or to show
So we can see that theophany means an appearance of God. A theophany is a visible manifestation of God to humans in the Old Testament.
It does not mean that people were able to see His full essence, because the Bible is clear that no one can see God fully and live.
For example, in Exodus 33:20:
“You cannot see my face, for man shall not see me and live.”
Examples of Theophanies in the Bible
God appearing to Abraham — Gen. 18:1–2
To Isaac — Gen. 26:2
To Jacob — Gen. 32:30
To Moses — Ex. 3:2–6; 33:11
To Gideon — Judges 6:12, 14–18
Dreams and Visions
To Jacob — Gen. 28:12–16
To Solomon — 1 Kings 3:5–15
To Daniel — Dan. 2:19, 28; 7:1; 10:7–8
Direct Contact
To Balaam — Num. 22:9; 23:7
To Moses — Ex. 33:11
Miracles and Signs
The Prophets
Jesus Christ
The Scriptures
John 17:17
Sufficiency of Special Revelation
The sufficiency of special revelation teaches that the Word of God contains everything necessary for:
Knowing God
Understanding salvation
Living a holy and obedient life
Teaching and guiding the church
Special revelation gives a limited knowledge of God
Deut. 29:29
Rom. 11:33
1 Cor. 13:12
Rev. 10:4
Special revelation gives a vast and adequate revelation which contains all that God wants man to know at present
2 Tim. 3:15–17
2 Pet. 1:3
Conclusion
In conclusion, the Bible is the Word of God that has been inspired by Him and is the complete story of His special revelation to mankind. God has revealed His truth to man through prophets, visions, miracles, and finally through Jesus Christ and the Bible. Although we can only know God to a limited extent, we can know God through the Bible as well as understand salvation and a faithful life. In that respect, the Bible is the ultimate authority to all men of faith.
