Why are there Different Books in the Bible?

(By Raymond Isbell)

Question: Why are there different books in the Bible?

Answer: This is a very good question, and one that I’m not sure anyone can answer completely.  At bottom, the Bible with its 66 books was chosen by God as His primary communication tool with man.  It is a compendium of written records that allows man to understand his identity and purpose in God’s plan (as well as God’s plan itself).  The central figure in the Bible is, of course, Jesus Christ.  Norman Geisler in his book, A General Introduction to the Bible, Revised and Expanded says,  “The books of the Bible were not arbitrarily put together. Instead, they form a meaningful and purposeful whole, as they convey the progressive unfolding of the theme of the Bible in the person of Christ. The law gives the foundation for Christ, history shows the preparation for Him. In poetry there is an aspiration for Christ and in prophecy an expectation of Him. The Gospels of the New Testament record the historical manifestation of Christ, the Acts relate the propagation of Christ, the Epistles give the interpretation of Him, and in Revelation is found the consummation of all things in Christ.” Your question essentially is asking, “Why did God design it the way He did?”  I’m not sure any man can answer such a profound question.  As I pondered it, my mind went to Rom 11:33-36, which states:

Oh, the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments and His ways past finding out! “For who has known the mind of the LORD? Or who has become His counselor?” “Or who has first given to Him And it shall be repaid to him?” For of Him and through Him and to Him are all things, to whom be glory forever. Amen.

This passage tells us that God’s decisions and His ways are so deep that we cannot possibly measure them.  However, because we are personal beings and God wants an eternal relationship with us, He must communicate with us in meaningful ways.  He chose to do so with the 66 books of the Bible that were written over an extended period of time.  The answer, therefore, to your question, is that the Bible does not provide a direct answer.  However, given the extent of revelation we are given in the Bible, God’s purpose for laying it out in books written over a long period of time will likely become clear to you as you grow and learn the content of the Bible.  When that happens, I suspect that your concern for how God provided His truth to you will be eclipsed by that truth itself.  Remember, the Bible is the mind of Christ (1 Cor 2:16).  When your thoughts and your ways begin to align with Jesus Christ’s, your outlook on life and your values will change.  You’ll begin to see life the way Jesus Christ sees it.  You will understand the concept of grace, and you will find peace and purpose in life.  God will show you great and mighty things in His Word.