Bob Mitchell of the Last Days Watchman Channel claims that the Jewish people wrote the Bible when the New Testament was originally written in Greek.
Analyzing the Claim: "The Jewish People Wrote the Bible" in Light of the New Testament’s Greek Origins
Introduction
The assertion that "the Jewish people wrote the Bible," as stated by Bob Mitchell of the Last Days Watchman channel, warrants careful examination, particularly in light of the New Testament. This claim, while partially rooted in historical truths about the Hebrew Bible (Old Testament), becomes problematic and inaccurate when applied to the New Testament. The New Testament was originally written in Greek, not Hebrew or Aramaic, and its authorship reflects a more complex cultural and religious milieu than the statement suggests. This essay explores the inaccuracies of this claim by analyzing the linguistic, historical, and cultural contexts of the Bible’s composition.
The Bible as a Collection of Texts
The Bible is not a single book but a collection of diverse texts written over centuries by multiple authors from different backgrounds. It is traditionally divided into two main parts:
The Old Testament (Hebrew Bible): Primarily written in Hebrew, with some portions in Aramaic.
The New Testament: Written originally in Koine Greek.
Understanding this division is crucial to evaluating the claim about authorship.
The Old Testament and Jewish Authorship
The Old Testament, also known as the Tanakh in Judaism, was indeed written predominantly by Jewish authors. These texts include the Torah (Pentateuch), the Prophets, and the Writings, which were composed over many centuries by various Jewish scribes, prophets, and scholars. The Old Testament reflects Jewish religious beliefs, history, laws, and poetry, and it forms the sacred scripture of Judaism.
Thus, the statement that "the Jewish people wrote the Bible" is accurate only when referring to the Old Testament. However, even here, it is important to note that the Old Testament was compiled and edited over time, involving multiple contributors and redactors.
The New Testament: Greek Language and Diverse Authorship
Language
The New Testament was written in Koine Greek, the common lingua franca of the Eastern Mediterranean during the first century CE. This choice of language was strategic, aimed at reaching a broad audience across the Roman Empire, which included Gentiles (non-Jews) as well as Jews.
Authors
The New Testament consists of various genres: Gospels, letters (epistles), and apocalyptic literature. Its authors include:
Paul the Apostle: A Jewish Pharisee who converted to Christianity and wrote many epistles in Greek.
The Evangelists (Matthew, Mark, Luke, John): Traditionally attributed authors with varying backgrounds; for example, Luke is often considered a Gentile Christian.
Other writers: Including John of Patmos (Revelation) and other early Christian leaders.
While many New Testament authors were Jewish by ethnicity or heritage, the texts were composed in a Hellenistic cultural context and aimed at a mixed audience of Jews and Gentiles.
Jewish vs. Christian Identity
The New Testament reflects the early Christian movement, which emerged from Judaism but developed distinct beliefs, especially concerning Jesus as the Messiah. The authors identified as followers of Jesus Christ, not simply as Jewish scribes. This distinction is critical because it marks a theological and cultural shift from traditional Jewish scripture.
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