Why I Say Holy Bible

I feel impelled to place the adjective “Holy” in front of the word “Bible” because the term “bible” in itself is not sufficient. The word “bible” is derived from the Greek word “biblia” which means “scrolls.”{1} So the term “bible” essentially means a collection of books – holy or not.

Naturally as other followers of Christ I would readily say the collection of books that are from Genesis to The Revelation that we reverently read, study, and teach from are certainly holy. And they are not holy because of some church decree, but they are inherently holy. Though God used men to write it, its precious content is God-breathed (2 Timothy 3:15-17, Young’s Literal Translation):  “and because from a babe the Holy Writings thou hast known, which are able to make thee wise — to salvation, through faith that is in Christ Jesus; 16  every Writing is God-breathed, and profitable for teaching, for conviction, for setting aright, for instruction that is in righteousness, 17  that the man of God may be fitted — for every good work having been completed.” I purposely used Young’s Literal Translation to show that the Greek means more than human inspiration, such as when a poet is inspired. Instead, the Holy Spirit moved upon holy men to write the holy collection of books.

Additionally, we often hear of works like a fisherman’s or photographer’s bible, handbooks that some depend upon. Too bad the term “bible” could not be reserved for the sacred text that spiritually feeds us, for such social use of the term causes some to think of the Holy Bible as a work of man and not of God.

Based on these things, and other reasons, I feel true Christians should unashamedly use the term “Holy” before the word “Bible” when referring to the sacred texts that God has entrusted to us. We should not bow to any complaint that we are offending other faiths-that is NOT the type of offense the Holy Bible tells us to avoid.

There are many more reasons why the term “Holy” should appear before “Bible” when speaking of the truly God given works from Genesis to The Revelation which, God, willing, we shall explore in upcoming articles.

Notes:

{1} Unger, Merrill F.: Unger’s Bible Handbook (Moody Press: Chicago, 1967)  p2

God willing, this shall be part of my Bible GemLight series as pearl019.