Do people really believe the Bible is one book!?

The Bible was written by over 40 authors who came from just about every walk of life conceivable, including fisherman, kings, a butler, priests, and a tax collector. The 66 books of the Bible were written over a 1,500 year span in three languages on three continents.

Edit: Constantine was not the decider of the canon. In fact, he played no role in its assembly; the church at large was responsible. By the time of Origen (185-254 A.D.), there was general acceptance on nearly all of the New Testament we have today. There was a ongoing discussion on only six epistles to be part of the New Testament canon in a certain area of the church (Hebrews, James, 2 Peter, 2 John, 3 John, and Jude.) Nobody questioned which Gospels should be included, they were accepted for along time. New Testament dates they were written: Matthew, 50-70 AD, Matthew; An eyewitness. Mark, 50-70 AD, Mark; An eyewitness. Luke, 56-60 AD, Luke who compiled the eyewitnesses accounts; John, 85-95AD, John; An eyewitness. These are the dates accepted by conservative scholars who are not liberals.

At Council of Nicea in 325 - Athanasius in his debate with Arius quoted from almost all the books of the New Testament, (not from the Gnostic gospels) he said the 27 books are the springs of salvation, do not add or take away from them. So these were already accepted by the Church need no council to affirm them.

Christine, you're the answer to this question. Your "church" criticizes Catholicism at every junction and the Trinity but you have your own "translation" of THE CATHOLIC CANON. It's a grouping of books that were thought to be pertinent by Saint Augustine and others; at the time of their writing there were not just the books which are now part of the Bible. You're [the "church" of Jehovah's Witnesses] merely putting your own spin on the canon that was picked by the Church (the real church, that is, the Holy Apostolic Catholic Church). Read this, the Nicene creed: we believe "..in one holy catholic and apostolic Church; we acknowledge one baptism for the remission of sins; we look for the resurrection of the dead." If you omit the holy Catholic church doesn't it sound like what you spout? So Christine, open your eyes. Use reason. I know that's difficult but really try.

And in response to the original question it's not one book. I have faith in God but I know that it is writings by a bunch of people. There are inconsistencies. There are problems. That's because God is divine but humans are human. The Bible is a human production. It doesn't matter if God inspired it, humans make mistakes. There are many other books written at the same time with differing opinions that didn't make it into the canon. That doesn't mean there isn't a God or their message doesn't matter. People insist on the Bible being a flawless, divinely inspired book because they think that God can work perfectly through them. He can't. He can positively influence us but our muddy human handprints will still be all over it.

Dude, that is a most excellent question. I was always the impression that at some point in history some folks gathered up their favorite religious texts and stuck them together and gave them the term Bible (which doesn't exactly mean a single perfect divine book now, does it?) How would that explain all the Apocrypha?

Anywho, I know a lot of Christians tend to place the Bible as equal to God, being it the word of God. Which is cool for their faith, don't get me wrong. But it doesn't fit what the Bible is format-wise.

So... culture thing? Lack of understanding?

EDIT:

And oh, I was referring to the council. Just in a roundabout and bitter way. I'll be more specific next time. Sorry to have confused you. =D

The following link contains an article published by Jehovah's Witnesses that is completely based on God's Word, the Bible, and uses the Bible as its main source: http://www.watchtower.org/e/bh/article_02.htm

I strongly encourage you to consider that article; I think it will clarify perhaps some misconceptions you have heard about the Bible and it's creation.

One paragraph from that article that I particularly appreciate is:

"Furthermore, the Bible “is inspired of God.” (2 Timothy 3:16) In what way? The Bible itself answers: “Men spoke from God as they were borne along by holy spirit.” (2 Peter 1:21) To illustrate: A businessman might have a secretary write a letter. That letter contains the businessman’s thoughts and instructions. Hence, it is really his letter, not the secretary’s. In a similar way, the Bible contains God’s message, not that of the men who wrote it down. Thus, the entire Bible truthfully is “the word of God.”—1 Thessalonians 2:13."

I hope that article, and its citations of the Bible can help you.

Bible was made by a committee in Rome to control the growing factions of religious fanatics.

In other words, the bible is a political product , put together from many different religions during Roman Empire's last days.

It's a literature book made by politicians.

It is one book now. Though it is compiled of many books written over the millennium it is now compiled into one body and is considered by Jews and Christians as the word of the Lord.

2 Timothy 3:16 "All scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness."

those inserts were added later

they were not in the original manuscripts

no I believe the Bible is ONE doorstopper