Truth you can trace
The books of the Bible
Who wrote each book, when, to whom, and what it is for, with disputed authorship stated as disputed.
Law
- Book introduction
Genesis
Establish origins of creation, sin, redemption-line, covenant people, Israel
Read - Book introduction
Exodus
Account of God's deliverance and covenant formation at Sinai
Read - Book introduction
Leviticus
Holiness laws and sacrificial system for covenant Israel
Read - Book introduction
Numbers
40-year wilderness experience between Sinai and entering Canaan
Read - Book introduction
Deuteronomy
Reaffirm and apply Sinai covenant for new generation entering land
Read
History
- Book introduction
Joshua
Conquest and settlement of promised land
Read - Book introduction
Judges
Period between Joshua and monarchy, covenant unfaithfulness and cyclical pattern
Read - Book introduction
Ruth
Story of God's providential care and David's genealogy and Gentile inclusion
Read - Book introduction
1 Samuel
Transition from judges to monarchy; Saul's rise and fall; David's anointing
Read - Book introduction
2 Samuel
David's reign, covenant and sin and consequences
Read - Book introduction
1 Kings
Solomon's reign and kingdom division and early divided-kingdom
Read - Book introduction
2 Kings
Divided kingdom's continuing decline and exile
Read - Book introduction
1 Chronicles
Theological re-telling of Davidic and Levitical history for post-exilic encouragement
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2 Chronicles
Solomonic and Judean monarchy from theological perspective
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Ezra
Return from Babylonian exile and temple rebuilding and covenant renewal
Read - Book introduction
Nehemiah
Rebuilding Jerusalem's walls and community covenant renewal
Read - Book introduction
Esther
God's providential preservation of Jewish people through Esther and origin of Purim
Read
Wisdom and Poetry
- Book introduction
Job
Meditation on suffering of the righteous and God's wisdom and ultimate trust
Read - Book introduction
Psalms
Israel's and Church's prayer book, full range of human-divine communication
Read - Book introduction
Proverbs
Practical wisdom for godly living
Read - Book introduction
Ecclesiastes
Honest reflection on life "under the sun" and final call to fear God
Read - Book introduction
Song of Songs
Multi-view, celebration of marital love / allegorical Christ and Church / both
Read
Major Prophets
- Book introduction
Isaiah
Call to covenant faithfulness and judgment and hope of Messianic deliverance
Read - Book introduction
Jeremiah
Calls Judah to repentance; announces judgment; promises New Covenant
Read - Book introduction
Lamentations
Mourning Jerusalem's destruction and appeal to God
Read - Book introduction
Ezekiel
God's glory and judgment of Judah and restoration promises
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Daniel
God's sovereignty over kingdoms and Messianic and eschatological hope
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Minor Prophets
- Book introduction
Hosea
God's love and Israel's unfaithfulness and restoration
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Joel
Locust plague as call to repent and Day of the Lord prophecy and Spirit-outpouring
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Amos
Social justice and judgment on Israel's hypocrisy
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Obadiah
Judgment on Edom and restoration of Judah
Read - Book introduction
Jonah
God's mercy on Nineveh and Israel's mission perspective
Read - Book introduction
Micah
Judgment and Messianic restoration hope
Read - Book introduction
Nahum
Nineveh's coming destruction (~100 years after Jonah's revival)
Read - Book introduction
Habakkuk
Wrestling with God's use of wicked Babylon to judge Judah
Read - Book introduction
Zephaniah
Day of the LORD warning and restoration promise
Read - Book introduction
Haggai
Encourage temple rebuilding
Read - Book introduction
Zechariah
Encouragement and Messianic prophecies
Read - Book introduction
Malachi
Confront half-hearted worship and announce coming Day and Elijah
Read
Gospels and Acts
- Book introduction
Matthew
Present Jesus as promised Davidic Messiah-King fulfilling OT
Read - Book introduction
Mark
Present Jesus as Son of God and suffering servant
Read - Book introduction
Luke
Orderly account establishing the certainty of Christian faith
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John
"These are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name" (John 20:31)
Read - Book introduction
Acts
Spread of gospel from Jerusalem to Rome
Read
Paul's Letters
- Book introduction
Romans
Comprehensive presentation of the gospel and Jew-Gentile unity in Christ
Read - Book introduction
1 Corinthians
Address divisions and immorality and worship and resurrection issues
Read - Book introduction
2 Corinthians
Defend apostolic ministry and reconcile and collection for Jerusalem
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Galatians
Defend gospel of justification by faith against Judaizers
Read - Book introduction
Ephesians
God's cosmic plan in Christ and church and Christian living
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Philippians
Thank for support and encourage unity and warn against false teaching
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Colossians
Combat false teaching with supremacy of Christ
Read - Book introduction
1 Thessalonians
Encourage young church and answer questions about Christ's return
Read - Book introduction
2 Thessalonians
Correct misunderstanding about Christ's return and warn against idleness
Read - Book introduction
1 Timothy
Church order and sound doctrine and pastoral leadership
Read - Book introduction
2 Timothy
Final exhortations to Timothy and faithful endurance
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Titus
Organize Cretan church and sound teaching and godly living
Read - Book introduction
Philemon
Plea for runaway slave Onesimus's reception as Christian brother
Read
General Letters
- Book introduction
Hebrews
Christ's superiority and warning against drifting from him
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James
Practical Christian living and faith demonstrated in works
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1 Peter
Encourage suffering believers and hope-grounded living
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2 Peter
Warn against false teachers and assure Christ's return
Read - Book introduction
1 John
Test of true Christianity and assurance and warning against early Gnosticism
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2 John
Walk in love and truth; refuse hospitality to false teachers
Read - Book introduction
3 John
Commend Gaius's hospitality and warn about Diotrephes
Read - Book introduction
Jude
Contend for the faith against false teachers
Read
Revelation
66 introductions, every one citing its sources. See our sources and licences.
On contested questions we show every major view, attributed and cited, and pick no winner. Answers are synthesized from primary sources, truth you can trace, not opinion.