| | Shorter than some realize, the Bible consists of two parts: 27 short books and letters of the [[New Testament]] of the [[Christian]] [[faith]], and 39 books recognized by both Christianity and Judaism, known as the [[Old Testament]].<ref>Christianity adds a few additional books to the Jewish [[Old Testament]].</ref> The New Testament was originally written in [[Greek]] and the Old Testament in [[Hebrew]]; both have been translated into more than 2000 languages. | | Shorter than some realize, the Bible consists of two parts: 27 short books and letters of the [[New Testament]] of the [[Christian]] [[faith]], and 39 books recognized by both Christianity and Judaism, known as the [[Old Testament]].<ref>Christianity adds a few additional books to the Jewish [[Old Testament]].</ref> The New Testament was originally written in [[Greek]] and the Old Testament in [[Hebrew]]; both have been translated into more than 2000 languages. |
| − | The Bible is the biggest-selling book in history.<ref>The Bible continues to be the best-selling book ever. Americans alone buy 25 million Bibles a year, according to Publisher's Weekly. Bible sales are now reaching $609 million a year, with specialty Bibles available for myriad "niche" audiences, from motorcycle riders to campers, brides and archaeologists. "Immerse," a water-resistant Bible for troops overseas, is now available from publisher Bardin & Marsee. [http://www.washtimes.com/national/20070529-111815-7952r.htm Polls: Most believe Bible as God's word] - Jennifer Harper, ''The Washington Times'' - May 30, 2007] </ref> In addition, the Bible has had an immense influence and impact on literature, culture, and history. | + | The Bible is the biggest-selling book in history.<ref>The Bible continues to be the best-selling book ever. Americans alone buy 25 million Bibles a year, according to Publisher's Weekly. Bible sales are now reaching $609 million a year, with specialty Bibles available for myriad "niche" audiences, from motorcycle riders to campers, brides and archaeologists. "Immerse," a water-resistant Bible for troops overseas, is now available from publisher Bardin & Marsee. [http://www.washtimes.com/national/20070529-111815-7952r.htm Polls: Most believe Bible as God's word] - Jennifer Harper, ''The Washington Times'' - May 30, 2007] </ref> In addition, the Bible has had an immense positive influence on literature, culture, and history. |
| − | While the authorship of many books in the Bible is known, it remains a complete mystery to this day who wrote the highly intellectual [[Epistle to the Hebrews]], which is a short letter in the New Testament. | + | While the authorship of many books in the Bible is known, it remains a complete mystery who wrote the highly intellectual [[Epistle to the Hebrews]], which is a short letter in the New Testament. |
| | Most [[Christians]], Protestant and Catholic, agree on the 27 books of the [[New Testament]], but the Protestant Bible includes 39 books of the [[Old Testament]] while the Catholic Bible includes an extra 7 books, for a total of 73.<ref>The Catholic Bible includes these books that are not included in the Protestant Bible: | | Most [[Christians]], Protestant and Catholic, agree on the 27 books of the [[New Testament]], but the Protestant Bible includes 39 books of the [[Old Testament]] while the Catholic Bible includes an extra 7 books, for a total of 73.<ref>The Catholic Bible includes these books that are not included in the Protestant Bible: |