How the Bible Came to Be

Course Description

The English Bible that we read today looks nothing like what was available to Jesus and the disciples. Almost everything that we now take for granted about the Bible – chapters, verses, paragraphs, translations, study notes, and even what books are included – is the result of a long and fascinating process. This course aims to tell the story of how the Bible can to be, from the earliest texts and traditions to modern translations and versions. Along the way, we will focus on the historical, theological, and technological factors that have shaped our modern notion of what the Bible is as well as how those factors impact the way we read Scripture today.

For more information, please email us at: candlerfoundry@emory.edu.

Meet the Instructors

Dr. Ryan Bonfiglio

Dr. Ryan Bonfiglio serves at Emory’s Candler School of Theology as an Associate Professor in the Practice of Old Testament. He also is the Executive Director of The Candler Foundry, an initiative that seeks to bridge the gap between the church and the academy by making seminary-level learning accessible and engaging for the broader public. His work through The Candler Foundry offers opportunities for theological exploration outside of Candler’s formal degree programs, including the TheoEd speaker series, in-depth courses led by Candler faculty for churches or communities, and an 8-month online certificate program offering micro credentials in various areas of ministry and leadership. His research and teaching interests include ancient biblical metaphors, the Bible and Poverty, and various topics in Old Testament theology. He is currently working on a book that explores the biblical theology of the Sabbath (Westminster John Knox). 

If you have any questions about the course, please feel free to reach out to Ryan at rbonfig@emory.edu.

Dr. Elizabeth Arnold

Elizabeth "Ebby" Arnold is the Scholar in Residence for The Candler Foundry. She holds a PhD in New Testament from Emory University and her dissertation focuses on the wilderness in Luke-Acts. Through both The Candler Foundry and Candler’s MDiv program, Ebby teaches courses on a variety of subjects, including the Gospels, Romans, 1-2 Corinthians, and Luke-Acts. Ebby is currently creating Candler Foundry's Foundations in Faith and Leadership, an online certificate program for community- and church-based theological education. Her research areas include the literary interpretation of scripture, humor and emotion in the Bible, and the intersection of the church and the academy.

If you have any questions about the course, please feel free to reach out to Ebby at elizabeth.arnold@emory.edu.

Course Materials

Please check this section regularly for your weekly course recordings and important updates. If you are experiencing any delays or issues, please email us at: candlerfoundry@emory.edu.

Week 6

Explore your theological questions

As a registered participant in the Courses in the Community program, you get 1 year of free digital access to the premier theological library in North America. You can use your digital account to research topics from this course, explore theological questions, and more! On the start date of your course, you will receive an invitation to set your password and gain access using the email you registered for the course with.

Please view the “Login Instructions” below for more information.

Share Your Feedback

Your feedback is important to us! Throughout your time in this course, you are encouraged to let us know how we are doing. Please click on the button below to submit a short survey or submit any comments you would like to share with our team. We look forward to serving you!