Who Wrote the Bible? Searching for Its Origins and Authors

By: Joel S. Baden, The Great Courses

Narrated by: Joel S. Baden

From the first centuries CE to the present, the question of who wrote the Bible has fascinated readers, theologians, and scholars. While countless viewpoints have circulated, the matter of who wrote the Bible remains a compelling issue.

In these 24 eye-opening lectures, Professor Baden takes you deeply into the history of both the Hebrew Bible and the New Testament, as you explore essential topics such as:

• The Foundations of the Torah. Discover that the Bible’s first five books contain four independent and contrasting texts woven together and honoring multiple perspectives on Israel’s relationship with God.
• The Writing of the Prophets. Learn that the book of Isaiah is composed of two distinct prophetic texts; in Jeremiah, learn about the writing of the book by Baruch, Jeremiah’s scribe.
• Proverbs and Ecclesiastes. Investigate their attribution to Solomon and note that the books’ wholly divergent worldviews (spiritual wisdom vs. pessimism) demonstrate that the Bible holds disparate and contrasting perspectives at the same time.
• Chronicles. In this second biblical telling of the history of the Israelites, observe how the writing whitewashes events of the reigns of Israel’s kings, as Chronicles tells Israel’s history from its own vantage point, for its own time.
• Luke and the Book of Acts. Trace the connections between the writing of the Gospel of Luke and Acts; grasp how the texts recount historical events to communicate something larger—a call for the founding of the Christian church.
• Revelation. Investigate the identity of “John,” whose name appears as the author of the book. Note the ways in which Revelation offers a vision of divine victory to Christians suffering brutal oppression by Rome.

In shedding light on core questions about the Bible’s writing, Who Wrote the Bible? Searching for Its Origins and Authors offers you a provocative and enlightening look at the creation of this beloved book—a foundational document of our culture and civilization.

PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying PDF will be available in your Audible Library along with the audio.

©2025 The Great Courses (P)2025 The Teaching Company, LLC

The question “Why?”

Dr B’s course delivery is interesting, clear and understandable - but not an easy topic. It challenges the listener to think - and to ponder questions that are not obvious on the surface. He is not satisfied with just presenting the information and telling you what you think you should know. He continues to ask the listener questions - with the hardest one being “why”. This course is not just a transfer of knowledge, but an invitation to expand the knowledge of yourself. Along the way, you get the treat of listening to an expert in the field, with a sharp wit (I swear his one-liners are used to determine if you are paying attention), walk through the minefield of Biblical historical criticism with respect for both the Hebrew Bible and the New Testament. If you are ready to hear what he has to say - it might be that next step you have been waiting to take in addressing issues you might have with those books. I was for me. Thank you Dr. B.

Extremely engaging

I cannot recomend this lecture series highly enough.

The lecturer has clearly studied the subject in depth. His lectures are compelling, right from the start. He is able to make a subject which could easily be dry and stuffy become very, very engaging.

His pace is good. He gives enough detail to make things interesting, but does not give so much as to drown you in the details.

I had two favorite themes:

First, it was interesting to see how he tells that his reading is that, some of the books have two or three authors. For example, who he calls "First and Second Isiah." He gives details from the text to support his theory (for example, historical context.) He talks in detail, and supports his theory with specific examples.

Second, I found it really interesting to hear him speak about how the bible was written to prove a specific point or to send a specific message to readers in the time and place when it was written. For example, the prophesies about the end of times was not, according to the lecturer, about 2,000 years later. It was right around the corner from when it was written.

He talks at length about the four authors of the pentateuch and follows them through the first five books.

Last, i also found it interesting that the lecturer asserts that some parts of the bible were not written by the person to whom we usually ascribe them. The lecurer asserts that the actual author used someone else's name to give more weight to what they are writing. For example, the lecturer asserts that some of the Psalms of Solomon (or perhaps all of them) were not written by Solomon but by someone else. The actual author used Solomon's name because it gave more authority to their writing.

I am not doing the lecturer justice. Get the lectures. You will not regret it.

Engaging yet sober

Clear and engaging lecturer. Does not indulge in wild speculation or personal hobby horses like many Biblical scholars, conservative or liberal.