The Bible is a unique book, the combined product of dozens of authors over centuries. It offers insight into the nature of God and humankind, and whether believed or not, its ideas and narrative are foundational to modern society. 

Here’s a skeleton summary of its narrative arc, beginning with five direct quotes from the Old Testament. In Part 2 we’ll look at the New Testament and the place of Jesus of Nazareth in the Bible.

“In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth…And God said, ‘Let there be light,’ and there was light. God saw that the light was good, and he separated the light from the darkness…Then God said, “Let us make mankind in our image, in our likeness.”

“So God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them…Thus the heavens and the earth were completed in all their vast array.”

“And the Lord God commanded the man, ‘You are free to eat from any tree in the garden; but you must not eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, for when you eat from it you will certainly die.’”

“When the woman saw that the fruit of the tree was good for food and pleasing to the eye, and also desirable for gaining wisdom, she took some and ate it. She also gave some to her husband, who was with her, and he ate it.”

“And the Lord God said, ‘The man has now become like one of us, knowing good and evil. He must not be allowed to reach out his hand and take also from the tree of life and eat, and live forever.’ So the Lord God banished him from the Garden of Eden to work the ground.”

The Hebrew Bible, or Old Testament, continues to tell the story of the people of Israel, filled with pain and suffering but waiting on a Messiah, or Savior, that would save them from their troubles. Many prophecies are included about the coming Savior:

About his birth: “The Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel (God with us).”

About his death: “A band of evil men has encircled me, they have pierced my hands and my feet.”

About the significance of the Messiah’s death: “He was oppressed and afflicted, yet he did not open his mouth; he was led like a lamb to the slaughter…he poured out his life unto death, and was numbered with the transgressors. For he bore the sin of many.”