Did only men write the Bible?

Today's Doctrinal Rethink examines the prevalent idea that only men wrote the Bible. This assertion is typically used to bolster the idea that women in the Bible are essentially add-ins, they are not part of the formation of the faith, they are not to be leaders, and/or they are not part of God's plan for church operation.

We have previously examined the idea of women in church leadership here and here.

The Issue

Here's a representative expression of the issue:

Of 27 books of the New Testament, called “the words of Christ” in Hebrews 1:1, exactly zero were written by women. This means Jesus chose no women to recall his words or deliver them via Scripture.

As we consider this we first should note that no title of any book in the Bible identifies a woman as the author. But these titles, like the chapter and verse division, are not part of the original text, they were added later and should not be regarded as inspired.

Second, the inspired author is sometimes a matter of speculation (Ruth, Esther, and Hebrews for example). 

Third, we don't know who actually wrote down the words of Bible. The person who put pen to paper may have simply been a scribe, or may indeed have been the Holy Spirit-inspired person named in the title. We know Paul did not autograph at least some of his epistles. It is generally recognized that he dictated many of his letters via amanuenses. He writes:

Ga. 6:11 See what large letters I use as I write to you with my own hand!

This clearly implies that he wanted to emphasize his point by writing these words himself.

Paul probably dictated his letters to Timothy:

• 2Co. 1:1 Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, and Timothy...
• Ph. 1:1 Paul and Timothy, servants of Christ Jesus, To all the saints in Christ Jesus at Philippi...
• Col. 1:1 Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, and Timothy our brother...
• 1Th. 1:1 Paul, Silas, and Timothy...
• 2Th. 1:1 Paul, Silas, and Timothy...
• Phile. 1 Paul, a prisoner of Christ Jesus, and Timothy our brother, To Philemon...

Having armed ourselves with the knowledge that the Bible is completely inspired and trustworthy, yet autographed by a variety people, known and unknown, we shall now consider the matter at hand.

We are puzzled by those who would assert that no women "wrote" the Bible, for even the casual reader would discover that it is simply not true. To believe women contributed nothing to the Holy Writ would be to errantly omit important portions of Scripture where inspired women of God spoke His Word, both in the OT and the NT.

Women spoke inspired words, regardless of who wrote them down. The one who spoke the inspired words must be considered primary over the one who wrote those words.

Lastly, we would assert it to be of marginal importance to know whose hand actually wrote the words which became our Bible. In any case, it would be improper to conclude that only men wrote the Bible.

The Old Testament

First, let's review some of the inspired words of OT women.

1Sa. 2:1-10  

Hannah heard from the Lord:

1Sa. 2:1-10 Then Hannah prayed and said: “My heart rejoices in the LORD; in the LORD my horn is lifted high. My mouth boasts over my enemies, for I delight in your deliverance. 1Sa. 2:2 “There is no-one holy like the LORD; there is no-one besides you; there is no Rock like our God. 3 “Do not keep talking so proudly or let your mouth speak such arrogance, for the LORD is a God who knows, and by him deeds are weighed. 4 “The bows of the warriors are broken, but those who stumbled are armed with strength. 5 Those who were full hire themselves out for food, but those who were hungry hunger no more. She who was barren has borne seven children, but she who has had many sons pines away. 6 “The LORD brings death and makes alive; he brings down to the grave and raises up. 7 The LORD sends poverty and wealth; he humbles and he exalts. 8 He raises the poor from the dust and lifts the needy from the ash heap; he seats them with princes and has them inherit a throne of honor. “For the foundations of the earth are the LORD’s; upon them he has set the world. 9 He will guard the feet of his saints, but the wicked will be silenced in darkness. “It is not by strength that one prevails; 10 those who oppose the LORD will be shattered. He will thunder against them from heaven; the LORD will judge the ends of the earth. “He will give strength to his king and exalt the horn of his anointed.” 

Judges 5:1-9

Deborah's prophetic psalm, never before uttered.

1 On that day Deborah and Barak son of Abinoam sang this song: 2 When the princes in Israel take the lead, when the people willingly offer themselves — praise the LORD! 3 “Hear this, you kings! Listen, you rulers! I will sing to the LORD, I will sing; I will make music to the LORD, the God of Israel. 4 O LORD, when you went out from Seir, when you marched from the land of Edom, the earth shook, the heavens poured, the clouds poured down water. 5 The mountains quaked before the LORD, the One of Sinai, before the LORD, the God of Israel. 6 In the days of Shamgar son of Anath, in the days of Jael, the roads were abandoned; travelers took to winding paths. 7 Village life in Israel ceased, ceased until I, Deborah, arose, arose a mother in Israel. 8 When they chose new gods, war came to the city gates, and not a shield or spear was seen among forty thousand in Israel. 9 My heart is with Israel’s princes, with the willing volunteers among the people. Praise the LORD!

2Kg. 22:15-20

Huldah spoke a prophetic word:

 She said to them, “This is what the LORD, the God of Israel, says: Tell the man who sent you to me, 16 `This is what the LORD says: I am going to bring disaster on this place and its people, according to everything written in the book the king of Judah has read. 17 Because they have forsaken me and burned incense to other gods and provoked me to anger by all the idols their hands have made, my anger will burn against this place and will not be quenched.’ 18 Tell the king of Judah, who sent you to inquire of the LORD, `This is what the LORD, the God of Israel, says concerning the words you heard: 19 Because your heart was responsive and you humbled yourself before the LORD when you heard what I have spoken against this place and its people, that they would become accursed and laid waste, and because you tore your robes and wept in my presence, I have heard you, declares the LORD. 20 Therefore I will gather you to your fathers, and you will be buried in peace. Your eyes will not see all the disaster I am going to bring on this place.’“ So they  took her answer back to the king.

Ex. 15:20-21 

Miriam sang a prophetic song:

Then Miriam the prophetess, Aaron’s sister, took a tambourine in her hand, and all the women followed her, with tambourines and dancing. 21 Miriam sang to them: “Sing to the LORD, for he is highly exalted. The horse and its rider he has hurled into the sea.”

2Ch. 9:5-8

The queen of Sheba spoke a prophetic word:

She said to the king, “The report I heard in my own country about your achievements and your wisdom is true. 6 But I did not believe what they said until I came and saw with my own eyes. Indeed, not even half the greatness of your wisdom was told me; you have far exceeded the report I heard. 7 How happy your men must be! How happy your officials, who continually stand before you and hear your wisdom! 8 Praise be to the LORD your God, who has delighted in you and placed you on his throne as king to rule for the LORD your God. Because of the love of your God for Israel and his desire to uphold them for ever, he has made you king over them, to maintain justice and righteousness.”

The New Testament

Now let's consider some of the inspired women of the NT.

Lk. 1:41-45

Elizabeth spoke prophetically:

41 When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the baby leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. 42 In a loud voice she exclaimed: “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the child you will bear! 43 But why am I so favored, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? 44 As soon as the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the baby in my womb leaped for joy. 45 Blessed is she who has believed that what the Lord has said to her will be accomplished!”

Luke 1:46-55

Mary's prophetic utterance:

And Mary said: “My soul glorifies the Lord 47 and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, 48 for he has been mindful of the humble state of his servant. From now on all generations will call me blessed, 49 for the Mighty One has done great things for me — holy is his name. 50 His mercy extends to those who fear him, from generation to generation. 51 He has performed mighty deeds with his arm; he has scattered those who are proud in their inmost thoughts. 52 He has brought down rulers from their thrones but has lifted up the humble. 53 He has filled the hungry with good things but has sent the rich away empty. 54 He has helped his servant Israel, remembering to be merciful 55 to Abraham and his descendants for ever, even as he said to our fathers.”

Luke 2:36-38

Anna's words, though not recorded, were noted:

There was also a prophetess, Anna, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was very old; she had lived with her husband seven years after her marriage, 37 and then was a widow until she was eighty-four. She never left the temple but worshiped night and day, fasting and praying. 38 Coming up to them at that very moment, she gave thanks to God and spoke about the child to all who were looking forward to the redemption of Jerusalem.

Mark 16:7 

Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome were given a prophetic message:

But go, tell his disciples and Peter, "He is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see him, just as he told you."

So the literal word of the Lord came forth from the lips of women. Those words became Scripture. Those words carried unique and powerful Holy Spirit messages that changed the fate of nations, even the world.

Women, therefore, communicated the very word of God, and are a central part of God's redemptive plan. To overlook their contributions, inspiration, or impact on the Bible is an unfortunate and false perspective.