We think we know what a bible is. But what was the process of formation? What about marginal documents? How close can we get to the original texts? How were the books used (over time)? How does changing technology affect this? And what are the problems of translation (at first and now)? Therefore, what can safely be said about authority and relationship to religious bodies? I propose to explain widely-held scholarly views, with ample opportunity for discussion. The course is in many ways a study of human believers, both Jewish and Christians, who created, preserved and used, and translated the texts. It is not, of course, an attempt to make converts. No knowledge of Hebrew, Greek or Latin, or of papyrus, parchment, paper, calligraphy, moveable type printing or bookbinding, will be assumed.