The Bible is not a single volume but a collection/anthology of writings put together over many centuries. Further, the canon of scripture was decided after several hundred years after the writing of the most recent book (Revelation). Which is all to say that the Bible, at least in the cited references, cannot be self-referential because “the Bible” didn’t exist at the times of those references. They were all individual writings. So Revelation, for instance, is referring to the words of the prophecy contained in Revelation, NOT the Bible.
Jesus quotes Genesis, Exodus, Psalms and Isaiah treating them as one authoritative Scripture despite them being individual books.
Paul cites “Scripture” while quoting multiple books
Peter calls Paul’s letters “Scripture” before any formal canon existed.
I agree that the books of Scripture were written individually and only later recognized as a canon. The Christian claim is that they share one divine Author. That’s why Scripture itself consistently warns against adding to God’s revealed word across covenants and genres. The unity isn’t based on later binding, but on a coherent, progressive revelation that Christians believe culminates in Christ and the apostolic witness.
The Bible is not a single volume but a collection/anthology of writings put together over many centuries. Further, the canon of scripture was decided after several hundred years after the writing of the most recent book (Revelation). Which is all to say that the Bible, at least in the cited references, cannot be self-referential because “the Bible” didn’t exist at the times of those references. They were all individual writings. So Revelation, for instance, is referring to the words of the prophecy contained in Revelation, NOT the Bible.
Jesus quotes Genesis, Exodus, Psalms and Isaiah treating them as one authoritative Scripture despite them being individual books.
Paul cites “Scripture” while quoting multiple books
Peter calls Paul’s letters “Scripture” before any formal canon existed.
I agree that the books of Scripture were written individually and only later recognized as a canon. The Christian claim is that they share one divine Author. That’s why Scripture itself consistently warns against adding to God’s revealed word across covenants and genres. The unity isn’t based on later binding, but on a coherent, progressive revelation that Christians believe culminates in Christ and the apostolic witness.