Michael Coogan : Bible seen as unassailable divine authority , but it was written by men , not God . Written over course of 1,000 years , each writer reflecting values of his day , he writes . Much in Bible rejected : Slavery , women as property , pork as abomination , Coogan says . On issues such as slavery , no one today would maintain that slavery is acceptable , even though , according to the Bible , it was a divinely sanctioned institution . Comment: Bible 's true timeless message is equal , even loving , treatment of all people .
Michael Coogan : Bible seen as unassailable divine authority , but it was written by men , not God . Written over course of 1,000 years , each writer reflecting values of his day , he writes . Much in Bible rejected : Slavery , women as property , pork as abomination , Coogan says . Comment: Bible 's true timeless message is equal , even loving , treatment of all people .