How did we get our Bible?
Over the years, many secularists have made the claim that the Bible was written by men and therefore subject to error. While Christians do not deny the fact that it was written by men, we do believe that the men who wrote the Bible were under the influence of the Holy Spirit, which made it possible for mere men to act entirely on God's behalf, without making a mistake. In other words, we believe the Bible is inspired. The Bible itself makes this claim in 2 Timothy 3:16, "All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness." The Greek word for inspiration is theopneustos, which means, divinely breathed in: given by inspiration of God. While it would be circular reason to make the claim that the Bible is inspired because it says it's inspired, we have many reasons beyond this verse to believe it is inspired (see Is the Bible Inspired).
Christians take it a bit further because, not only do we believe that the authors were inspired, we also believe that the selection process of the books themselves was guided by divine inspiration. Initially the letters went out and the many churches made copies of the original documents, so there was consensus about the majority of the books. By the final selection process, there were a few letters still in question, along with a few impostor letters that had to be weeded out. Believers are convinced that the early church got it right.
The term “canon” is used to describe the books of the Bible that are divinely inspired. Those chosen to comment on the final list did not take this responsibility lightly. The first qualification was to determine if the book or letter was universally accepted by the church as inspired. The second step was determining the authenticity of the author which had to be an apostle or someone closely related. There were other qualifications, but the point is that these church leaders took great precaution to ensure that the final list of books that make up the New Testament was the group of books that were God breathed, inspired by the Holy Ghost.
Who Wrote the Bible?
Our Bible was authored by about 40 different people, over the course of about 1,600 years. The Old Testament was written by kings (David, Solomon), a political leader (Moses), boy turned Prime Minister (Daniel), shepherd (Amos), and prophets (Isaiah, Nehemiah). The New Testament was written by a tax collector (Matthew), fishermen (Peter, James, John), doctor (Luke), and a religious leader (Paul). Yet with such diversity, all the books of the Bible miraculously tie together in theme and message. Each generation built on the other. Moses believed Abraham, David believed the writings of Moses, Jesus quoted from David, Paul quoted from Jesus, Peter quoted from Paul. Authors do not give very flattering accounts of themselves, which support their authenticity. Sin, weaknesses, and cowardice are shown in as much light as their greatest accomplishments.
How did the New Testament Become Canon?
During the first century, letters were written by the apostles and circulated to the early churches. The letters were copied and then sent along to other churches. It is estimated that by the end of the first century, tens of thousands of New Testament documents were in circulation. This is important because the extensive number of copies protected the church from fakes and counterfeits, as they were able to check their list against others.
How long did it take? – Clement, Archbishop of Rome, quotes from most of the New Testament books by the end of the first century. By the middle of the second century, church fathers were quoting from all of the New Testament documents as we have them today. We have 32,000 quotes from before 325 A.D., from Irenaeus (182-188 A.D.), Justin Martyr (before 150 A.D.), Polycarp (107 A.D.), Ignatius (100 A.D.), Clement (96 A.D.) and many other first-, second- and third-century fathers. All but eleven verses of the New Testament can be reconstructed through their writings alone.
Tertullian stated that by 150 A.D., the Church in Rome had compiled a list of the New Testament books, which closely matches our list today. The first “canon” was the Muratorian Canon, which was compiled around 170 A.D. The Muratorian Canon included all of the New Testament books except Hebrews, James, and 3 John. By 240 A.D., Origen’s list matches ours and he referred to it as the New Testament. Church Council of Hippo 393 and Church Council of Carthage 397 simply ratified the 27 books of the New Testament with what was already believed to be established canon.
Over the years, many have said that the New Testament is the product of powerful church leaders. But the truth is, it was a very organic process, with input from churches all over the Mediterranean, Europe, and Africa.
Why do Roman Catholics have more Old Testament Books than Protestants?
On April 8, 1546 the Council of Trent approved the Apocrypha as canon among Roman Catholics. Since that time Catholics have read from an Old Testament that contains 46 books, instead of 39. Protestants reject those seven books on several grounds:
Though they are rejected by Protestants, there is not much in these books by way of church doctrine, rather they read more like history during the 400 years between Malachi and the Gospels.
Articles
The Canon and Extra-Canonical Writings Apologetics Press
Biblical Canon Consevapedia
Christians take it a bit further because, not only do we believe that the authors were inspired, we also believe that the selection process of the books themselves was guided by divine inspiration. Initially the letters went out and the many churches made copies of the original documents, so there was consensus about the majority of the books. By the final selection process, there were a few letters still in question, along with a few impostor letters that had to be weeded out. Believers are convinced that the early church got it right.
The term “canon” is used to describe the books of the Bible that are divinely inspired. Those chosen to comment on the final list did not take this responsibility lightly. The first qualification was to determine if the book or letter was universally accepted by the church as inspired. The second step was determining the authenticity of the author which had to be an apostle or someone closely related. There were other qualifications, but the point is that these church leaders took great precaution to ensure that the final list of books that make up the New Testament was the group of books that were God breathed, inspired by the Holy Ghost.
Who Wrote the Bible?
Our Bible was authored by about 40 different people, over the course of about 1,600 years. The Old Testament was written by kings (David, Solomon), a political leader (Moses), boy turned Prime Minister (Daniel), shepherd (Amos), and prophets (Isaiah, Nehemiah). The New Testament was written by a tax collector (Matthew), fishermen (Peter, James, John), doctor (Luke), and a religious leader (Paul). Yet with such diversity, all the books of the Bible miraculously tie together in theme and message. Each generation built on the other. Moses believed Abraham, David believed the writings of Moses, Jesus quoted from David, Paul quoted from Jesus, Peter quoted from Paul. Authors do not give very flattering accounts of themselves, which support their authenticity. Sin, weaknesses, and cowardice are shown in as much light as their greatest accomplishments.
How did the New Testament Become Canon?
During the first century, letters were written by the apostles and circulated to the early churches. The letters were copied and then sent along to other churches. It is estimated that by the end of the first century, tens of thousands of New Testament documents were in circulation. This is important because the extensive number of copies protected the church from fakes and counterfeits, as they were able to check their list against others.
How long did it take? – Clement, Archbishop of Rome, quotes from most of the New Testament books by the end of the first century. By the middle of the second century, church fathers were quoting from all of the New Testament documents as we have them today. We have 32,000 quotes from before 325 A.D., from Irenaeus (182-188 A.D.), Justin Martyr (before 150 A.D.), Polycarp (107 A.D.), Ignatius (100 A.D.), Clement (96 A.D.) and many other first-, second- and third-century fathers. All but eleven verses of the New Testament can be reconstructed through their writings alone.
Tertullian stated that by 150 A.D., the Church in Rome had compiled a list of the New Testament books, which closely matches our list today. The first “canon” was the Muratorian Canon, which was compiled around 170 A.D. The Muratorian Canon included all of the New Testament books except Hebrews, James, and 3 John. By 240 A.D., Origen’s list matches ours and he referred to it as the New Testament. Church Council of Hippo 393 and Church Council of Carthage 397 simply ratified the 27 books of the New Testament with what was already believed to be established canon.
Over the years, many have said that the New Testament is the product of powerful church leaders. But the truth is, it was a very organic process, with input from churches all over the Mediterranean, Europe, and Africa.
Why do Roman Catholics have more Old Testament Books than Protestants?
On April 8, 1546 the Council of Trent approved the Apocrypha as canon among Roman Catholics. Since that time Catholics have read from an Old Testament that contains 46 books, instead of 39. Protestants reject those seven books on several grounds:
- They were not included in the Hebrew canon.
- Neither Jesus nor the apostles quote from the seven books.
- None of the books claim to be inspired.
- Early church fathers such as Origen, Athanasius, and Jerome rejected the books.
Though they are rejected by Protestants, there is not much in these books by way of church doctrine, rather they read more like history during the 400 years between Malachi and the Gospels.
Articles
The Canon and Extra-Canonical Writings Apologetics Press
Biblical Canon Consevapedia