Quote:
Originally Posted by Esaias
How do we know what books are in fact 'inspired', and are the Word of God?
The issue of canonicity has been debated since the third century at least, probably earlier. Different writers, churches, councils, movements etc have offered up their opinions on what the 'Bible' consists of. While there has been widespread agreement on many of the New Testament books, several (the epistles of Peter, the Apocalypse, the epistle of Jude, etc) have been vigorously contested by various groups and individuals in the early days. Also, many 'lists' or canons of the Word of God have included epistles and writings that are nowadays generally not found in Bibles, such as the Apostolic Constitutions, the Didache, the epistles of Clement, Hermas, and some others.
The Old Testament is less debated, but even there a cursory look at the history of 'the canon' shows churches and individuals have disagreed on which ones are inspired and which ones not - and in the cases of Esther and Daniel, which versions are inspired and which versions are not.
So my question is as follows:
How is the canon of Scripture to be determined, assuming you do NOT accept as inspired and God-directed the decrees of those various catholic 'ecumenical' Councils of churches/bishops which are often touted by Catholic, Orthodox, and Protestant theologians as being 'authoritative'?
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martin luther believed james wasnt inspired and took it out of his book.
The early church, the first century church used the old testament. that was their bible.
the gospels and the epistles would come later. when you see discussions between Paul and timothy about scripture. they always refer to the old testament.
I view the new testament gospels as personal testimonies, since there is similiarites in each of matthew mark and luke, yet differences i would relate them as to us going to a movie then three of us write our own personal commentary over it,
I have many issue with the book of john. I consider it a later addition and view it as church history
issues with the early church was over books such as second peter, hebrews and revelations. they didnt believe peter wrote 2nd peter, but considered it inspired.
textually the author(s) of the gospel of john is different than the author of the letters of john and the revelation of john
however i believe all are enough to increase your faith in Christ Jesus.