How did we get the Bible?

Summary

The video explores the process of the Christian canon's formation, focusing on both the Old and New Testaments. It contrasts two views on canonization: one sees it as a collection of writings authorized by an external force, while the other sees it as a collection of inherently authoritative writings. The Old Testament canon was recognized early, affirmed by Jesus and the apostles. For the New Testament, the recognition of its authority evolved gradually, with early church fathers implicitly acknowledging the 27-book canon. The process was meticulous, ensuring that only apostolic writings were included, reflecting a commitment to preserving authentic Scripture.

Takeaways

• 😀 The canon refers to the collection of writings considered authoritative by Christians, and the debate exists whether it's an authorized collection (imposed by an external authority) or a collection of inherently authoritative writings.
• 😀 Evangelical Protestants believe that the scriptures have inherent authority, while the Catholic view holds that the church invests this authority in the canon.
• 😀 The New Testament canon was completed when the last book was written around A.D. 90, though it took time for it to be universally recognized.
• 😀 The Old Testament canon was completed around 430 B.C. with the book of Malachi, but there was a gradual recognition of its closure among the Jewish community.
• 😀 The Old Testament canon that Christians recognize aligns with the Hebrew Scriptures found in Jewish synagogues today, though the arrangement differs.
• 😀 The New Testament writings were composed between the 40s and A.D. 90, with a growing recognition of their inherent authority, as seen in scriptures like 2 Peter 3:16.
• 😀 Early church fathers, like Ignatius and Irenaeus, recognized the authority of the New Testament books through their quotes and references, creating an implicit canon.
• 😀 There were other books circulating during the early church period, some of which did not make it into the New Testament canon, like the Gospel of Peter.
• 😀 Eusebius, an early church historian, categorized books into those universally accepted as authoritative, those debated, and those rejected as spurious.
• 😀 The canon was formally recognized in the 4th century, with the 27-book New Testament canon listed by Athanasius in 367 A.D. and later affirmed in councils like Hippo Regius and Carthage.
• 😀 Early Christian leaders were extremely careful to avoid adding non-apostolic writings, ensuring that only writings genuinely associated with apostles were included in the canon.

Q & A

What is the fundamental question when discussing the Christian canon?

The fundamental question is whether we are looking at an 'authorized collection of writings,' where an external authority declares certain writings as authoritative, or a 'collection of authoritative writings,' where the writings have inherent authority regardless of recognition.

What is the difference between an 'authorized collection' and an 'authoritative collection' of writings?

An 'authorized collection' refers to writings deemed authoritative by an external force or authority, while an 'authoritative collection' refers to writings that have inherent authority, recognized as such regardless of external validation.

How does the evangelical Protestant view differ from the Catholic view regarding the canon?

The evangelical Protestant view believes in an inherent authority within the Scriptures, while the Catholic view holds that the Church's authority is responsible for declaring certain writings as authoritative.

When was the New Testament canon completed?

The New Testament canon was completed around A.D. 90, when the last book of the New Testament was written. However, it took time for it to be universally recognized.

When was the Old Testament canon completed?

The Old Testament canon was completed around 430 B.C. with the writing of the book of Malachi. However, there was a process of recognition and closure by early Jews.

How did Jesus and the apostles view the Old Testament canon?

Jesus and the apostles recognized the Old Testament as closed and authoritative, as evidenced by how they referred to and quoted the Old Testament Scriptures, such as in John 10 where Jesus says, 'the Scripture cannot be broken.'

What was the early church's recognition of the New Testament writings?

The early church, despite challenges such as geographic separation, began to recognize the New Testament writings as authoritative. This recognition can be seen through the way early church fathers quoted these writings as authoritative, forming a functional canon.

What role did the early church fathers play in recognizing the New Testament canon?

The early church fathers, such as Ignatius and Irenaeus, implicitly recognized the authority of New Testament writings through their citations. Although there were other books circulating, the early fathers played a role in affirming the authenticity and apostolic origin of the canonical books.

When was the 27-book New Testament canon formally recognized?

The 27-book New Testament canon was formally recognized in the late 300s through the Councils of Hippo Regius and Carthage, although it was first listed in Athanasius' Easter letter in 367 A.D.

What was the process for determining which writings were accepted into the New Testament canon?

The process of recognizing the New Testament canon involved ensuring that writings were apostolic, inspired, and consistent in their teachings. Non-apostolic writings, such as those falsely attributed to apostles, were weeded out over time through discussions, debates, and careful consideration.