How We Got the Bible (Part 2 of 2) by Rick Duggin
(Reprinted from Biblical Insights, http://www.biblical-insights.org/)
Which Books Belong In The Bible?
In the ancient world a "canon" was a reed, a tool used
for measurement, much like our ruler, often translated by the
English word "rule" as in Galatians 6:16: "And
as many as walk according to this rule." To scholars, the
canon is the list of books that compose the Bible. The standards
for including Old Testament books were the following:
1. Was the book accepted in past Hebrew collections? The Talmud,
a collection of ancient rabbinical writings, accepts the same
thirty-nine books that we have.
2. Did Christ refer to the book?
3. Did the apostles (or other New Testament writers) refer to
the book?
4. Does the book contain internal evidence of inspiration?
5. Is the book free of contradictions and absurdities?
The standards for including New Testament books were:
1. Apostolic approval. New Testament books are not authoritative
because they made the canon list; they made the list because they
are authoritative.
2. Genuineness. Is it the product of the one for whom it is claimed?
3. Authenticity. Is it a record of facts accurately recorded?
Paul's concern for genuineness and authenticity explains why he
signed his epistles (2 Thess 3:17; Gal 6:11). Spurious epistles
were already a problem in Paul's day (2 Thess 2:2).
4. Testimony. What are the contents of the book itself, and what
is the testimony of early writers regarding the book?
Churches collected these writings, viewing them as much a part of God's word as they did the Old Testament. "For this reason we also thank God without ceasing, because when you received the word of God which you heard from us, you welcomed it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which also effectively works in you who believe" (1 Thess 2:13). The quotations of New Testament writers themselves encouraged this attitude. In 1 Timothy 5:18, Paul quotes part of Luke 10:7, "The laborer is worthy of his wages," and labels it "Scripture." Peter alludes to the epistles of Paul and ranks them with "the rest of the Scriptures" (2 Pet 3:16).
Origen (185-254) mentions most books of the New Testament by name, stating that a few were disputed by some. Eusebius (265-339) mentions all as approved except James, Jude, 2 Pet; 2-3 John. He wanted to reject Revelation because he wrongly thought it taught millenarianism. Bruce Metzger affirms: "though the fringes of the canon remained unsettled for a while, there was actually a high degree of unanimity concerning the greater part of the New Testament within the first two centuries. And this was true among very diverse congregations scattered over a wide area" (Lee Strobel, The Case For Christ, 66, Zondervan; quoted by permission). William Barclay adds: "It is the simple truth to say that the New Testament books became canonical because no one could stop them doing so (ibid. 67)."
New Testament epistles were intended for more than one congregation. For example, "To the church of God which is at Corinth, to those who are sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints, with all who in every place call on the name of Jesus Christ our Lord, both theirs and ours" (1 Cor 1:2). "Now when this epistle is read among you, see that it is read also in the church of the Laodiceans, and that you likewise read the epistle from Laodicea" (Col 4:16).
People often ask why our Old Testament does not include the
Apocryphal books (1 and 2 Esdras, Tobit, Judith, Additions to
Book of Esther, Wisdom of Solomon, Ecclesiasticus, Baruch, Letter
of Jeremiah, Prayer of Azariah, Susanna, Bel and the Dragon, Prayer
of Manasseh, 1-4 Maccabees, Psalm 151). The reason for their omission:
1. Jesus never quoted them. [This alone would not exclude them
from the canon.]
2. Most early writers regarded them as uninspired.
3. They did not appear in the ancient Hebrew canon.
4. They are inferior in quality. Generally, these books contain
legendary nonsense and gross historical errors. [1 Maccabees is
largely an exception.] Even Roman Catholics have rejected some
of the Apocryphal books.
The Christian can rejoice that God has preserved his word through the centuries, and has supplied it to us in a language that we can understand. True gratitude compels us to study it both deeply and widely that we may be equipped to share it with others who need to know God's will.
The Prayer of the Humble by W. Frank Walton (wfwalton@juno.com)
"Why do You stand afar off, O LORD? Why do You hide Yourself
in times of trouble?....O LORD, You have heard the desire of the
humble; You will strengthen their heart, You will incline Your
ear to hear" (Psalm 10:1,17)
In this lament, the Psalmist is disheartened by God's silence.
Problems and wickedness abound. He admits his honest doubts that
the Lord seems to be doing nothing about a world filled with trouble.
God seems far away. Yet, despite present difficulties, he encourages
himself by remembering the power of prayer to God. He believes
the promise of God that He is near (Psa 119:151). We should take
comfort that God sees and cares and hears, even the seemingly
insignificant believer (Psa 18:6, 65:2).
One of the greatest things a child of God can do is constantly
tap into God's providential power by prayer. "The effective,
fervent prayer of the righteous man avails much" (Ja 5:16).
We may sometimes think prayer does little good because we may
not see immediate results. Yet, God delights in a praying faith
of the humble and upright (Prov 15:8). Any and every obedient
believer, no matter how humble or seemingly insignificant in the
eyes of men, is righteous before God (Gal 3:6-8).
So, do we really believe what the Bible says about the power and
potential of prayer to our Creator? Any faithful child of God,
unimpressive to men but precious to the heavenly Father, can get
a hearing at the control center of the universe!
We can be a blessing to others, if we just care enough to intercede
on their behalf. I thought of "the prayer of the humble"
when I visited a good sister in the nursing home. Her name is
Verna. She has been a Christian for many years, and she has spent
recent years in a nursing home. She is completely bedfast. When
you see her, her hands shake from the ravages of Parkinson's disease.
Tomorrow she is scheduled to have her legs amputated due to poor
circulation.
A while back, I visited Verna. She said she always reads every
word in the church bulletin sent to her. She read where I had
been to Ethiopia for a couple of weeks to preach. She told me,
"I'm glad you made it back safely. I prayed everyday for
you while you were gone."
I was touched. (She also said, "You look better than you
did last time I saw you. Have you lost some weight?" Hey,
thanks for noticing!) So, here is a sister in unremitting pain
and discomfort. She lies isolated in a nursing home, filled with
the elderly and infirmed, many alone and forgotten. Yet, her solitary
prayer, rising out of obscurity, is carried by the wings of faith
to before the throne of Almighty God. She said prayer is the only
thing she can do; what a great thing any believer can do!
Here are some thought provoking quotes:
* Prayer moves the Hand that moves the world.
* Prayer can do anything that God can do.
* Prayer girds human weakness with divine strength.
* Prayer is our weakness leaning on omnipotence.
* Prayer must really mean something to us, if it will mean anything
to God.
* Prayer is men cooperating with God in bringing heaven's good
plans for us on earth.
"Continue steadfastly in prayer" (Rom 12:11).
With persistent faith, let us resolve to tap into heaven's grace
on earth, so we are strengthen, others are helped and God is glorified.
IN THE WORLD (Selected from The Beacon.)
- An estimated $276 Billion is lost every year in the U.S.
on untreated alcohol abuse and alcoholism.
- Current estimates show over 15 million in U.S. abuse alcohol
and/or drugs.
- Alcohol abuse ranks among the top causes oof "preventable
deaths" every year in the U.S.
- The yearly cost of alcohol abuse to every man, woman and child
in the nation is roughly $1050 per person.
Statistical data obtained through:
U.S. Department of Health & Human Services
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration
Center for Substance Abuse Treatment
Proverbs 20:1 "Wine is a mocker, strong drink is raging: and whosoever is deceived thereby is not wise."
MARK YOUR CALENDARS
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34748.
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MONTHLY BIBLE READING: 2 Kings and 2 Chronicles
QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS
BIBLE INSIGHT is published
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Carey Dillinger is the editor. He can be reached at the church
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