Can We Count on the Bible? (5) The Canon of the New Testament.

Can We Count on the Bible? (5)

The Canon of the New Testament

How the Word of God Spread•Within a few decades gospel

was “preached to every creature under heaven” Col. 1:23• How did that happen?

How the Word of God Spread• Jesus revealed the word of God Jn 14:10, 24; 5:19, 7:16• He promised the Holy Spirit – John 14:25-26, 16:7-11• The Apostles spoke with

authority – 1 Cor. 2:6-14,

How the Word of God Spread• The written letters were circulated

almost immediately – Col. 4:16, 1 Thess. 5:27 – Read to allGalatians 1:2 – churches of GalatiaRev. 1:11 – 7 churches of Asia1 Pet. 1:1 – “To pilgrims…”

How the Word of God Spread• Consider: IF the New Testament

is the word of God, is it unreasonable to think that He had a hand (providentially) in its preservation?

Compiling the Books of the NT• The first recorded record of all

27 books was 367 AD in a letter written by Athanasius. NOT first recognition of Books were mentioned and (partial) lists compiled very early!

Compiling the Books of the NT• Why the need for a NT Canon?1.As Gospel spread need to verify which ones

were true. 2.With end of age of miracles and prophets,

true writings needed to be verified3.The growth of heretical movements4.As gospel spread to foreign lands, need for

translations5.Persecutions – “Who wanted to die for just a

religious book?”

Compiling the Books of the NT• Criteria for determining canonicity1.Did it possess the quality of

inspiration? 2.Did it have apostolic authority

Either an apostle or one with the apostles.

3.Did it agree with canon of truth? 4.Was work accepted and circulated

by early churches?

Compiling the Books of the NT•MOST books are mentioned very

early, in the 2nd century• The “church fathers” – a group

of influential church leaders & theologians from 2nd – 6th centuries who works lend evidence to NT integrity.

Compiling the Books of the NTThe contribution of the “church fathers”• NOT inspired! Don’t forget this!• They helped identify books that were

accepted as inspired.• They quoted from NT books helping to

compile its context• They helped construct a history of

church development and heresies.

Compiling the Books of the NTThe “church fathers”

• Clement of Rome (in 95 AD) – wrote a letter to the Corinthians referencing Matthew & Luke. Also familiar with Hebrews, Romans, Corinthians, 1 Timothy, Titus, 1 Peter and Ephesians

Compiling the Books of the NTThe “church fathers”

• Ignatius (martyred 110 AD) – Quoted from a total of 8 lettersMatt. & Luke, Acts, Rom., etc.• Polycarp (70-155 AD), elder in

Smyrna – identified 17 books of New Testament.

Compiling the Books of the NTThe “church fathers”

• “The first three outstanding church fathers… used bulk of the New Testament…only Mark, 2 & 3 John, Jude & 2 Peter are not clearly attested.”

Milton Fisher, The origin of the Bible

Compiling the Books of the NTThe “church fathers”

• Irenaeues of Lyons (~120-~200) In “Against Heresies” quotes or alludes to all books of New Testament except, Philemon, 2 Peter, 3 John & Jude. Attests to the FOUR gospels.

Compiling the Books of the NTThe “church fathers”

•Marcion (144 AD) – A heretic who rejected the Old Testament, identified Luke and listed all of Paul’s epistles, except 1 & 2 Timothy and Titus (though he changed many of them)

Compiling the Books of the NTThe “church fathers”

• Valentinus (100-160 AD) – A Gnostic, but he referenced all four gospels, Romans –Colossians, 1 Peter, 1 John & Revelation. Wrote, “Gospel of Truth”, a Gnostic gospel which was patently rejected

Compiling the Books of the NTThe “church fathers”

• The Muratorian Canon (dated ca. 200 AD) – a manuscript written in 8th century was a copy of this document. Consisted of a list of books beginning with Luke – Philemon, 1 & 2 John, Jude & Revelation. Beginning of document is missing (implies Matt & Mark.)

Compiling the Books of the NT• In all, 20 of the 27 books were

accepted WITHOUT question very early.

Compiling the Books of the NT•What about the other 7 books? • NOTE: These books were not

generally rejected, but there were questions by some. The were “slow” to be accepted!

Compiling the Books of the NTBooks questioned and why:

• Hebrews – because author was unknown, referenced earlier.• James – teachings on faith and

works compared to writings of Paul. Same message to two different groups and reasons.

Compiling the Books of the NTBooks questioned and why:

• 2 Peter – Most disputed 1) Different style than 1st Peter 2) 3:2-4 makes reference to earlier generation 3) Mention of letters of Paul (2 Pet. 3:15-16) 4) Materials similar to Jude

Compiling the Books of the NTBooks questioned and why:

• 2 & 3 John – limited circulation and private nature.• Jude – mentioned a prophecy of

Enoch not recorded in OT.• Revelation – Apocalyptic nature.

Question more about interpretation than inspiration!

Compiling the Books of the NTBooks questioned and why:

• NOTE: Such scrutiny demonstrates the high standard set for recognition as inspired and canon. In short time, all of these were accepted universally by professing Christians (except liberal theologians).

Books Not Accepted• Books rejected as canon fit into

two categories• Pseudepigrapha (rejected by

virtually all)• Apocryphal (rejected by most,

but accepted by some)

Books Not Accepted• Books rejected by all•Gnostic gospels – Gospel of

Thomas, Gospel of Peter, Gospel of Truth, etc. – content and date• Gospel of Ebionites – stressed

keeping Old Law and heresies about Jesus – content and date

Books Not Accepted• Apocryphal books• Shepherd of Hermas – allegory about Jesus

and Hermas - too alegorical, dated 2nd century• 1 Clement – ca 95-96 AD to Corinth,

questionable content and unavailable (complete) until 1873• Epistle of Barnabas – early enough, and

similar to Hebrews in content - filled with allegory and anti-Jewish. Questionable content and doubtful authorship

Books Not Accepted• Apocryphal books• Didache, “Teaching of the Twelve” – (100-120

AD) A manual of church order and practices- too late, unknown author, lost and rediscovered in 1873.• Epistle of the Laodiceans – possible letter

referenced in Col. 4:16, Included in early Bibles. Not discovered until late 3rd or early 4th century. Too suspicious.• Many others like these were rejected for

numerous reasons. MOST apocryphal writings only accepted locally or by a few church leaders.

WE CAN trust the Bible we have before us

Let us seek not only to defend it, but also to apply it in our lives