Catch A Tiger by its Toe

Photo Credit by funkeymunkey1

How did we get the books of the Bible that we have today? Or to rephrase, how did we get the canon of Scripture?

First a good definition of canon is: the list of all the books that belong in the Bible.

The Old Testament talks about how each of the books became included. First, God writes down the two tablets for Moses (he broke them and rewrote them) and he continued to write what God told him to.

Many places in the Bible the text is introduced or concluded with; “and the Lord said,” or something equivalent. This continued from when Moses lived until roughly 400 B.C. Then, God sent no more prophets until John. I can’t imagine living in that window of time; those must have been incredibly hard years for the Jews. Has God left us? Does he still love us? But there were men and women who still worshipped in Spirit and Truth.

And then we have the New Testament. Most of it is written by the apostles which is what gives it authority but there are some that aren’t. The evidence that means most to me is not trust in the Council of Nicaea or even the historical evidence that backs it up; no, the evidence that means the most to me is that I see God in the Scriptures. I see Him speaking into my heart. I see who I was and who I am with clarity.

Scripture is a double-edged sword that pierces my soul and spirit, joints and marrow, and discerns my thoughts and intentions.[1] Those who are God’s know his voice.[2] My confidence, your confidence, should not be in human authority but God’s. I know that God is faithful, even when I am faithless. There has been no strong argument for books to be added to the Bible for over a millennium and a half. Tell me, what have Christians agreed on besides that and basic tenants of the faith? We should take confidence in the fact that God speaks through His word to our hearts.

Some might point out Jehovah’s Witness or Mormons. Haven’t they had “new revalations?” I absolutely disagree because their extra books hold more authority in their own circles and the Bible is fundamentally changed in their translations. Jehovah’s Witnesses have the Watchtower that has its own ‘translation’ of the Bible and the same with Mormons, it is by Joseph Smith. Joe is the guy who had an “angel of light” reveal to him all of the garbage in the Book of Mormon.

“But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach to you a gospel contrary to the one we preached to you, let him be accursed.”[3]

From this verse we can say, if anyone preaches a gospel other than Christ and Him crucified, they are not representing God.

---

[1] Hebrews 4:12, unless otherwise noted ESV

[2] John 10:27

[3] Galatians 1:8

Related articles

• Mormon Teachings Compared To Biblical Christianity (pilgrimpassing.wordpress.com)

It’s a Bird! It’s a Plane! It’s Jesus?

Acts 1:10-11a

“And while they were still gazing into heaven as he went, behold, two men stood by them in white robes, and said, ‘Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking into heaven?…”
As people, today, we do this. We become so heaven focused that we forget the last, lost and least among us. I have a couple of friends who are utterly focused on heaven and heavenly thoughts.

There have been times in my life where all I thought about was learning more about God. My heart didn’t reflect God’s heart towards others; therein lies the problem. If, by studying systematic theology, the knowledge does not travel from my head to my heart, I am chasing after the wind.

“And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and all your mind and with all of your strength.” Mark 12:30

When we do this, God gives us more of our heart back to love and care for others.
There is of course, the other side. People, Christians, can be so focused on the things that they’re doing that they lose sight of the goal. They lose sight of why we’re doing what they’re doing. Why are you helping the poor? Why are you serving food? Why are social justices important? IS it so you can think of all the things you’ve done? Is it because you want to think about all of the good things you’ve done?

So then, where are we left? If it sounds difficult to live by faith through works, that’s because it is. But thanks be to Christ Jesus that died to save us from our sins. Though my sins were like scarlet, through the propitiation of Christ, I am made whiter than snow. It is only through the renewing power of Jesus Christ, the Word of God, can I be made alive again.

Corcovado jesus (Photo credit: @Doug88888)