How We Got the Bible

¶ … Bible: Canonical Developments

Canonicity is a term used to describe the "sacred books distinguished and honored as belonging to God's inspired word" (Keathley, 2013). This particular term has, since the fourth century, been applied to the books of the Bible. Conservative Christians and Jews today recognize the 39 Old Testament books as inspired; the Roman Catholics, 88 (because of the semi-canonical apocrypha), and the Evangelical Protestants, the 27 New Testament books (Keathley, 2013). These were, however, not the only books written during the NT and OT periods. A number of questions, therefore, arise; what criterion was used in determining whether or not to include a book in the Bible? Why should Christians today trust these books as reliable, considering the massive changes the world has undergone since their inception? This text provides answers to these questions.

Historical Evidence of the Books that Make up Both the Old and New Testament Cannon (Bible)

The Old Testament: A number of historical writings and events give support to the canonicity of the Old Testament; i) Josephus (A.D 37-100) held that according to the Jews, only 22 books were sacred. These 22 sacred books incorporate the 39 OT books we have today (Keathley, 2013); ii) Jamnia's concerns in A.D 90, regarding the admissibility of Ecclesiastes, Esther and the Song of Solomon, revolved around a canon that was essentially in existence (Keathley, 2013); iii) the Church Fathers' acceptance of the 39 books as canonical; and iv) the Prologue to Ecclesiasticus in 200 B.C. makes reference to a three-fold division of books, human conduct precepts, hymns, prophets and the law, which are significant OT constructs (Keathley, 2013).

The New Testament: i) Clement of Rome (A.D. 95), Ignatius of Antioch (A.D. 115), and Polycarp - John's disciple (A.D. 108), wrote letters in which they made reference to eight, seven and fifteen books of the New Testament respectively (Keathley, 2013); ii) the Muratorian Canon recognized the canonicity of the 27 books, with the exception of one of John's epistles, James and Hebrews (Keathley, 2013). Athanasius and the council of Laodicea later affirmed the canonicity of these three, making the New Testament a completely recognized canon (Keathley, 2013).

What Criterion Was used to Determine Whether Or Not to Include a Book in the Bible? Why should they (The Books) be Trusted After All These Years?

The decision as to whether or not a book deserved to be held as part of the Bible was based upon its self authenticity, decisions of men, the debates over canonicity, and the book's ability to complete the canon (Keathley, 2013). Since the Bible itself is self-authentic, its books had to be too. Self authenticity implies that the books had to contain sufficient intrinsic inspiration, such that "it was not necessary to wait until various councils could examine the books to determine if they were acceptable or not" (Keathley, 2013). Debates would be held in case a book was not self-authenticating, yet contained significant inspiration. In such a case, the decision would be based upon the book's accuracy in factual representation, and its ability to indicate that it was indeed God speaking through the author (Keathley, 2013).

Since Christians believe in the existence of a caring, loving God, then they ought to believe that "He would, out of love, and for his own purposes and designs, reveal Himself to men" to protect them from perishing due to sin (Keathley, 2013). Moreover, the aspect of canon completion ensures that no deletions or additions are made to the canon. Christians should, therefore, trust the books of the Bible because completion ensures that what they have in record today is what God spoke through His inspired writers centuries ago (Miller, 2004).