Bible Question: How did we get our bible and why do the Catholics have books that we don't? |
Bible Answer: Hello Thorn, Your question is one with a history of hot debate and I hope does not prove to be a thorn in the side of any users of this forum. (o; I will attempt to answer as briefly as possible, though I will undoubtably leave out much useful information. For further clarification, all you need to do is ask. In classical Greek the world "canon" signifies properly, "a straight rod," or "a carpenter's rule." The sacred writings received the name of the "Canon of the Scriptures." When, therefore, we use the term we may mean one of two things, or, indeed, both: 1. The Canon of Truth--referring to the restriction of the number of books that compose the sacred volume. As such it was first used in the year A.D. 367. 2. The Rule of Faith and Life--referring to the application of the sacred Scriptures as a rule of our lives. In this sense it is used in Galatians 6:16; Philippians 3:16. The formation of the Old Testament canon was composed of the writings which spread over many centuries. The New Testament canon was gradually added to that of the Old Testament. But it was some considerable time after our Lord's ascension before any of the books contained in it were actually written. The Apocrypha contains fourteen books, namely, 1 and 2 Esdras, Tobit, Judith, the rest of Esther, Wisdom, Ecclesiasticus, Baruch, the Song of the Three Children, the Story of Susannah, Bel and the Dragon, the Prayer of Manasses, and 1 and 2 Maccabees. The Apocryphal Books derive their name from a Greek word, apokruphos, which means "hidden." They are so called because they are,--(1) hidden; (2) of unknown authority; (3) spurious. They were not recognized as inspired books by the Jews, who regarded them, however as having high authority, and held them in high esteem as being a valuable history of their nation. Although they were carefully distinguished from the canonical Scriptures, their use was not only allowed, but many of them are quoted in Talmudical writings. They were given a place by themselves in the sacred volume, but with the distinct statement that they were not to be regarded as of equal authority with the books of the canon, their position being between the Old and New Testaments. We find them in some Bibles to-day--especially in Roman Catholic Bibles, since they are regarded by the roman church as inspired books. Following are from a book: "Seven Principles For Recognizing Canonical Books" by Bob and Gretchen Passantino Is it authoritative? Did it come with the authority of God? Is it prophetic? Was it written by a man of God? Is it authentic? Did it tell the truth about God, man, etc.? Is it dynamic? Did it come with the life-transforming power of God? Was it received (i.e. collected, read, and used)? Was it accepted by the people of God? Was it written by an authoritative writer, a founding stone of the church or an eyewitness to the events? Did the people who knew of the alleged events have the chance to falsify them? Copyright 2001 by Bob and Gretchen Passantino |
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Questions and/or Subjects for Bible general Archive 3 | Author | ||
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bro .leon | ||
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thorn | ||
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Tim3:16 | ||
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Marcela | ||
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scapoferri | ||
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ASuba | ||
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djktk | ||
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luv2praisegod247 | ||
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kalos | ||
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kalos | ||
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Lawrence Obasi |