How Did We Get The Books Of The Bible? TeenSS Sunday June 30 2013

An activity… a b c d e f g h i j k

An activity… a b c d e f g h i j k How long is a metre? (From the dot)

1. The Canon of scripture

1. The Canon of scripture X

1. The Canon of scripture Canon means measuring stick So the canon of scripture means the measuring stick of what we believe It’s the collection of books which we believe to be authoritative: the bible

What our church believes “The divine inspiration and infallibility of the Holy Scripture, as originally given, and its supreme authority in all matters of faith and conduct.” In other words we believe: The bible is God's word The bible is highest authority when it comes to what we believe and how we should live

2. Potential problems

2. Potential problems Issues arising: Is there a higher authority than the bible? Is there dodgy stuff in the bible? Is there God's word that's not in the bible?

3. The Old Testament

3. The Old Testament The New Testament is usually the issue Generally people are cool with the Old Testament With one exception…

The issue is the Apocrypha The Apocrypha – in Catholic bible Extra books in the Old Testament, written between the OT and NT Some history, some wisdom sayings, some poetry and prayers, extra bits to Daniel Becomes part of the Catholic Canon in 1546 during the Council of Trent

Why not accept the Apocrypha? Because it’s not what the temple accepted as scripture Josephus lists the books the Jews in Judea see as being scripture The temple, Jesus

Why not accept the Apocrypha? The time for prophecy was over 50 Therefore this generation will be held responsible for the blood of all the prophets that has been shed since the beginning of the world, 51 from the blood of Abel to the blood of Zechariah who died between the altar and the temple building. Yes, I tell you, this generation will be charged with their blood! (Luke 11:50- 51)

Why not accept the Apocrypha? The time for prophecy was over 27 So was there a great affliction in Israel, the like whereof was not since the time that a prophet was not seen among them. (1 Maccabees 9:27)

So how should we view the Apocrypha? Not the word of God The word of God’s people Recording their history Giving some of their wisdom So it’s potentially helpful, but fallible

4. The New Testament

4.a) Two dodgy dudes Marcion (85-160AD) Wants to choose what he can ignore The mouse who nibbles away at the gospel. God of mercy without judgement. Supreme but not creator Gets rid of the OT Keeps most of Luke and Paul’s letters

4.a) Two dodgy dudes Montanus (~150AD) Wants to make himself equal with scripture He and his female colleagues claim to be prophets of God led by the Holy Spirit Sounds like they wanted their words to be treated as equal to or maybe even higher than Jesus, or Paul or anyone else

4.b) Choosing the books The Need for a Canon How can we tell what’s legit and what’s dodgy? What was worth keeping, teaching, translating and dying for? So people start making and comparing lists of the books that they have and use, that they see as legit, authoritative and useful

4.b) Choosing the books General criteria: Written by an apostle of God? Verified by acts of God? Tells the truth about God? Transforms by the power of God? Accepted by the people of God? But this isn’t a documented systematic process, they just knew

~6BC-~33AD: Jesus ~50-70 Paul writes (Galatians -> 2 Timothy) ~50s/60s: Mark and then Matthew 60s: Luke and Acts Late 60s: 1,2 Peter, Hebrews, Jude 70: seige of Jerusalem, destruction of temple 85-95: John’s gospel, letters, Revelation 100 onwards: Ignatius, Irenaeus, Justin Martyr, Polycarp show the church using the scriptures

4.b) Choosing the books By the mid 200’s there is a consensus: Irenaeus: four gospels and four only (~180AD) The Muratorian Fragment ( before 200AD) Origen (early 200s) And then once Constantine becomes emperor things can be formalised First Council of Nicea (325AD) Athanasius’ Easter letter of 367AD

5. Implications for us 1. Confidence in the bible

5. Implications for us 2. Being willing to sit under the bible Don’t be like Marcion

5. Implications for us 2. Being willing to sit under the bible b) Don’t be like Montanus

5. Implications for us 2. Being willing to sit under the bible c) Be like the early church

Bibles in restricted nations often have more value than gold to believers. I have seen Christians in restricted nations smile and laugh like children at Christmas when they open a suitcase of smuggled-in Bibles and other Christian literature. Many feel blessed to have just one page of God’s word. They memorize their page, then trade with another believer and memorize that page as well. They know that if they go to prison, the only Bible they will have is the one hidden in their hearts (Psalm 119:11). Therefore, they make it their goal to memorize as much of Scripture as possible.

11 I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you. (Psa 119:11)