What Constitutes Scriptures?

JohnDB · Jun 3, 2022

Since everyone seems to be questioning the well traveled paths lately....

Why do you believe that certain books are Holy and some are not?

Age?
Authorship?
Content?

We have the 66 books as Cannon. Why?

Why do you think other books were excluded?
Your immortal Soul is dependent upon the theology you have isn't it?

Ugaritic tablets have a very similar story as Genesis but nobody quotes them....why?

Nobody reads the "The Assumption of Moses"....

joecoten · Jun 3, 2022

I think I read The Assumption Of Moses. It was entertaining. I wouldn't call it scripture.

ResidentAlien · Jun 3, 2022

JohnDB said:

The apostles' writings were recognized as authoritative long before they were canonized. They became scripture because they had already been accepted as such. Early believers also quoted extensively from the New Testament books as early as the 2nd century.

I don't know all the nuts and bolts that went into making the New Testament, but I do know it wasn't just created out of thin air. The Lord also had His hand in the process, ensuring we'd have reliable, authoritative writings.

Shilohsfoal · Jun 3, 2022

I consider the books in the Bible which the writers were instructed to write or to teach to be scripture. Such as the gospel according to John. John was instructed to preach the gospel and he wrote down what he did concerning the words of Christ. Also the book of Revelation, John was instructed to write what he did. I consider both of these to be scripture. I consider the letters to the churches by several of the apostles to be instructive but not necessarily scripture.

CS1 · Jun 3, 2022

JohnDB said:

I will worship toward Your holy temple, and praise Your name For Your lovingkindness and Your truth; for You have magnified Your word above all Your name. (Psalm 138:2 NKJV)

The Word of God and what is known as the Canonized books are so because they are the word of God collectively. They are not the word of God because man says they are, they are the word of God because God ordained it to be so.

The Word of God also is confirmed to the lost, the church, and the devil.

The word of God has saved, healed, and delivered which are all Testimonies that the Word of God is true.
God has kept HIS word from the time He spoke it, and took his finger to write it, and gave it to man to record it.

The Number one confirmation that it is the word of God is fully and completely in the Person of The Lord Jesus Christ from Genesis to Revelation. He is the thread and Foundation on what is the word of God. All books build on him.

Dino246 · Jun 3, 2022

Let’s get something basic established here…
the word is ‘canon’ as in a standard, not ‘cannon’ as in a heavy gun.

joecoten · Jun 3, 2022

I wish I could have a cannon in Cannada!

p_rehbein · Jun 3, 2022

When I read a Book written about Jesus or God, and I deem it to be the Holy Spirit inspired Word of God, then I declare it to be Scripture.

Folks disagree, they will just have to get over it.......OR, I can aim my giant cannon at 'em and open fire

joecoten · Jun 3, 2022

Now that what I'd call getting cannonized!

joecoten · Jun 3, 2022

No matter how many times I swear off of the BDF, I end up back here! Weird!!!

ResidentAlien · Jun 3, 2022

p_rehbein said:

How do you "deem" it to be Holy Spirit inspired? What criteria do you use?

arthurfleminger · Jun 3, 2022

ResidentAlien said:

Just a couple of questions as to your post, you state, "The apostles' writings were recognized as authoritative long before they were canonized. They became scripture because they had already been accepted as such. Early believers also quoted extensively from the New Testament books as early as the 2nd century."

How can you say that the apostle's writings were recognized as authorative in the early going? There were no printing presses, very few people could read or write, so what are your references as to their being recognized as authoritative? Also, who was it you say recognized them as authorative? And by what authority could these have deemed them as authorative?

Who were the 'Early believers' who quoted extensively from the New Testament books as early as the 2d century, that would be just after the year 100AD? Thanks.

ResidentAlien · Jun 3, 2022

arthurfleminger said:

Just a couple of questions as to your post, you state, "The apostles' writings were recognized as authoritative long before they were canonized. They became scripture because they had already been accepted as such. Early believers also quoted extensively from the New Testament books as early as the 2nd century."

How can you say that the apostle's writings were recognized as authorative in the early going? There were no printing presses, very few people could read or write, so what are your references as to their being recognized as authoritative? Also, who was it you say recognized them as authorative? And by what authority could these have deemed them as authorative?

Who were the 'Early believers' who quoted extensively from the New Testament books as early as the 2d century, that would be just after the year 100AD? Thanks.

You're right. I take it all back. I apologize.

XavierJesusLovesIndia · Jun 3, 2022

Good Question. The Canon of Scripture is known to us through Apostolic Tradition and the Church Fathers. It is these Church Fathers who tell us, based on the Tradition they received from the Apostles, that there are to be 4 and only 4 Gospel accounts, which we all have. But they agreed on some of the books, and were uncertain about others. Finally, the Catholic Church, using the authority received from Christ, in the 4th Century, in a Council under Pope Damasus determined the Biblical Canon - 46 OT Books and 27 NT Books that are Scripture.

"The Oxford Dictionary of the Christian Church, states:[1] A council probably held at Rome in 382 under St. Damasus gave a complete list of the canonical books of both the Old Testament and the New Testament (also known as the 'Gelasian Decree' because it was reproduced by Gelasius in 495), which is identical with the list given at Trent." https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Council_of_Rome

Nehemiah6 · Jun 3, 2022

JohnDB said:

How about simply divine inspiration. The canon of 66 books in the Holy Bible consists of books written under the direct divine inspiration of God the Holy Spirit.

ResidentAlien · Jun 3, 2022

XavierJesusLovesIndia said:

Right.

XavierJesusLovesIndia · Jun 3, 2022

ResidentAlien said:

Laugh away, my friend. Laugh away. But it is a serious question, which those who reject the Apostolic Church face mighty difficulties in answering. The answer of traditional Christians - both Catholics and Orthodox - is very simple. Christ's Church infallibly decided this.

"What Church? Scripture reveals this Church to be the one Jesus Christ built upon the rock of Saint Peter (Matt. 16:18). By giving Peter the keys of authority (Matt. 16:19), Jesus appointed Peter as the chief steward over His earthly kingdom (cf. Isaiah. 22:19-22). Jesus also charged Peter to be the source of strength for the rest of the apostles (Luke 22:32) and the earthly shepherd of Jesus’ flock (John 21:15-17). Jesus further gave Peter, and the apostles and elders in union with him, the power to bind and loose in heaven what they bound and loosed on earth. (Matt. 16:19; 18:18). This teaching authority did not die with Peter and the apostles, but was transferred to future bishops through the laying on of hands (e.g., Acts 1:20; 6:6; 13:3; 8:18; 9:17; 1 Tim. 4:14; 5:22; 2 Tim. 1:6).

By virtue of this divinely-appointed authority, the Catholic Church determined the canon of Scripture (what books belong in the Bible) at the end of the fourth century. We therefore believe in the Scriptures on the authority of the Catholic Church. After all, nothing in Scripture tells us what Scriptures are inspired, what books belong in the Bible, or that Scripture is the final authority on questions concerning the Christian faith. Instead, the Bible says that the Church, not the Scriptures, is the pinnacle and foundation of the truth (1 Tim. 3:15) and the final arbiter on questions of the Christian faith (Matt. 18:17). It is through the teaching authority and Apostolic Tradition (2 Thess. 2:15; 3:6; 1 Cor. 11:2) of this Church, who is guided by the Holy Spirit (John 14:16,26; 16:13), that we know of the divine inspiration of the Scriptures, and the manifold wisdom of God. (cf. Ephesians 3:10)."

Taken from: https://www.scripturecatholic.com/catholic-faith/

ResidentAlien · Jun 3, 2022

XavierJesusLovesIndia said:

No one can deny the Bible as we have it came through the mechanism of Catholic "church." But it wasn't because of any "authority" Christ gave to Catholicism. Many of the books of the New Testament were recognized as authoritative long before Catholicism was ever heard of. Some Catholics just got together and ratified them. We have the Lord to thank, not the Catholic church.

Someone should tell you that Jesus never gave His authority to your "church." What your "church" represents is an abomination to Him and it will soon be judged. Hallelujah!

"And they continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers."—Acts 2:42

Live4Him3 · Jun 3, 2022

joecoten said:

...but you cannot.

A-Sword-Cometh · Jun 3, 2022

Well if they're the canon and are true you should be able to either observe or even better, do, some of what is written of course.

What Constitutes Scriptures?

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