Brief Summary
This video explains how the canon of the Bible was formed, the criteria used to identify holy scripture, and addresses the authenticity of Gnostic gospels. It also discusses the role of bishops as successors to the apostles and whether new prophets or expansions to the canon are possible today. The video touches on the importance of church tradition, discernment regarding dreams and visions, and the dangers of being deceived by false teachings.
- The canon of the Bible was a process entrusted to the church, with initial acceptance of the four Gospels, Acts, and 13 letters of Paul.
- Criteria for determining scripture included apostolicity, universal church acceptance, and consistency with established teachings.
- Gnostic gospels are not considered authentic due to their contradiction of first-century Jewish worldviews and their alignment with Greek philosophical concepts.
- Bishops are seen as the successors to the apostles, with no new prophets or expansions to the biblical canon expected.
- Dreams and visions can occur but should be approached with caution, grounded in church teachings and under the guidance of church leadership.
How was canon of bible put together?
The canon of the Bible was formed through a process entrusted to the church. Initially, there was no dispute regarding the authenticity and acceptance of the four Gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John), the Book of Acts, and 13 letters attributed to Paul. The speaker highlights that while 13 letters of Paul were widely accepted, the authorship of Hebrews was debated. These books were accepted from the beginning.
Verified writings of the apostles
Christians used specific criteria to determine if a book was genuinely from the apostles or the apostolic period and divinely inspired. One key criterion was apostolicity, which means determining whether the book was written during the time of the apostles or under their direct supervision. Even if a disciple wrote it, the writing had to be done with the apostle's approval during their lifetime. For example, the unanimous teaching of the church is that John Mark wrote the Gospel of Mark with Peter's approval, as Mark travelled with the apostles and wrote down Peter's preaching in Rome, with Peter's blessing for its publication.
No contradictions on teachings to point out forgeries
Another criterion involved examining early records to see if major Christian centres, such as Alexandria, Jerusalem, Constantinople, Rome, and Antioch, had received the books early on as being from the apostles or their period. Additionally, the teachings within these books had to align with established doctrines. If a book claimed apostolic origin but contradicted known apostolic teachings, it was deemed inauthentic, unless the apostles and their followers were demonstrably confused. The teachings had to be sound in both doctrine and practice to be considered valid.
Why Gnostic gospels are not authentic
Gnostic gospels lack authenticity because their worldview clashes with that of first-century Jews. Gnosticism, rooted in Greek philosophy, posits that matter is evil and seeks liberation from the body, contrasting with the Jewish belief in a good creation that God will restore, including the resurrection of the body. Gnostic views suggest Christ only appeared human or temporarily possessed Jesus, which contradicts the Jewish understanding of God's relationship with the world. Therefore, Gnostic texts are not considered legitimate.
Replacement of apostles or prophets today
Following the tradition of churches established by the apostles, bishops are considered the successors to the apostles. The apostles appointed bishops to take their place, making the bishop the modern-day equivalent of an apostle. Unlike the Old Testament's succession of prophets, the New Testament designates bishops as the successors to the apostles. Apostolic succession means the apostles entrusted the faith to bishops, who then became the leaders after the apostles' departure. The canon is now considered closed, with no further expansion possible. Once the apostles passed on their authority to the bishops, it was understood that everything God wanted the church to have and know until Christ's return had already been revealed and preserved. While prophetic dreams and visions are possible, particularly within the Catholic and Orthodox traditions, they serve to clarify or confirm established teachings rather than introduce new ones.
