Judaism becomes Christianity and they throw out 36 "gospels" because they don't fit their view of what they want the bible to say. Instead they kept 4. Fast forward a few hundred years and we have the concept of the holy trinity which people decide to make up and call "fact" from this day forth.
Nextly, we go to the time of Luther where Catholics are given the metaphorical finger and Protestants branch off.
Finally, we have now, where the bible is interpreted on a whim and parts are chosen to "no longer apply since Jesus died for us" and others are enforced to the letter. There is no guidelines for determining what still applies and what does not though, so everyone seems to have varying views.
How can you put your trust in a faith that changes this much?
2006-09-05 05:29:01 · 18 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Buy low, Sell high
2006-09-05 05:30:09 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 2⤋
Long descriptive question, long descriptive answer.
The term "canon" is used to describe the books that are divinely inspired and therefore belong in the Bible. The difficult aspect of determining the Biblical canon is that the Bible does not give us a list of the books that belong in the Bible. Determining the canon was a process, first by Jewish rabbis and scholars, and then later by early Christians. Ultimately, it was God who decided what books belonged in the Biblical canon. A book of Scripture belonged in the canon from the moment God inspired its writing. It was simply a matter of God convincing His human followers which books should be included in the Bible.
Compared to the New Testament, there was very little controversy over the canon of the Old Testament. Hebrew believers recognized God’s messengers, and accepted their writings as inspired of God. There was undeniably some debate in regards to the Old Testament canon. However, by 250 A.D. there was nearly universal agreement on the canon of Hebrew Scripture. The only issue that remained was the Apocrypha…with some debate and discussion continuing today. The vast majority of Hebrew scholars considered the Apocrypha to be good historical and religious documents, but not on the same level as the Hebrew Scriptures.
For the New Testament, the process of the recognition and collection began in the first centuries of the Christian church. Very early on, some of the New Testament books were being recognized. Paul considered Luke’s writings to be as authoritative as the Old Testament (1 Timothy 5:18; see also Deuteronomy 25:4 and Luke 10:7). Peter recognized Paul’s writings as Scripture (2 Peter 3:15-16). Some of the books of the New Testament were being circulated among the churches (Colossians 4:16; 1 Thessalonians 5:27). Clement of Rome mentioned at least eight New Testament books (A.D. 95). Ignatius of Antioch acknowledged about seven books (A.D. 115). Polycarp, a disciple of John the Apostle, acknowledged 15 books (A.D. 108). Later, Irenaeus mentioned 21 books (A.D. 185). Hippolytus recognized 22 books (A.D. 170-235). The New Testament books receiving the most controversy were Hebrews, James, 2 Peter, 2 John, and 3 John. The first “canon” was the Muratorian Canon, which was compiled in (A.D. 170). The Muratorian Canon included all of the New Testament books except Hebrews, James, and 3 John. In A.D. 363, the Council of Laodicea stated that only the Old Testament (along with the Apocrypha) and the 27 books of the New Testament were to be read in the churches. The Council of Hippo (A.D. 393) and the Council of Carthage (A.D. 397) also affirmed the same 27 books as authoritative.
The councils followed something similar to the following principles to determine whether a New Testament book was truly inspired by the Holy Spirit: 1) Was the author an apostle or have a close connection with an apostle? 2) Is the book being accepted by the Body of Christ at large? 3) Did the book contain consistency of doctrine and orthodox teaching? 4) Did the book bear evidence of high moral and spiritual values that would reflect a work of the Holy Spirit? Again, it is crucial to remember that the church did not determine the canon. No early church council decided on the canon. It was God, and God alone, who determined which books belonged in the Bible. It was simply a matter of God convincing His followers of what He had already decided upon. The human process of collecting the books of the Bible was flawed, but God, in His sovereignty, despite our ignorance and stubbornness, brought the early church to the recognition of the books He had inspired.
2006-09-05 12:47:02 · answer #2 · answered by rapturefuture 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
This is why I keep telling people that religion is not important, faith is. Only through faith can you open the door for God to give you teaching as He sees fit. Only through prayer, which is common among all religions, can you communicate with God. Only when your mind is clear and listening can you receive answers. A kindergarten teacher does not expect her students to be able to read and understand "War and Peace", as such some answers you seek may require you to have patience before the answer is revealed. But always have faith and always seek the truth through prayer. Peace is the test of the validity of the anwers you receive.
2006-09-05 12:40:05 · answer #3 · answered by Jimbo 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I'm with you! My biggest problem with organized religion is that they all want everything to fit their criteria.
This is why I decided that God and I would have to work things out completely for ourselves--together, so I could do what He wants rather than rely on reading.
If you consider all the books on religion, who knows what to believe. People are prone to believe if you can get a book published, the content must be true.
2006-09-05 12:34:47 · answer #4 · answered by Cookie 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Because man has decided he knows better than God and instead of following what God has given us, man decides to mold God into his own likeness. It's called idolotry and this is prevelant in many of the denominations. They fashion God to fit what is acceptable to them as a means of justifying their sin. I don't put my trust in a religion that changes, I put my trust and faith in God who never changes.
2006-09-05 12:45:15 · answer #5 · answered by Bruce Leroy - The Last Dragon 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
People always confuse religion and God. I believe in God. That doesn't make me a religious fanatic. In fact, I believe that there a lot of people who are into religion that have no relationship with God whatsoever. Going to church every Sunday isn't what gets you into Heaven. You have to believe it and you have to live it.
2006-09-05 12:37:17 · answer #6 · answered by Still Blessed 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
yo moron
Christianity came out of Judaism.
first their was the Hebrew Bible and then the Christians added on to it. You cannot throw something out if you never had it in the first place.
next time you open your mouth study history first.
2006-09-05 19:40:40 · answer #7 · answered by Gamla Joe 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
religion is man-made. you are putting your stock into the wrong thing. Give God a chance...you will get better returns.
2006-09-05 12:39:25 · answer #8 · answered by jimmy a 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You shouldn't. All religions are based on myth. Nobody should put much stock in superstition.
2006-09-05 12:31:18 · answer #9 · answered by nondescript 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Why put stock in any religion?
2006-09-05 12:49:20 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
True...True...
What would Jesus do? He'd pull out, promise to call her tomorrow, then split town. Cause, that's how he rolls....
What a PIMP.
2006-09-05 12:34:09 · answer #11 · answered by TonerLow69 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋