How important is it for Bible-believers to understand the history of the selection of the books of the Bible?

Question

If your faith teaches that the Bible was inspired, why is the process of that inspiration not taught in Sunday School?

Why are people not taught the the agony over the inclusion/rejection of the books of the Apocrypha? Why is it not discussed that the Bibles used by the Protestant churches, Roman Catholic Church, and Eastern Orthodox Church are different?

Why is there seldom a discussion of the revolving door regarding the books of Hebrews, James, Jude and Revelation? (Each variously included and excluded for centuries.)

Why is it almost no Christians are aware that the books in the Bible were not settled upon until after Columbus had returned to Europe from the New World...for the fourth time? (In other words, the bible referred to before 1500 was not the book on your shelf or the back of your pew.)

Does such discussion open the faith to too much doubt regarding the Bible's reliability?

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http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Biblical_canon

Answer 1

Religion is irrational.

Answer 2

You said....
Why is it almost no Christians are aware that the books in the Bible were not settled upon until after Columbus had returned to Europe from the New World...for the fourth time? (In other words, the bible referred to before 1500 was not the book on your shelf or the back of your pew.)

Does such discussion open the faith to too much doubt regarding the Bible's reliability?

Maybe some folks here will believe that you know what you're saying when indeed, this is the most nonsense I have ever read in a very long time.
I am Muslim but I have studied the Bible in detail and any bible scholar worth his dinner will tell you that that the Bible is the most authentic ancient document ever written.
It's true that the Church have included and deducted books through the centuries but besides the many versions, there have been no changes in the Old Testament and few in the New.
You need to study the Bible as History before you dare try to confuse others here. Lets start by going to this web page..
http://www.leaderu.com/orgs/probe/docs/bib-docu.html

Answer 3

Not really, actually the books that make up the New Testement Canon where the most popular books of the early Christian churches as noted by Eusebius. Only a couple of the books had some churches uneasy. The book of Enoch, the Epistle of Barnabus, the Shepard by Hermas and many others in the old testament Maccabean times where left out.

The majority of the Old Testement was taken from Jewish antiquity as what was considered scripture, although it speaks itself of older texts (unknown) like the book of Jashur, or the book of the Wars of the Lord both mentioned in the Old Testement.

Albeit, the new testement was formalized around the year 325 soon after the Roman Emporer Constantine became a Christian. A council meet it the city of Nicea, modern day Turkey I believe, to decide which books of scripture would be canonized and acceptable to all Christians. Bishops from the entire Roman Empire read the recommendations of Eusebius, Origen, Hippolytus, Ireaneaus, and others and made their decision.

You yourself may need to look into it somemore. But, just so you know, it was the council put together by King James to translate the scriptures into English and have them printed for the masses that you are referring to, and this occurred around 1604-1623 i believe, give or take a few years, and became the King James Version of the scriptures. SPECIAL NOTE: Version

Study to show thyself approved thoroughly furnished unto all good works the Bible says.

But, you are also correct Bible believers should know this, and should realize (as I believe too) there are many books that are or have been considered the Word of God. Maybe you they should check those out as well.

I would recommend the Book of Enoch. Talk about some truth. It is a book written 200+ years before Jesus time. In it he talks about the levels of heaven and some prophecy, but the part that fascinates me is that he knew the Earth was round, the Sun was the center of the Galaxy, the solar year was 365 and 1/4 days, the lunar year 350 days, and all the months. ALL of this thousands of years before scientist. Check it out chapter 71-82 below.

peace brother

Answer 4

Not very. It is more important for Bible-believers to READ THEIR BIBLE!!!

Ever read the books of the Apocrypha? You would know why they are not included. All 66 books of the Bible have a common theme: God. The fact that a lonely God created the human race for companionship, giving them free will. Man chose to break, and death and a personal relationship with God was still good, but to attain that, man now has to die. Ultimately, the Bible is about how God found a way to get us back to living an eternal life, and that is what the 66 books address.

The Apocrypha on the other hand discusses table manners, among other things, and various stories that do not relate in any way to atonement and forgiveness of sin.

Read the 66 books that were included in the Bible, and you will see, I promise you, the common thread between the diverse books I talk about. I have read the Bible cover-to-cover several times and am doing so again.

You will be amazed at the clarity and the message when you do this.

Answer 5

I suppose it would create doubt if they weren't the same books taken out and put back in. I think most adult christians know about the canon, maybe not in detail but if they are interested, they CAN study. Luckily America is a free country in which we can do so. They are not taught what the Roman catholics believe or easter orthodox because well, THEY AREN'T ROMAN CATHOLIC OR EASTERN ORTHODOX. Yipes! If I had to learn about every other denominations beliefs in church, it would bore the fillings out of my teeth. Christians, I would hope, have enough sense to study for themselves and find out what they believe and go to that specific church where they hear truth. Those that preach and teach in churches have gone the step beyond canonical issues, made up their mind and focused on what they believe to be true. Gotta get to the meat of the word some time. It's the individuals responsibility to study and be able to answer questions in their own mind, not for others to tell them what they are to be "concerned" about.

Answer 6

I think it is very important to understand a book that you regard as holy scripture. Strangely, as has been pointed out by many, a lot of people who quote vigorously from the Bible also oppose any kind of scholarly study of it. It's almost as if their beliefs come first, and the Bible becomes a crutch to support it.

The Deuterocanon/Apocrypha are important works as they fill in part of the historical time between where the Old Testament (without these books) leaves off and the New Testament begins. Instead, they argue that Daniel is about modern times. If they would sit down and read I & II Maccabees, they would see that that is not the case; Daniel is talking about the events leading up to and including the Maccabeean Revolt.

Answer 7

Have you been to every Sunday school room? I've actually seen some of these things taught at my church, not all of them.

I don't think this discussion creates doubt in the Bible's reliability. I think as more things are discovered, these new evidences support the original texts and thinking. For example, the Dead Sea Scrolls support the Old Testament writings.

Answer 8

I ask myself the same question, sometimes I think since a Catholic emperor had canonized the bible, then the Catholics are to blame 'cause they want to control our faith to what to believe and what not to believe, or more likely our brain.
Also, there are still people (relatives and friends), they don't know anything about those books and they don't believe 'em 'cause simple, it's not included in Bible (the only holy book and none other).

Answer 9

You answered your own question. SUNDAY SCHOOL

everyone knows when the seventh day of the week is the only day that was given a name by the Lord all other days were just numbered. Man gave the days names. Sunday is not the Lords holy day it is Constantitnes the man who changed the Lords Sabbath day to monday. This day was not only meant for the Jews but for all people. The whole thing is a lie, this is why I study.

Answer 10

i believe it is st. catherine church( around mt. sanai) that has the oldest written bible. around 1700 years old, give or take.the final statement on the bible is that GOD says it is complete. it is not what isn't in the bible only what is. there are books inspired by GOD that are not included as you mentioned but in the case of faith you have to believe what is there GOD meant to be. and when the time comes would you rather believe or not. judgement is final.

Answer 11

In my education the history of the Bible was taught extensively. Historical documents artefact's from others of the time period of Christ were also important to Faith development.

I am Roman Catholic.
We examine everything throughout the ages! Especially if it relates to Jesus Christ.