Why do Christians take the Bible as the ultimate truth if God did not write it?
2007-03-24 15:38:00 · 14 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
MAy I add that I am a Christian and I do not FULLY trust the Bible. I am merely trying to see what you think.
2007-03-24 16:23:15 · update #1
good question, maybe people should think for themselves instead of trusting something somone wrote thousands of years ago
2007-03-24 15:44:00 · answer #1 · answered by sprocket9727 3 · 2⤊ 1⤋
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.
2007-03-24 22:43:35 · answer #2 · answered by Freedom 7 · 2⤊ 2⤋
God wrote the Bible through men who wrote by the power of the Holy Spirit. What do you take as the ultimate truth and see if it even comes close to the truths revealed in the Bible.
2007-03-24 22:45:43 · answer #3 · answered by 4Christ 4 · 2⤊ 1⤋
But...look at the evidence. 66 books, 40 different authors, written over a 1500 year period, same message...God's love for us, as expressed through His messiah, Jesus Christ.
No other book in history has been so closely examined, so severely scrutinized, had so many detractors...try telling a Muslim to put the Quran through the same criticism, putting it up to the same standards as the Bible.
God didn't write the Bible with His own physical hand, but through the hands of men...His Word remains consistent and reliable. Isn't that evidence of the divine origin of the Word in itself?
2007-03-24 22:47:12 · answer #4 · answered by stronzo5785 4 · 2⤊ 0⤋
The Bible was written by men who were inspired by the Holy Ghost, which means that God wrote it, Himself. Also God's Word has been proven to be true and acurate through Science, History, and Prophecy.
2007-03-24 22:49:20 · answer #5 · answered by Apostle Jeff 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I've asked myself this question so many times. I just don't understand the bible, especially when it compels people to do things that to me are inherently wrong (i.e. discriminate against gays, subordinate women, etc.). If god had of written the bilble, I don't think he would have preached such things. The concepts are outdated, as society has changed its standards significantly since its origin. I just wish sometimes that people would follow their instincts as to what is wrong or right rather than strictly adhering to a set of beliefs that are in some cases practically immoral. In many cases, the Bible is just not the solution. People shouldn't place so much importance on its words. I'm sorry i didn't really answer your question--i don't know the answer to that either because the whole thing just seems silly to me--but i had to put in my two cents.
2007-03-24 22:43:57 · answer #6 · answered by littlemissy 1 · 2⤊ 2⤋
Why not trust the Holy Bible - it never changes - it has been the same through eternity - you are correct it was not written by God - but through his ambassadors!@~
2007-03-24 22:51:00 · answer #7 · answered by nswblue 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
When God gave Moses the ten commandments, He enabled Moses to perform miracles.
Jesus confirmed the Old Testament and promised the New Testament.
Give it a try, the Word of God will communicate with you. And it can make a grown man cry when that happens. Ask Holy Spirit in your heart. That made the whole difference in my life.: )
2007-03-24 22:43:18 · answer #8 · answered by SeeTheLight 7 · 2⤊ 3⤋
Why NOT trust the Bible?
2007-03-24 22:48:41 · answer #9 · answered by n.t. 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
why don't people take it as the ultimate truth if God inspired it? this could go back and forth for days and days. bring it on!
2007-03-24 22:55:32 · answer #10 · answered by Raven's Shadow 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
because bible is a book from God even if human wrote it but they are leaded by the holy spirit of God.
2007-03-24 22:45:42 · answer #11 · answered by faith 3 · 2⤊ 2⤋