Ask your pastors/ministers - are all the Books of the Bible on the same scriptural level?

Question

According to the Lutheran Church, they aren't. In fact, Martin Luther was a major force in the arguments during the Reformation concerning various disputed books of the Bible. These included the Apocrypha, and others, including the Book of Revelation, which Martin Luther for much of his life believed was NOT scriptural!

Lutheran theologiansmake a distinction between the books of the New Testament which were unanimously received as canonical in the early church (the so-called Homologoumena or undisputed books) and the books which were disputed by some (the Antilegomena). In this class of 'disputed books' are the Epistle to the Hebrews, James, Jude, 2 Peter, 2 and 3 John, and the Revelation of John. These books are considered to be canonical in modern Lutheran churches, with the caveat that they are not quite on the same level as the other books as complete expressions of evangelical truth, and should be used with care.

So can we be true Christians, and interpret like Luther did?

What I mean is - are they on the same scriptural level, meaning of the same RELIABILITY..... Luther didn't think they all were.....

Mysterious -- heresy? I just asked if all the Books of the Bible are on the same scriptural level. Martin Luther, and John Calvin for that matter, did not think they were. That's what brought on the whole Protestant Reformation! I am using this as another argument in favor of people reading and understanding the Bible, and not just knee-jerk pretending that it's all the LITERAL truth and there's never been any debate over meaning and scriptural importance about the books. There's been a ton. It's o.k. to argue and debate it. It's o.k. to have differences of opinion. What you call "heresy" I say is legitimate debate.

Paulie D -- All the "canonical" books... key word "canonical." Luther, and Calvin, and Augustine, and many others, had differing opinions on which were canonical! That's the point! It's not a question of "agree with one view on the Bible or burn in Hell!" -- well, not unless we are condemning most Christians to Hell since most denominations have differing views on what is canonical and what is not! Salvation is through Christ, not through agreement on what is canonical -- we can have differing opinions!

Denise D - it just means that all this fundamentalist clap-trap about "100% literal truth from cover to cover and all the exact Word of God" is humbug! Every denomination comes from an interpretation of Luther, or Calvin, or Catholic, or Orthodox, or some other major figure/group -- they DIFFER on MAJOR points regarding the Bible, yet they are all Christians. Salvation is through Christ. We do not worship the Bible. We use it to find Christ.

Answer 1

I don't know where you have gotten your information. All 88 books of the Bible are "Divinely Inspired Word of God". Luther did however translate the Apocrypha. I have an old copy of Luther's German translation of the Bible, which does indeed contain the Apocrypha between the old and new Testaments.

If you are Lutheran, you will know that we, like our Catholic and Anglican brothers do elevate the four Gospels above all other scripture, and for good reason. The Gospels tell us of the life and the fulfilled promises of our Messiah; Jesus Christ. That is why there is a "Gospel Proclamation" in the liturgy just before the Gospel is read. We also stand for the Gospel, but remain seated for the Old Testament, and the Epistle readings.

Scripture is continuously being studied, because we continuously test doctrine with Scripture. Other denominations would do well to follow our example.

We must also continue to study Scripture, and ask the Holy Spirit to continue to help us to discern the true meaning. Remember, we must put our selves below Scripture as students, not above it as Masters.

Mark

P.S.: The King James Bible is a very accurate translation, and a beautifully part of our literary heritage. However, some meanings of terms and phrases have evolved to where they no longer mean what they did at the time of the translation. Some examples would be the word "prevent" which at the time of King James meant to come before; "remit" "Who so ever sins ye remit..." at the time it meant "forgive, now it means "make a payment"; remission meant "to forgive", now it means "the disease is no longer active". There are many others.

With the difficulty that different denominations seem to have regarding consensus on Scripture, we don't need Archaic language that people have to interpret correctly before they try to determine what Scripture means.

I know that the mentality of "it was the first, so it's the best" is the motivation for the continued usage of KJV, but if that is the case, we should be still using Luther's German Bible, no... Gerome's Vulgate,... no the Greek and Aramaic, and Hebrew Scriptures... how far should we go?

If you like the accuracy, and detail, give the New King James a try. It's also beautifully written, but a heck of a lot easier to read.

Mark

Answer 2

Your question attempts to hide your heresy in a long, pseudo-historical story about Martin Luther.

Christians believe that the Bible is the word of God. It was written by real men that were inspired by God. The books were not intended to sound as if someone sat down and wrote it in one sitting. The best argument for the inspiration of the Bible is how each book supports the others.

Update to respond to your comment:

The reason Martin Luther posted his 95 theses were to dispute the validity of indulgences and to dispute the Pope's unquestioned holiness. His 95 theses do not question the accuracy of any part of the bible. Make sure you have actually read the 95 theses before you use them as a source.

So in summary, the Protestant Reformation was not began to question books of the bible. Instead they question the sale of indulgences and the absolute power of the pope.

Answer 3

What does that have to do with the Gospel Truth? The Whole Bible was written for our benefit. All scripture point to Christ, from His culture to His linage to examples of men being used similar to Christ's purpose. To His birth and while He was living until death on the cross. Now we are living in the (end) Revelation times when He will return again to receive His bride (saints). Just because one person makes a statement about the Word of God does not mean it is valid. If you know the truth, let it set you free. !Tim. 2:4-6, Paul writes that God wanted us to be saved and with that to know the truth about Christ Jesus. Also read 2 Tim. 4:1-4. Stay in prayer and be watchful.
I can't find it but I was trying to quote what Paul said in the letters to the Churches. The question circulated in that time too, "If Scripture was written by God or man?" Paul stated that All scripture was written by man but inspired by God to prompt us to Truth! That is what God use today, Man to carry out His purpose.

Answer 4

Luther is not the "be-all-end-all" of Scriptural truth. All the canonical books of the Bible should be held in the same reverence with equal authority as they are the Word of God.
2nd Timothy 3:16-"All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness,"

Answer 5

As a Christian Preacher I believe the KJV of the Bible to be the truest representation of God's Word available to us.
In my opinion all 66 books of the Bible are scripture and should be regarded as such.

Answer 6

well all of them are on diffrent levels to understand!! I mean u wouldnt want to start out on Genisis cuz that is more difficult to understand than John!! So thats why most Christains dont just sit down and read cover to cover!! But thats a baptist speakin!

Answer 7

Either they are the inspired Word of God or they are not. If they are not divinely inspired, then they are not Scripture. If they are the Word of God, how can one part of God's Word be on a different "level" than another part of God's Word??

Answer 8

no and some are poetry...some are historical....some are predictions...theyre not all the same..