Which is essential....the Bible or the Church?

Question

Let's remember the fact that early Christians did not have Bibles. The Canon was recognized in 382 and reconfirmed in 397 A.D.

Answer 1

The Church



The idea that all revealed truth is to be found in "66 books" is not only not in Scripture, it is contradicted by Scripture (1 Corinthians 11:2, 2 Thessalonians 2:15, 2 Thessalonians 3:6, 1 Timothy 3:15, 2 Peter 1:20-21, 2 Peter 3:16). It is a concept unheard of in the Old Testament, where the authority of those who sat on the Chair of Moses (Matthew 23:2-3) existed. In addition to this, for 400 years, there was no defined canon of "Sacred Scripture" aside from the Old Testament; there was no "New Testament"; there was only Tradition and non-canonical books and letters.




Our Lord founded a Church (Matthew 16:18-19), not a book, which was to be the pillar and ground of Truth (1 Timothy 3:15). We can know what this Church teaches by looking not only at Sacred Scripture, but into History and by reading what the earliest Christians have written, what those who've sat on the Chair of Peter have spoken consistently with Scripture and Tradition, and what they've solemnly defined. To believe that the Bible is our only source of Christian Truth is unbiblical and illogical.

Answer 2

Between the two options you gave, the Church came first and does not depend upon Scripture and truth stands even without Scripture because Truth is based on God, and the Church is the pillar and foundation of the truth.

The early Christians were not walking around with King James bibles, folks. Not until the 4th century was the entire canon assembled and approved.

Pax Vobiscum+

Answer 3

Let's also remember that canon doesn't equal holy scripture in general. there were still gospels, they just weren't universally accepted.

I'd say belief its much more important than any institution run by mortal men. There are lots of religions that don't have any pope lurking over their shoulder. But is the Bible essential? I'd say not. You can believe in Jesus or any religion without reading a book. That's called deism.

Answer 4

2 Timothy says that the Church is the "pillar and bulwark of the truth" (3:15). The Church precedes the formation of the Christian Bible and is therefore more deeply essential.

Answer 5

without the church there would be no bible, the bible itself expresses that the church is the pillar and bulwark of faith, NOT THE BIBLE. even the gospel of john reminds us that not everything jesus accomplished could be penned down as the world couldn't contain it.

Answer 6

The church of course Jesus never mentioned anything about a bible but he did mention a church and Peter

Answer 7

For me, personally, neither of them. However, for those who have Faith, I would imagine the Bible would be the most essential. Religion has been used as a form of social control for centuries, but the Bible allows the individual to draw their own conclusions to the teachings, not just blindly accept someone else's word on the interpretation.

Answer 8

Depends on if you need answers to life's unanswered questions or not in order to feel good about your life.. I personally feel that neither is necessary.. but my thought is that people desired camaraderie so church was the idea the bible was the way..

Answer 9

Christianity is not a religion of the book. It is a religion of the Word - Jesus Christ. It is about living the gospel.

Answer 10

many things are essential which act in union for the salvation of souls