Can you tell me why the Bible consists of selected accounts and writings? What about the rest?

Answer 1

Most of the rest contradicted the other stuff so it had to go.

Answer 2

The bible-loving believers for 20 centuries have used 66 books of the Bible consistently. There are 66 books that are copied and read by believers in all ages.

It is ironic that the one organization that did so much to keep the Bible from people for nearly 1,000 years now does a 180 in the the past few centuries and talks about the Bible.

All other writings were rejected. Those who believe the Bible itself also believe that the Holy Spirit preserved the Word of God, and guided the pure believers as to which writings were scripture and which are not.

Look for consistency and you find the truth.

Answer 3

There were many different stories. There are still codices that are being found throughout the Mediterranean, African and Egyptian areas.

On 27 February 380, Emperor Theodosius I enacted a law establishing Catholic Christianity as the official religion of the Roman Empire and ordering others to be called heretics and formally codified critical elements of the theology of the Church. In 382, the Council of Rome set the Canon of the Bible, listing the accepted books of the Old Testament and the New Testament. Also, the Council of Ephesus in 431 declared that Jesus existed both as fully Man and fully God simultaneously, clarifying his status in the Trinity. The meaning of the Nicene Creed was also declared a permanent doctrine of the Church.

The books chosen were the most read throughout the era. There were also many different sects of Christianity during the early years. Some were obviously buried by different sects.

For your reading pleasure Bart Ehrman has several books available to find many of the stories that have been hidden throughout history.

Answer 4

The Christian community arose from rival groups. Mainly it was between the Literal/Historical camp and the Allegorical/Mystical camp.

The Literalists won the battle for influence and (with the help of the Roman Empire) eventually chose those texts which agreed with their view on the faith. Other writings were banned or burned as evil decoys from the one true faith.

Things like the Da Vinci Code open us to the possiblity that the 'official' Church rigged things to overshadow their rivals. The Gnostics may have been the true Christians who took the story of Christ as not historical but just an example for personal spiritual living.

Answer 5

It was written and edited by many people.

The Old Testament's authors are unknown, but consisted of various stories and laws passed down orally for generations. They included some obvious derivations of popular myths and legends of the time. Sometimes, the storytellers would combine two older legends that overlapped, such as the two separate Genesis stories.

The New Testament was written decades after Jesus died, if he existed at all. The earliest writer was Paul / Saul, but included very little about the person of Jesus or his teachings. Still, stories sprang up and by the time the Gospels were written, the myth grew to include details and claims about Jesus' childhood and a wider range of teachings. Still, the earliest of the Gospel writers, Mark, had less details and claims than the later writers of Matthew, Luke, and John. There were also other stories that the early bishops decided not to include in the official canon, which was put together in the early 300's AD. Those stories came to be the apocrypha.

Answer 6

The Bible has been re written/ translated by codex and manuscript scrolls that have rotted over time, some have been lost or burned, Isaiah for example has lasted a very long time and some remnants still exist. Catholics put great trust in the Bible but the teachings of the fathers of the Church help discern the true meaning of scripture, they fill in the gaps.

Answer 7

In its final form, the Bible is a compilation of works that are edited and arranged to assert the reality of Christianity and to explain its dogma.

Answer 8

moose i think your wrong, the whole bible is contradictory anyway, i think its proably just a popularity contest, most people liked certain writings better, so those are the ones that people grew up with so those are the ones they use today

Answer 9

I like John's answer the best John 20:30,31 "Jesus did many other miraculous signs in the presence of his disciples, which are not recorded in this book. But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name."

Answer 10

The most important things have been written about. The things God wanted to be sure we knew about. If you fill out a diary at the end of your day, you only write the main things.It would take all of another day almost to write it all.Same with the Holy Bible. There is to much to put it all down.

Answer 11

The Bible tell,s of many thing,s if people would only accept what it say,s the world would be a better place.