top of page
Search
Writer's pictureEdward D. Andrews
Jul 138 min read

How Can We Know the Bible Includes the Correct Books?

Understanding Divine Inspiration and the Canon of Scripture


The Bible, as a collection of 66 books, stands as the inspired Word of God. This assertion is rooted in the belief that God, the ultimate author of the Bible, inspired specific individuals to pen these texts. Scriptures such as Matthew 4:4 and 2 Timothy 3:16 affirm that "all Scripture is breathed out by God." The concept of divine inspiration means that the writings did not originate from the human authors but from God, who moved them through His Spirit (2 Samuel 23:2; 1 Peter 1:20-21). Thus, the canon of Scripture—the collection of books recognized as divinely inspired—was determined by God, and the people of God merely discovered and recognized these books.



The "Fingerprints" of God on the Canonical Books


The process of recognizing the books of the Bible involved identifying certain characteristics or "fingerprints" of divine inspiration. These include:


  1. Prophetic Authorship: The book had to be written by a prophet of God, such as Moses (Exodus 4:1-9) or Paul (1 Corinthians 9:1).

  2. Divine Confirmation: The message of the book was confirmed by acts of God (Hebrews 1:1; 2:3-4).

  3. Truthfulness: The book had to tell the truth about God, consistent with other revelations and known facts (Deuteronomy 18:20-22).

  4. Edifying Power: The book had to have the power of God to edify and transform lives (2 Timothy 3:16-17; Hebrews 4:12).

  5. Acceptance by the People of God: The book was accepted and collected by the people of God.



Formation of the Old Testament Canon


The collection of books known as the Old Testament canon was formed gradually as each book was written. For example, the first five books of the Bible, attributed to Moses, were immediately recognized as authoritative and placed in the most holy place (Deuteronomy 31:24-26). Subsequent books, such as Joshua (Joshua 24:26), Samuel (1 Samuel 10:25), and the writings of the prophets (Zechariah 7:12), were added to the collection over time. By the time of Daniel, there was already a recognized collection of Moses' writings and prophetic books, including those of his contemporary, Jeremiah (Daniel 9:2).


The Exclusion of the Apocrypha


The Apocrypha, a set of books written between 250 B.C. and the first century A.D., are not considered part of the canonical Old Testament for several reasons:


  1. Lack of Divine Claim: Unlike the canonical books, the Apocryphal books do not explicitly or implicitly claim to be inspired by God. Some even disclaim being prophetic (e.g., 1 Maccabees 9:27; 14:41).

  2. Historical Context: These books were written after the recognized period of prophetic revelation, which Judaism held ended around 400 B.C.

  3. Jewish Testimony: The Jewish historian Josephus and the Jewish community never accepted these books as part of their Scriptures. The authentic Jewish Old Testament corresponds exactly with the 39 books of our Old Testament.

  4. New Testament Silence: Neither Jesus nor the apostles cited the Apocrypha as inspired Scripture.

  5. Early Church Rejection: Most early church fathers did not accept the Apocryphal books as inspired. Jerome, who translated the Latin Vulgate, rejected them.

  6. Council of Trent: The acceptance of these books by the Roman Catholic Church in 1546 was seen as an unjustified response to the Reformation.



Formation of the New Testament Canon


The New Testament books were written by apostles and prophets, who were confirmed by acts of God (Ephesians 2:20; 2 Corinthians 12:12; Hebrews 1:1; 2:3-4). The early church recognized these writings as authoritative and began collecting them. For instance, Paul cites the Gospel of Luke as "Scripture" alongside the Old Testament (1 Timothy 5:18), and Peter refers to Paul's epistles as "Scripture" (2 Peter 3:16).


The first-century church publicly read and circulated these writings (Colossians 4:16; 1 Thessalonians 5:27). Early Christian fathers collected and cited these books extensively. By the second century, there were collections and translations of the New Testament books, such as the Syriac and Old Latin versions. Today, all major branches of Christianity accept the 27 books of the New Testament as inspired, alongside the 39 books of the Old Testament.



The Exclusion of Apocryphal New Testament Books


Apocryphal New Testament books, written in the second and third centuries A.D., are universally rejected by the Christian church for several reasons:


  1. Non-Apostolic Authorship: These books were not written by the apostles whose names they bear.

  2. Doctrinal Errors: They contain heresies and doctrinal errors.

  3. Contradictory Claims: They claim to contain childhood miracles of Jesus, which contradicts John's statement that Jesus' first miracle was at Cana (John 2:11).

  4. Fabrication: They include highly embellished and fanciful accounts, indicating later fabrication.


Note the following statements by scholars on these noncanonical books:


  1. “There is no question of any one’s having excluded them from the New Testament: they have done that for themselves.”—M. R. James, The Apocryphal New Testament, pages xi, xii.

  2. “We have only to compare our New Testament books as a whole with other literature of the kind to realize how wide is the gulf which separates them from it. The uncanonical gospels, it is often said, are in reality the best evidence for the canonical.”—G. Milligan, The New Testament Documents, page 228.

  3. “It cannot be said of a single writing preserved to us from the early period of the Church outside the New Testament that it could properly be added to-day to the Canon.”—K. Aland, The Problem of the New Testament Canon, page 24.



Conclusion on the Canon


Only the 66 books of the common canon claim and prove to be the divinely inspired, infallible, and inerrant Word of God. These books were recognized by the people of God through the providence of God, demonstrating characteristics such as prophetic authorship, divine confirmation, truthfulness, edifying power, and acceptance by the community of believers.


Scriptural Evidence for the Canon


The Bible itself provides evidence for the recognition and authority of the canonical books. Moses' writings were immediately placed in the Ark of the Covenant (Deuteronomy 31:24-26). Joshua added his writings to this collection (Joshua 24:26). The prophets' writings were recognized as authoritative (Zechariah 7:12). Daniel had a collection of sacred writings, including Jeremiah (Daniel 9:2).


The New Testament also shows recognition of the authoritative writings. Paul refers to Luke's Gospel as Scripture (1 Timothy 5:18). Peter acknowledges Paul's letters as Scripture (2 Peter 3:16). The early church read and circulated these writings publicly (Colossians 4:16; 1 Thessalonians 5:27).



Role of the Early Church in Recognizing the Canon


The early church played a crucial role in recognizing the canon. Church councils, such as the Synod of Hippo (393 C.E.) and the Councils of Carthage (397 and 419 C.E.), affirmed the 27 books of the New Testament. These councils did not bestow authority on the books but recognized the inherent authority that these books already possessed.


The process of recognition involved discerning the divine inspiration and apostolic origin of the writings. Criteria included consistency with apostolic teaching, widespread acceptance, and edifying power. The early church fathers, such as Athanasius, Jerome, and Augustine, provided lists of canonical books that align with our current New Testament.


Preservation and Transmission of the Canon


The preservation and transmission of the biblical canon demonstrate God's providence. Despite challenges such as persecution, heretical attacks, and manuscript copying errors, the integrity of the Scriptures has been remarkably preserved. The discovery of ancient manuscripts, such as the Dead Sea Scrolls, confirms the accuracy and reliability of the Old Testament texts. The wealth of New Testament manuscripts, with over 5,800 Greek manuscripts, further attests to the preservation of the text.



Modern Translations and the Canon


Modern translations, like the United American Standard Version (UASV), seek to provide accurate and faithful renditions of the original texts. These translations are based on critical scholarship, utilizing the best available manuscripts. The goal is to convey the meaning of the original languages while making the Scriptures accessible to contemporary readers.


The translation process involves rigorous linguistic and textual analysis, ensuring that the translated text remains true to the original. The UASV, for instance, adheres to a literal translation philosophy, aiming to preserve the nuances of the original Hebrew and Greek texts.


Impact of the Canon on Christian Doctrine and Practice


The canon of Scripture has a profound impact on Christian doctrine and practice. The recognized books form the foundation of Christian teaching, providing authoritative guidance for faith and conduct. The doctrines of creation, sin, salvation, and eschatology are all derived from the canonical Scriptures.


The ethical teachings of the Bible, such as the Ten Commandments and the Sermon on the Mount, shape the moral framework of Christian communities. The Scriptures also guide worship practices, including prayer, sacraments, and the reading and preaching of the Word.


Challenges to the Canon


Throughout history, the canon has faced challenges from various quarters. Critics have questioned the exclusion of certain books, the inclusion of others, and the process of canonization. Apocryphal and pseudepigraphal writings, as well as modern critical scholarship, have raised issues regarding the integrity and authenticity of the canon.


However, the robust historical and theological foundations of the canon have withstood these challenges. The internal consistency, historical reliability, and transformative power of the canonical books continue to affirm their divine inspiration and authority.



The Role of Faith in Accepting the Canon


Ultimately, accepting the canon involves an element of faith. While historical and textual evidence provides a solid foundation, the recognition of the Scriptures as the Word of God is also a spiritual act. Believers trust that the same God who inspired the Scriptures has also guided their preservation and recognition.


The witness of the Holy Spirit plays a crucial role in affirming the authority of the canonical books. As believers engage with the Scriptures, the Spirit testifies to their divine origin and authority, leading to a deeper conviction and commitment to the Word of God.


Continuing the Legacy of the Canon


The legacy of the canon continues as new generations of believers engage with the Scriptures. The work of Bible translation, distribution, and teaching remains vital in making the Word of God accessible to all people. Organizations dedicated to these tasks, such as Christian Publishing House, the United Bible Societies, and Wycliffe Bible Translators, carry forward the mission of ensuring that everyone can encounter the transformative power of the Scriptures.


Believers are called to cherish, study, and live by the canonical Scriptures. The Word of God is a lamp to our feet and a light to our path (Psalm 119:105), guiding us in truth and righteousness. As we immerse ourselves in the Scriptures, we grow in our knowledge of God and our ability to live out His will in our lives.


About the Author

EDWARD D. ANDREWS (AS in Criminal Justice, BS in Religion, MA in Biblical Studies, and MDiv in Theology) is CEO and President of Christian Publishing House. He has authored over 220+ books. In addition, Andrews is the Chief Translator of the Updated American Standard Version (UASV).


RECOMMENDED READING


42 views0 comments

Comments

bottom of page