The bible (OT/NT) is a document composed over a period of about 1600 years. The first portions dating back to 1400-1500 B.C. through to 90 A.D. It has been composed by multiple authors working together over many centuries with a consistent theme and purpose. These writers acted as human agents moved and directed by God through His holy spirit
Multiple periods of editorial organization went in to producing the ever expanding revelation. The final editing period was probably Ezra (scribe/priest) about 450 B.C. Moses is the first, another possible is Samuel.
What About Official NT Documents?
In 397 the Synod of Carthage confirmed as official the 27 books we now know as the NT (that would be the greek speaking orthodox church, which later split into the catholic and the orthodox groups).
Clearly, the NT also is a collection of writings from multiple authors and was put together by some sort of editor or editorial team (obviously the bible was edited throughout its history). But who edited the bible? Who gave them the authority? There are two theories I want to discuss.
1. The NT was put together through a gradual process of sifting and evaluating hundreds of available documents and letters, deciding which were the best… a couple hundred years. The main weakness is that it falls prey to accusations of personal/political agendas driving the project. (feminists for ex). The idea being that the strongest group (not necessarily the right group) won out and forced their stamp upon the western world… we’re right because we won. People continually keep trying to resurrect the supposed alternate version of the church’s writings (nag hammadi, the davinci code etc). 2 Thess 2:1-2 Paul predicted that this very thing would happen.
2. Now the one I prefer (also UCG)… that the apostles themselves (Paul, Peter, John) decided the final form and content of the NT. With John himself finishing the task and distributing the 27 book collection among the church.
Neither view has definitive proof. The first view that the NT was developed gradually is based on fallible human reasoning, biased history and very scanty evidence (if any). The second view, that the content of the NT was decided by the ones who wrote it…. Is based on the scriptures themselves. Although there is not much to go on what we do have from scripture itself is a much more satisfying answer.
2 Peter 3:16 Peter, during his own lifetime, speaks of Paul’s writings as scripture… “the scriptures” in the same category as the OT scriptures themselves.
Paul’s role: 2 Tim 4:13 this would be a strange request unless Paul was asking for copies of various letters to select from among them. For example Col 4:16 refers to a letter that was left out… so clearly some selection appears to have taken place. Presumably Paul’s selections were passed along to Peter and later to John.
2 Peter 1:12,15 how else could Peter ensure that the had a reminder of “these things” after his death?
Matt 24:35 Jesus wor
Multiple periods of editorial organization went in to producing the ever expanding revelation. The final editing period was probably Ezra (scribe/priest) about 450 B.C. Moses is the first, another possible is Samuel.
What About Official NT Documents?
In 397 the Synod of Carthage confirmed as official the 27 books we now know as the NT (that would be the greek speaking orthodox church, which later split into the catholic and the orthodox groups).
Clearly, the NT also is a collection of writings from multiple authors and was put together by some sort of editor or editorial team (obviously the bible was edited throughout its history). But who edited the bible? Who gave them the authority? There are two theories I want to discuss.
1. The NT was put together through a gradual process of sifting and evaluating hundreds of available documents and letters, deciding which were the best… a couple hundred years. The main weakness is that it falls prey to accusations of personal/political agendas driving the project. (feminists for ex). The idea being that the strongest group (not necessarily the right group) won out and forced their stamp upon the western world… we’re right because we won. People continually keep trying to resurrect the supposed alternate version of the church’s writings (nag hammadi, the davinci code etc). 2 Thess 2:1-2 Paul predicted that this very thing would happen.
2. Now the one I prefer (also UCG)… that the apostles themselves (Paul, Peter, John) decided the final form and content of the NT. With John himself finishing the task and distributing the 27 book collection among the church.
Neither view has definitive proof. The first view that the NT was developed gradually is based on fallible human reasoning, biased history and very scanty evidence (if any). The second view, that the content of the NT was decided by the ones who wrote it…. Is based on the scriptures themselves. Although there is not much to go on what we do have from scripture itself is a much more satisfying answer.
2 Peter 3:16 Peter, during his own lifetime, speaks of Paul’s writings as scripture… “the scriptures” in the same category as the OT scriptures themselves.
Paul’s role: 2 Tim 4:13 this would be a strange request unless Paul was asking for copies of various letters to select from among them. For example Col 4:16 refers to a letter that was left out… so clearly some selection appears to have taken place. Presumably Paul’s selections were passed along to Peter and later to John.
2 Peter 1:12,15 how else could Peter ensure that the had a reminder of “these things” after his death?
Matt 24:35 Jesus wor
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