Bible E-Course 22b - Bible Canon

The Christian Bible forms the measure of our faith. While tradition, reason and experience can contribute in valuable ways to our faith, they are not always the teachings of Jesus, the prophets and apostles. Let’s look at the canon of the Bible.

Compiling the Bible over thousands of years is called canonization. Canon means rule or measure and the Bible canon is thus the measure of the Christian faith. Canonization was a process whereby over time, ancient documents were deemed as authoritative and thus incorporated into the Bible by believers.

The Old Testament or Hebrew Scriptures were put together in a gradual process beginning with the earliest records compiled by Moses and concluding with Ezra. The New Testament canon was widely recognized long before any official acceptance.

Factors involved in deciding which books ought to be in the New Testament included that each piece was to be of apostolic origin, catholic (that is, universally accepted), Christ-centered, orthodox in its teaching, and contain internal evidence supporting it.

The number of books in the Christian Bible varies across Protestant, Catholic, Eastern Orthodox, Oriental Orthodox and Assyrian Eastern traditions. However, we all agree on the same central 66 books. The canon was already widely recognized and later confirmed during many North African meetings of church leaders known as the Councils of Carthage from 397 to 419 AD.

Inerrancy and infallibility

Inerrancy is a term that is much maligned and misunderstood. It is not found in the Bible. Rather, it is a negative synonym to the positive biblical word truth.

Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth. (John 17:17 NIV)

Is understanding the Bible important?

Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. (2 Timothy 2:15 NKJV)

Inerrant explains truth to a world that no longer believes in absolute truth. It does not include translation errors. It means that the Bible will not fail in its purpose.

Inerrancy is not a perfect word but is widely used among conservative Christians and usually limited to describing the original writings. Inerrantists recognize that no later translation of the Bible is perfect.

Another proposition is the infallibility of the Bible. Some believe it’s a better word, some think it is equal, and others consider it to be inferior to inerrancy. Infallibility means that the Bible is completely trustworthy as a guide to salvation and faith. It will accomplish its purpose.

How to Understand the Bible

Interpretation

How can we understand the Bible? Do we need heaven to help us understand? Did the Holy Spirit aid the apostles in accurately recalling events of Christ’s earthly ministry that they would eventually write down?

But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all that I said to you. (John 14:26 NASB)

Does something or someone lighten our path?

There was the true Light which, coming into the world, enlightens every man. (John 1:9 NASB)

The most widely accepted process of understanding the Bible among faithful experts is to start with exegesis. That means to prayerfully extract as best we can the original meaning. We don’t begin by shoving our culture backwards into history. Rather, we begin in the past, with their culture, their grammar, genre, history, and ask questions like “What did the author intend?”, “What did God intend?”, “What does the text actually say?”, and “What does the text NOT say?”

The process of exegesis is already done in large part down through history by dedicated theologians and other researchers who understand the original languages and study ancient history. One of the very best places to start is by using trusted conservative commentaries. Beware! Some Bible commentaries are written by people who do not believe that all scripture is God breathed. They sow doubt and not faith.

It is almost a useless exercise asking a group Bible Study questions like, “What does this verse mean to you?” In reality, we should not care what people THINK a text means. We should want to know what it actually means. That’s where experts who write commentaries help.

Application

The whole process of studying the Bible should take us from the historical context through a modern application into our hope of eternity. This process is also called hermeneutics. Since ancient times, Bible students have studied four different facets of hermeneutics: a literal, moral, allegorical and anagogical lesson. The last of these deals with the afterlife. Any passage of scripture can involve all four facets.

Application can be a joyful journey of Christian discussion. The application step is where everyone can be an expert. How does a passage of Scripture apply to business, politics, church, farm, community and family?

The application step can also be dangerous, legalistic and even heretical. We may be tempted to have legalistic man-made rules which supersede God’s law, vain traditions and even heresy.

The Holy Spirit’s Help

The Holy Spirit helps us understand the Bible. However, we need to be careful, pray for discernment, and test or prove the spirits.

Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world. (1 John 4:1 NASB)

Many people have gone off in crazy directions claiming that the Holy Spirit led them there. It is the work of the Holy Spirit to illuminate the Bible to our understanding, but He also lights up the understanding of others who can advise us. Going it alone is dangerous for any Christian. Conservative Bible commentaries, written by those who actually believe the Bible, are excellent counselors.

Where there is no guidance, a people falls, but in an abundance of counselors there is safety. (Proverbs 11:14 ESV)

Of course, the Holy Spirit is our main advisor.

… these things God has revealed to us through the Spirit… that we might understand the things freely given us by God. And we impart this in words not taught by human wisdom but taught by the Spirit, interpreting spiritual truths to those who are spiritual… they are spiritually discerned. (1 Corinthians 2:9-14 ESV)

May our hearts be flooded with heavenly light.

I pray that your hearts will be flooded with light so that you can understand the confident hope he has given to those he called—his holy people who are his rich and glorious inheritance. (Ephesians 1:18 NLT)

Do you believe that God inspired a handbook for all humanity? Do you believe it to be a record of His dealings with mankind through many generations? Do you believe it contains a blueprint of His eternal plan for us? You decide!

Matthew 3 Preparing the Way for Christ

Is believing without repenting valid? Why did both Jesus and John the Baptist preach repent? Let’s learn why in Matthew 3:1-12.

Preaching & Teaching (vs 1)

In those days John the Baptist came preaching in the wilderness of Judea (Matthew 3:1)

In the Bible the word "preach" means “announce” the Gospel publicly (Matthew 3:1-2; 4:17). We call an in-house sermon preaching, but the Bible calls it teaching. Preaching was public. Teaching was instructing believers (Matthew 28:19-20). What did John preach?

Repent (vs 2a)

and saying, “Repent” (Matthew 3:2a)

Repent of what? What was wrong? What’s wrong with our world? The meaning here is “a change of heart.” Does our world need to change? Repentance brings hope of a new beginning.

Is repentance then just a one time thing? Big “R” repentance is when one first turns from sin to God. Little “r” repentance is like course corrections on our pilgrimage. In this life we never stop repenting.

God’s Kingdom (vs 2b)

“… for the kingdom of heaven is at hand!” (Matthew 3:2b)

John’s announcement of repentance had a great sense of urgency, “the kingdom of heaven is near.” The rule of God or heaven is now in the lives of those who accept him. A modern equivalent is saying that God is now taking control.1

1 The Gospel of Matthew, The New International Commentary of the New Testament, R. T. France, 2007, Wm B. Eerdmans Publishing Co, p. 102

Wilderness (vs 3)

For this is he who was spoken of by the prophet Isaiah, saying: “The voice of one crying in the wilderness: ‘Prepare the way of the Lord; Make His paths straight.’ ” (vs 3)

John did not preach in Jerusalem or the temple. He preached both in the literal wilderness and the spiritual wilderness of a sinful world. An international trade route passed here. Hence, the analogy of preparing the way and paths. How interesting that there is one way, but many paths. That is like Christianity as one way, but with many denominations.

Country Preacher (vs 4)

Now John himself was clothed in camel’s hair, with a leather belt around his waist; and his food was locusts and wild honey. (vs 4)

John the baptizer was a wilderness preacher dressed in poor country rags, challenging established religion, likely seen by religious leaders as a rebel. He emphasized repentance, a change of heart. John did not encourage the repentant to make a sin offering (Leviticus 5), but to be baptized in water. He paved the way for a new high priest who would also baptize people with the Holy Spirit and fire.

Baptized (vs 5-6)

Then Jerusalem, all Judea, and all the region around the Jordan went out to him and were baptized by him in the Jordan, confessing their sins. (vs 5-6)

We are introduced to one of the most important newscasters of all history. His announcement was made in the wilderness at the edge of Roman imperial control. This last of the Old Testament prophets was dressed in the simple clothing of poor farming folk like Elijah. Where Israel crossed the Jordan to become God’s kingdom on earth, John announced the kingdom of heaven.

Snakes (vs 7)

But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees coming to his baptism, he said to them, “Brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the wrath to come? (vs 7)

John’s preaching was the uncomfortable truth. Like Jesus, he said repent for the kingdom of heaven is at hand, and called religious leaders snakes. What was needed?

Fruits (vs 8)

Therefore bear fruits worthy of repentance, (vs 8)

True repentance is accompanied by fruits, action. The unasked question is: What must change? The root cause of all our planet’s ills is spiritual and so is the solution. What are the necessary fruits?

but declared first to those in Damascus and in Jerusalem, and throughout all the region of Judea, and then to the Gentiles, that they should repent, turn to God, and do works befitting repentance. (Acts 26:20)

If a brother or sister is naked and destitute of daily food, and one of you says to them, “Depart in peace, be warmed and filled,” but you do not give them the things which are needed for the body, what does it profit? Thus also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead. (James 2:15-17)

What happens if we don’t bear fruit?

Good Fruit (vs 9-10)

and do not think to say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as our father.’ For I say to you that God is able to raise up children to Abraham from these stones. And even now the ax is laid to the root of the trees. Therefore every tree which does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. (vs 9-10)

What is good fruit?

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law. (Galatians 5:22-23)

that you may walk worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing Him, being fruitful in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God; (Colossians 1:10)

How did John speak of Jesus?

A More Powerful One (vs 11)

I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance, but He who is coming after me is mightier than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. (vs 11)

A bishop’s mitre hat pictures tongues of fire of Pentecost. The pouring out of the Holy Spirit is also symbolized by water poured out on the head, practiced by some in baptism.

Then there appeared to them divided tongues, as of fire, and one sat upon each of them. (Acts 2:3)

Baptism with fire has a double meaning. The unrepentant will also be tossed into a lake of fire.

And anyone not found written in the Book of Life was cast into the lake of fire. (Revelation 20:15)

What does the lake of fire do?

Unquenchable Fire (vs 12)

“His winnowing fan is in His hand, and He will thoroughly clean out His threshing floor, and gather His wheat into the barn; but He will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire.” (vs 12)

This seems to describe annihilation in hell. Other scriptures seem to describe eternal suffering, not annihilation. Let’s leave that on the shelf until Christ’s return? The bottom line? Hell bad; heaven good; choose heaven. Jesus spoke more about hell than any other in the entire Bible. Should we follow John’s and Christ’s example calling for repentance?

That this is a rebellious people, Lying children, Children who will not hear the law of the Lord; Who say to the seers, “Do not see,” And to the prophets, “Do not prophesy to us right things; Speak to us smooth things, prophesy deceits. Get out of the way, Turn aside from the path, Cause the Holy One of Israel To cease from before us.” (Isaiah 30:9-11)

Outro/Take Home

Have we in the contemporary church failed God, by preaching smooth things? Instead of a hollow motivational speech do we need to get back to preaching repentance and the kingdom of God like John and Jesus? You decide!

Bible E-Course 22a - How God Reveals Himself

Does God reveal Himself in the Bible? How do we understand the Bible? How was the Bible composed? Studying God’s revelation of Himself in the Bible is called bibliology.

22a. How God Reveals Himself

God reveals Himself to humans in various ways, generally in His creation and specially in other ways. One of those special forms of self-disclosure is the Bible. Let’s first look at general revelation.

1. General Revelation

Does all creation broadcast abundant and compelling evidence for God’s existence?

The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands. Day after day they pour forth speech; night after night they reveal knowledge. They have no speech, they use no words; no sound is heard from them. Yet their voice goes out into all the earth, their words to the ends of the world. (Psalm 19:1-4 NIV)

Do people suppress the truth of God’s existence? Do highly educated, very intelligent people bury the ubiquitous evidence for God under a cloud of excuses?

For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men who suppress the truth in unrighteousness, because that which is known about God is evident within them; for God made it evident to them. For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood through what has been made, so that they are without excuse. (Romans 1:18-20 NASB)

Are the basics of God’s law universally instinctive throughout human cultures?

Even Gentiles, who do not have God’s written law, show that they know his law when they instinctively obey it, even without having heard it. They demonstrate that God’s law is written in their hearts, for their own conscience and thoughts either accuse them or tell them they are doing right. (Romans 2:14-15 NLT)

Does God still lovingly provide even for those who ignore the obvious natural witnesses of His existence and instead worship things made by mankind?

… God, who made the heaven, the earth, the sea, and all things that are in them, who in bygone generations allowed all nations to walk in their own ways. Nevertheless He did not leave Himself without witness, in that He did good, gave us rain from heaven and fruitful seasons, filling our hearts with food and gladness. (Acts 14:15-17 NKJV)

How much information about God can we discover without extra revelation?

2. Special Revelation

Does God provide us with special revelation beyond what we can observe with our eyes or that human culture can discover naturally? To whom do the scriptures point?

You study the Scriptures diligently because you think that in them you have eternal life. These are the very Scriptures that testify about me, yet you refuse to come to me to have life. (John 5:39-40 NIV)

Must God condescend to and accommodate our limited human abilities? Does God reveal His will in special ways?

Dreams

Has God revealed Himself in dreams?

But God came to Abimelek in a dream one night and said to him, "You are as good as dead because of the woman you have taken; she is a married woman." (Genesis 20:3 NIV)

Visions

Has God revealed Himself in visions, something seen in an ecstatic state?

Some time later, the LORD spoke to Abram in a vision and said to him, "Do not be afraid, Abram, for I will protect you, and your reward will be great." (Genesis 15:1 NLT)

Theophanies

Has God used a theophany, a visible manifestation of Himself?

When Joshua was by Jericho, he lifted up his eyes and looked, and behold, a man was standing before him… I am the commander of the army of the Lord… Take off your sandals from your feet, for the place where you are standing is holy.” And Joshua did so. (Joshua 5:13-15 ESV)

Divine Speech

Has God revealed Himself in voice only?

Then the LORD answered Job out of the whirlwind and said, “Who is this that darkens counsel By words without knowledge? (Job 38:1-2 NASB)

Special Acts

Has God revealed Himself in special acts?

And Israel saw that great work which the LORD did upon the Egyptians: and the people feared the LORD, and believed the LORD, and his servant Moses. (Exodus 14:31 KJV)

Jesus Christ

Is God revealed in Jesus?

No one has seen God at any time. The only begotten Son, who is in the bosom of the Father, He has declared Him. (John 1:18 NKJV)

The Bible

Is the Bible a written form of special revelation? Is all of it inspired, even the parts that some people avoid?

All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work. (2 Timothy 3:16-17 ESV)

The Bible is a collection of documents from about forty witnesses, written down over perhaps 1500 years. What special claim is made about its source?

for prophecy never came by the will of man, but holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit. (2 Peter 1:21 NKJV)

Was the Bible given by inspiration of God as its writers were moved by the Holy Spirit? Is it right then, to call all scripture God breathed? You decide!

Bible E-Course 21b - Solution to Sin

What’s the origin and solution to sin? Sin actually began in the angelic realm. Who deceived Eve?

“But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtilty, so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ.” (2 Corinthians 11:3 KJV)

How was sin transferred to humanity?

“When Adam sinned, sin entered the world. Adam's sin brought death, so death spread to everyone, for everyone sinned.” (Romans 5:12 NLT)

Inherited

Did Adam’s original sin create an environment in which everybody suffers and dies?

“For the sin of this one man, Adam, caused death to rule over many. But even greater is God’s wonderful grace and his gift of righteousness, for all who receive it will live in triumph over sin and death through this one man, Jesus Christ.” (Romans 5:12-21 NLT)

How early does sin affect us?

“For I was born a sinner—yes, from the moment my mother conceived me.” (Psalm 51:5 NLT)

When Christians Sin

Christians have had a life-changing repentance or “metanoia” experience in regard to sin. Do Christians still sin even though they don’t want to?

“For what I am doing, I do not understand. For what I will to do, that I do not practice; but what I hate, that I do. 16 If, then, I do what I will not to do, I agree with the law that it is good. 17 But now, it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells in me. 18 For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh) nothing good dwells; for to will is present with me, but how to perform what is good I do not find. 19 For the good that I will to do, I do not do; but the evil I will not to do, that I practice. 20 Now if I do what I will not to do, it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells in me.” (Romans 7:15-20 NKJV)

The difference is that a Christian’s sin is covered.

“Blessed are those whose transgressions are forgiven, whose sins are covered. Blessed is the one whose sin the Lord will never count against them.” (Romans 4:7-8 NIV)

Must we forgive others?

“Forgive us for doing wrong, as we forgive others.” (Matthew 6:12 CEV)

Must Christians even forgive the sins of fellow Christians?

“And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you.” (Ephesians 4:32 KJV)

Is it sinless perfection, or faith that makes us right with God?

“Therefore, since we have been made right in God’s sight by faith, we have peace with God because of what Jesus Christ our Lord has done for us.” (Romans 5:1 NLT)

Must we confess our sins?

“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.” (1 John 1:9 NIV)

God’s Solution

What are the consequences for those who reject God’s offer of forgiveness of sin?

“Then the King will turn to those on the left and say, ‘Away with you, you cursed ones, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his demons… And they will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous will go into eternal life.” (Matthew 25:41, 46 NLT)

What is the answer?

“Now we see how God does make us acceptable to him. The Law and the Prophets tell how we become acceptable, and it isn’t by obeying the Law of Moses. God treats everyone alike. He accepts people only because they have faith in Jesus Christ…” (Romans 3:21-26 CEV)

What does God do with forgiven sins?

“Blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven, Whose sin is covered.” (Psalm 32:1 NKJV cf. Romans 4:7)

“You forgave the iniquity of your people and covered all their sins.” (Psalm 85:2 NIV)

What is involved in God’s forgiveness?

“This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins.” (Matthew 26:28 NIV)

Is perfect doctrine required, which no church has, or something else?

“To him all the prophets bear witness that everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name.” (Acts 10:43 ESV)

“In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace” (Ephesians 1:7 NIV)

Does Jesus’ name have any bearing on this?

“I am writing to you, dear children, because your sins have been forgiven on account of his name.” (1 John 2:12 NIV)

Though we repented, turned from sinfulness to God, we still sin. As we do, we need ongoing repentance and faith in the sacrifice of Jesus. Those who refuse to repent and believe, have made a choice with terrible consequences. Repentant, we chose faith in Jesus, and God covers our sins with love and forgiveness, granting us eternal life. Which option do you choose? You decide!

Matthew 24 Be Ready

Is our job to predict when Jesus will return or to be ready? Let’s discuss this in Matthew 24:36-44.

End of an Era

But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, but My Father only. (Matthew 24:36)

If Jesus is God the Son and coequal with the Father, how does He not know the day or hour? The Athanasian Creed says that Christ is "equal to the Father, as touching his Godhead; and inferior to the Father, as touching his manhood.” Jesus the man is speaking here.

When is the end of this age? Jesus predicted the fall of Jerusalem and the Gospel preached in the whole world. No one knows the day or the hour of His return, a purposefully vague prophecy. We keep watch, because we don’t know on what day our Lord will come.

Like Noah’s Day

But as the days of Noah were, so also will the coming of the Son of Man be. For as in the days before the flood, they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noah entered the ark, and did not know until the flood came and took them all away, so also will the coming of the Son of Man be. (Matthew 24:37-39)

Jesus confirms the Noah flood narrative. Does science prove it wrong? Are we sure? If the flood is a myth, how were transcontinental sedimentary rock layers formed? How were the Grand Canyon layers formed without any evidence of erosion between layers? How are whale and possum fossils found mixed together?

Jesus includes a picture of normal life before Noah’s flood. We can become deluded that we don’t need to keep vigilant watch in prayerful preparation for his return. It appears that in apocalyptic times there may also be periods of normalcy. During those times watching will be even more imperative.

Left Behind

Then two men will be in the field: one will be taken and the other left. Two women will be grinding at the mill: one will be taken and the other left. (Matthew 24:40-41)

The “left behind” theories have difficulties with this passage. Jesus compares those “taken away” with evil people swept away in Noah’s flood. The natural reading of this passage is the opposite of the “left behind” theories. Jesus gave us enough to encourage hope, and enough left out to stimulate faith.

Watch

Watch therefore, for you do not know what hour your Lord is coming. (Matthew 24:42)

A mandate in the passage is to watch. A watchman must be vigilant. In Matthew 26:41 we are to watch and pray not to give into temptation. Jesus encourages us to be ready at all times, because he is coming at an hour when we do not think he will.

Shepherds watch flocks to protect them. Jesus warns us to remain clothed (Revelation 16:15), to watch and pray that we do not fall into temptation (Mark 14:38). Unlike the five foolish virgins (Matthew 25:1-13) a good watch is always ready, on guard lest the enemy tempt them.

Jesus Like a Burglar

But know this, that if the master of the house had known what hour the thief would come, he would have watched and not allowed his house to be broken into. Therefore you also be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect. (Matthew 24:43-44)

Jesus is like a burglar in only one way, his coming is unexpected. The only way to deal with burglars is to be ready, watching. Are we ready for Jesus? Most people will be uninterested in Jesus and unaware of the approach of his coming. Jesus challenges us to stay alert, be vigilant, ready for his coming.

Rather than becoming deluded by consumerism and materialism, let’s live out the kingdom of God here and now. We cannot know when Christ will return but He will and we must keep watch. We need to watch and pray so that when he comes we will be ready.

New King James Version (NKJV) Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.