The Question of Canonicity

In my seminary classes this week, we have been covering the topic of canonicity. In today’s post I include just a brief portion of our class discussion.

 

Why do we consider the 66 books that make up our Bibles to be the inspired and authoritative Word of God?

While we could easily write many pages in response to this question, I believe the answer is ultimately a simple one. As Christians, we submit to the inspiration and authority of the Old Testament because Jesus Christ affirmed it as God’s Word. And, we submit to the inspiration and authority of the New Testament because Jesus Christ authorized His apostles to reveal His truth to His church.

The short answer to the canonicity question, then, is Jesus Christ. He determined the canon for us when He affirmed the Old Testament and authorized the New.

What follows is an introductory framework that fleshes this out in a little more detail:

1. By definition, the written Word of God consists of that which God has revealed through the inspiration of the Holy Spirit.

2 Peter 1:20–21 – “But know this first of all, that no prophecy of Scripture is a matter of one’s own interpretation [creation or origination], for no prophecy was ever made by an act of human will, but men moved by the Holy Spirit spoke from God.”    Keep Reading >>>