Introduction to the BibleThe Canon Inspiration

Texts & VersionsHermeneutics

1. Canon & Authority

• Who is responsible for the contents of the Bible?Prominent lawgivers, prophets, and teachers as well as editors and compilers preserving what they thought were religious norms, and thereby exercising a significant amount of authority within the community.

• Why has the Bible endured over the centuries?The reason lies in the fact that the church throughout the ages has held the faith in its authoritative character.

1. Canon & Authority• Is the Bible relevant and still normative?

Anyone can be profoundly moved by the inspirational quality of the literature, religious or nonreligious. A believer, however, accept the traditions of the church as somehow binding. They are regarded as not only explaining the faith, but as forming the members within the faith.

• The canon then has to do with reference to authority. It is a statement from the past that continues to operative to the present. Believers hold that these writings had their origins in revelation and that as historical memory they continued to be a source of revelation today.

1. Canon & Authority

• The word “canon” originally means “reed.” it came to signify something that acted as a norm, a measuring stick. In Christian usage it refers to a model or a rule.

The Bible

• Inspired Word of God to certain people to write it down

• How is it written?

Theories of Inspiration

A. Mechanical Theory (Islam)- Human writer is a passive tool- Luke 1:1-4

B. Natural Theory-Natural product of personal experience –depends

on closeness of person to the events, some heresies

-2 Peter 1: 20-21

Theories of Inspiration C. Moral Theory-Ability to discover spiritual truth through a change of life

style-Undermines the supernatural inspiration, Some heresies

D. Dynamic Theory: + + THE ONLY THEORY THAT WE BELIEVE IN + +

- the Holy Spirit penetrating all the faculties & talents of the writer –enabling them to write God’s words & intentions without obstructing their free will, nor changing their innate character

- 4 Gospels (Humanity & Divinity)

The Bible

• The Bible is the WORD OF GOD & the SUPREME AUTHORITY in the CHURCH. It takes its authority directly from God

• All the Bible is inspired, but not all of it is the Revelation of God. (example: Human words & words of the devil). Author is Inspired by God to write it, but it is not a “Revelation of God”

Proof of Direct Inspiration (witnesses for the Revelations)

1. From within the Bible (Internal)Important Verses:A. “All Scripture is given by inspiration of God and is profitable

for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness.” 2 Timothy 3:16

B. “Knowing this first, that no prophecy of Scripture is of any private interpretation, 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 1:20-21

• Other Verses: Mat. 5:18; 15:3-4; 22:31-34• Acts 2:17-18… Etc

Proof of Direct Inspiration (witnesses for the Revelations)

2.Outside the Bible (External)A. CHURCH: We do not accept a book to be from

the Bible except what the Church says it is the HOLY BIBLE

• St. Augustine: “But I would not believe in the Gospel, had not the Authority of the Universal Church already moved me.”

The Relationship Between the Authority of the Bible & Authority of the

Church• The Bible gives sufficient knowledge of

Salvation in light of the Church Tradition

• “But if I am delayed, I write so that you may know how you ought to conduct yourself in the house of God, which is the Church of the Living God, the pillar and ground of the Truth.” 1 Timothy 3:15

The Relationship Between the Authority of the Bible & Authority of the

Church• + Church authority is to interpret & explain

the Bible• The Bible has difficult meanings

2 Peter 3:16-18• The new life in Christ is not accomplished in

separate individuals, but given to the Church as the living body of Christ with Jesus as the head of that Body

Apostolic Tradition

1. Definition: It is the collective teachings of Christ & the Apostles

2. Characteristics of Apostolic Tradition:A. Can be traced back to the time of the ApostlesB. Is present in all Apostolic ChurchesC. Does not contradict the Bible

-Some “Church Traditions” are not apostolic tradition like… (the infallibility of the Pope in the Catholic Church)

-The Protestants reject all tradition

Apostolic Tradition

3. Where Do We Find Apostolic TraditionA. The Commentary on the Bible-The Consensus Patrium (The Agreement of the Fathers)B. The Church CreedC. The Liturgy & Worship Practices in GeneralD. The Work of the Canonical Ecumenical Councils

Apostolic Tradition

4. Proof of TraditionA. From the Bible

1. Not everything Jesus did & taught is written in the Bible: John 20:30, 21:25; 2 John 12 2. 1 Corinth 11:34; 2 Timothy 1:13, 2:2; Rom 6:17; 2 Thes 2:153. Rev 3:11; 2:25

Apostolic Tradition

B. From the Church Fathers• St. Athanasius & the “Purpose” of the Bible

(To Serapion 2,7 & Bishops of Egypt 40)• How the Arians missed the Purpose of the Gospel• -Irenaus: The “Design”• -St. Basil: defense for the Holy Spirit is present in the

Liturgy• -St. Augustine: “But I would not believe in the Gospel,

had not the Authority of the Universal Church already moved me.”

Apostolic Tradition

• And truly Jesus did many other signs in the presence of His disciples, which are not written in this book. John 20:30

• And there are also many other things that Jesus did, which is they were written one by one, I suppose that even the world itself could not contain the books that would be written. Amen. John 21:25

• Having many things to write to you, I did not wish to do so with paper and ink; but I hope to come to you and speak face to face, that our joy may be full. 2 John 12

Apostolic Tradition• Hold fast the pattern of sound words which you have heard from me,

in faith and love which are in Christ Jesus. 2 Timothy 1:13• And the things that you have heard from me among many witnesses,

commit these to faithful men who will be able to teach others also. 2 Tim 2:2

• But God be thanked that though you were slaves to sin, yet you obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine to which you were delivered. Rom 6:17

• Therefore, brethren, stand fast and hold the traditions which you were taught, whether by word or our epistle. 2 Thes 2:15

• Behold, I am coming quickly! Hold fast what you have, that no one may take your crown. Rev 3:11

• But hold fast what you have till I come. Rev 2:25

Apostolic Tradition5.The Two Dimensions of the Apostolic Tradition

A. Objective: = “Keeping a Treasure” = nothing added & nothing should be subtracted-work of Popes & Bishops is to protect the

Revelation of God through TraditionB. Subjective/ Personal: The work of the Holy Spirit in

the Heart of the Believers without ink or paper (Jer 31:31 & Hebrews 8:8-11)-To form the conscience of the believer not

after one person but the collective conscience of the Church

The Bible as Tradition 1. Canon of Scriptures

-The Apostolic Tradition discerned what list of books should be incorporated in the Holy Bible-49 Books in Old Testament-27 Books in New Testament

2.New Testament lies hidden in the Old, and the Old Testament is unveiled in the New Testament (St. Augustine)

The Bible as Tradition

3. The Bible as oral tradition:-Old Testament Church were taught the Word of God orally in the wilderness by Moses before it was written, 5 Books of Moses-New Testament Church kept the Gospel by oral tradition before they were written.-Jesus had never asked his disciples to write but to teach.

The Bible as Tradition4.The Gospel is the heart of all Scriptures

-3 stages of Formation of the Gospelsa. The Life & Teaching of Jesusb. The Oral Tradition after His Ascensionc. The Written Gospel

5. The Four Fold Gospel has a Unique place in the Church-i.e. we stand up, light candles, listen in fear & reverence, offer incense-we emphasize personal daily readings of the Gospels