the bible is anything missing? norman l. geisler © 2013

The BibleThe BibleThe BibleThe Bible

Is Anything Is Anything Missing?Missing?Norman L. Geisler Norman L. Geisler ©© 2013 2013

The Bible: The Bible: Anything Anything Missing?Missing?


• Any Missing Books in the Old Any Missing Books in the Old Testament?Testament?

• Any Missing Books in the New Any Missing Books in the New Testament?Testament?

• Any New Books to Come?Any New Books to Come?

• Any Missing Books in the Old Any Missing Books in the Old Testament?Testament?

• Any Missing Books in the New Any Missing Books in the New Testament?Testament?

• Any New Books to Come?Any New Books to Come?

Any Missing Books?Any Missing Books?

In the Old Testament?In the Old Testament? In the New Testament? In the New Testament?

The So-called “Missing Books” of the OT

• They are not lost: We know where they are



• They are not lost: We know where they are.

• They were in the Greek translation of the OT known as the Septuagint (LXX).

• The are called “The Apocrypha” (i.e., hidden or doubtful).

• Eleven of the them are in the Roman Catholic Old Testament.

• 1) The Wisdom of Solomon (C. 30 B.C.)• 2) Ecclesiasticus (Sirach) (c. 132 B.C.)• 3) Tobit (c. 200 B.C.)• 4) Judith (c. 150 B.C.)• 5) 1 Esdras (c. 150-100 B.C.) [3 Esdras in Roman Catholic Bible]• 6) 2 Esdras (c. 100 A.D.) [4 Esdras in Roman Catholic Bible]• 7) 1 Maccabees (c. 110 B.C.)• 8) 2 Maccabees (c. 110-70 B.C.)• 9) Baruch (c. 150-50 B.C.)---Baruch 1-6

– (Letter of Jeremiah [c. 300-100 B.C.])--Baruch 6

• 10) Addition to Esther (140-130 B.C.)--Esther 10:4-16:24• 11) Prayer of Azariah (2nd or 1st cent B.C.)--Daniel 3:24-90• 12) Susanna (2nd or 1st cent B.C.)--Daniel 13• 13) Bel and the Dragon (c. 100 B.C.)--Daniel 14• 14) Prayer of Manasseh (2nd or 1st cent B.C.)

• 1) The Wisdom of Solomon (C. 30 B.C.)• 2) Ecclesiasticus (Sirach) (c. 132 B.C.)• 3) Tobit (c. 200 B.C.)• 4) Judith (c. 150 B.C.)• 5) 1 Esdras (c. 150-100 B.C.) [3 Esdras in Roman Catholic Bible]• 6) 2 Esdras (c. 100 A.D.) [4 Esdras in Roman Catholic Bible]• 7) 1 Maccabees (c. 110 B.C.)• 8) 2 Maccabees (c. 110-70 B.C.)• 9) Baruch (c. 150-50 B.C.)---Baruch 1-6

– (Letter of Jeremiah [c. 300-100 B.C.])--Baruch 6

• 10) Addition to Esther (140-130 B.C.)--Esther 10:4-16:24• 11) Prayer of Azariah (2nd or 1st cent B.C.)--Daniel 3:24-90• 12) Susanna (2nd or 1st cent B.C.)--Daniel 13• 13) Bel and the Dragon (c. 100 B.C.)--Daniel 14• 14) Prayer of Manasseh (2nd or 1st cent B.C.)

Eleven Books Accepted by Roman Catholics

The So-called“Missing Books”of the OT areknown as “The Apocrypha”



• But do they belong in the Bible?– Catholics say “Yes”


• But do they belong in the Bible?– Catholics say “Yes”



• But do they belong in the Bible?– Catholics say “Yes”– Protestants say “No”


• But do they belong in the Bible?– Catholics say “Yes”– Protestants say “No”

– 1) The Wisdom of Solomon (c. 30 B.C.)– 2) Ecclesiasticus (Sirach) (c. 132 B.C.)– 3) Tobit (c. 200 B.C.)– 4) Judith (c. 150 B.C.)– 5) 1 Maccabees (c. 110 B.C.)– 6) 2 Maccabees (c. 110-70 B.C.)– 7) Baruch (c. 150-50 B.C.)---Baruch 1-6– (Letter of Jeremiah [c. 300-100 B.C.])--Baruch 6

– 1) The Wisdom of Solomon (c. 30 B.C.)– 2) Ecclesiasticus (Sirach) (c. 132 B.C.)– 3) Tobit (c. 200 B.C.)– 4) Judith (c. 150 B.C.)– 5) 1 Maccabees (c. 110 B.C.)– 6) 2 Maccabees (c. 110-70 B.C.)– 7) Baruch (c. 150-50 B.C.)---Baruch 1-6– (Letter of Jeremiah [c. 300-100 B.C.])--Baruch 6


Seven are in the table of contents:



– 1) The Wisdom of Solomon (c. 30 B.C.)– 2) Ecclesiasticus (Sirach) (c. 132 B.C.)– 3) Tobit (c. 200 B.C.)– 4) Judith (c. 150 B.C.)– 5) 1 Maccabees (c. 110 B.C.)– 6) 2 Maccabees (c. 110-70 B.C.)– 7) Baruch (c. 150-50 B.C.)---Baruch 1-5

• (Letter of Jeremiah [c. 300-100 B.C.])--Baruch 6

– Four are added to other books:– 8) Addition to Esther (140-130 B.C.)--Esther 10:4-16:24– 9) Prayer of Azariah (2nd or 1st cent B.C.)--Daniel 3:24-90– 10) Susanna (2nd or 1st cent B.C.)--Daniel 13– 11) Bel and the Dragon (c. 100 B.C.)--Daniel 14

– 1) The Wisdom of Solomon (c. 30 B.C.)– 2) Ecclesiasticus (Sirach) (c. 132 B.C.)– 3) Tobit (c. 200 B.C.)– 4) Judith (c. 150 B.C.)– 5) 1 Maccabees (c. 110 B.C.)– 6) 2 Maccabees (c. 110-70 B.C.)– 7) Baruch (c. 150-50 B.C.)---Baruch 1-5

• (Letter of Jeremiah [c. 300-100 B.C.])--Baruch 6

– Four are added to other books:– 8) Addition to Esther (140-130 B.C.)--Esther 10:4-16:24– 9) Prayer of Azariah (2nd or 1st cent B.C.)--Daniel 3:24-90– 10) Susanna (2nd or 1st cent B.C.)--Daniel 13– 11) Bel and the Dragon (c. 100 B.C.)--Daniel 14





Roman Catholics Say “Yes”

Why Catholics Say “Yes”

1) The NT cites the Apocrypha.2) The Greek OT (LXX) contained them.3)Some early Fathers cited them.4) Some Greek Mss. of 4th cent (Aleph, A, and B) have them.5) St. Augustine accepted them in 4th cent.6) Eastern Church accepts them.7) Many Protestant Bibles had them up to 19th cent.8) Some were found in Dead Sea Scrolls.9) Some church councils accepted them.10) Roman Catholic Church canonized them in A. D. 1546.

Protestant Response:Protestant Response:1) NT never cites them as Scripture.

a) At best it only alludes to events in them (cf. Heb. 11:35).b) It never cites them as inspired (“God said” etc.).c) It also quotes uninspired pagan poets (Acts 17:28).

2) Greek OT of 4th cent. A.D. had them, but--a) It is not known that the original Greek OT (LXX) had themb) No Hebrew Bible ever had them.c) Palestine, not Egypt, was place of their origin.

3) Some early Fathers cited them, but--a) Many early Fathers clearly rejected them (Athanasius, Cyril of Jerusalem, Origen, and Jerome).b) Almost no early Father clearly accepted them.c) Many alleged patristic citations are not from the Apocrypha.d) Those that are cited are not clearly cited as Scripture.

An Authority on the OT Canon Said:An Authority on the OT Canon Said:– “When one examines the passages in the early

Fathers which are supposed to establish the canonicity of the Apocrypha, one finds that some of them are taken from the alternative Greek text of Ezra (1 Esdras) or from additions or appendices to Daniel, Jeremiah or some other canonical book, which...are not really relevant; that others of them are not quotations from the Apocrypha at all; and that, of those which are, many do not give any indication that the book is regarded as Scripture” (Roger Beckwith,The Old Testament Canon in the New Testament Church..., 387).

– “When one examines the passages in the early Fathers which are supposed to establish the canonicity of the Apocrypha, one finds that some of them are taken from the alternative Greek text of Ezra (1 Esdras) or from additions or appendices to Daniel, Jeremiah or some other canonical book, which...are not really relevant; that others of them are not quotations from the Apocrypha at all; and that, of those which are, many do not give any indication that the book is regarded as Scripture” (Roger Beckwith,The Old Testament Canon in the New Testament Church..., 387).

Protestant Response:Protestant Response:5) Augustine accepted them in 4th cent., but--5) Augustine accepted them in 4th cent., but--

Protestant Response:Protestant Response:5) Augustine accepted them in 4th cent., but--

a) His contemporary St. Jerome (who translated the Bible into Latin) rejected all of them;

5) Augustine accepted them in 4th cent., but--a) His contemporary St. Jerome (who translated the Bible into Latin) rejected all of them;


a) His contemporary St. Jerome (who translated the Bible into Latin) rejected all of them;b) Most earlier Fathers rejected them;

5) Augustine accepted them in 4th cent., but--a) His contemporary St. Jerome (who translated the Bible into Latin) rejected all of them;b) Most earlier Fathers rejected them;


a) His contemporary St. Jerome (who translated the Bible into Latin) rejected all of them;b) Most earlier Fathers rejected them;c) Augustine’s grounds for accepting them was wrong (viz., that they contain wonderful stories of martyrs! So does

Foxe’s Book of Martyrs!

5) Augustine accepted them in 4th cent., but--a) His contemporary St. Jerome (who translated the Bible into Latin) rejected all of them;b) Most earlier Fathers rejected them;c) Augustine’s grounds for accepting them was wrong (viz., that they contain wonderful stories of martyrs! So does

Foxe’s Book of Martyrs!


a) His contemporary St. Jerome (who translated the Bible into Latin) rejected all of them;b) Most earlier Fathers rejected them;c) Augustine’s grounds for accepting them was wrong (viz., that they contain wonderful stories of martyrs! So does

Foxe’s Book of Martyrs!d) He recognized that the Jews (whose books they were)

rejected them (City of God, 19.36-38).

5) Augustine accepted them in 4th cent., but--a) His contemporary St. Jerome (who translated the Bible into Latin) rejected all of them;b) Most earlier Fathers rejected them;c) Augustine’s grounds for accepting them was wrong (viz., that they contain wonderful stories of martyrs! So does

Foxe’s Book of Martyrs!d) He recognized that the Jews (whose books they were)



a) His contemporary St. Jerome (who translated the Bible into Latin) rejected all of them;

b) Most earlier Fathers rejected them;c) Augustine’s grounds for accepting them was wrong:

(1) That they contain wonderful stories of martyrs; So does Foxe’s Book of Martyrs!(2) That the Greek OT (LXX) which contained them was

inspired.d) He recognized that the Jews (whose books they were)


6) The Eastern Church has not always accepted them:

5) Augustine accepted them in 4th cent., but--a) His contemporary St. Jerome (who translated the Bible into

Latin) rejected all of them;b) Most earlier Fathers rejected them;c) Augustine’s grounds for accepting them was wrong:

(1) That they contain wonderful stories of martyrs; So does Foxe’s Book of Martyrs!(2) That the Greek OT (LXX) which contained them was

inspired.d) He recognized that the Jews (whose books they were)


6) The Eastern Church has not always accepted them:


a) His contemporary St. Jerome (who translated the Bible into Latin) rejected all of them;b) Most earlier Fathers rejected them;c) Augustine’s grounds for accepting them was wrong; d) He recognized that the Jews (whose books they were)

rejected them (City of God, 19.36-38).6) The Eastern Church has not always accepted them:

a) No record of early official acceptance of them.b) Some late Synods of 17th cent. Accepted them, but--c) But the Larger Catechism (1839) omits them.

5) Augustine accepted them in 4th cent., but--a) His contemporary St. Jerome (who translated the Bible into Latin) rejected all of them;b) Most earlier Fathers rejected them;c) Augustine’s grounds for accepting them was wrong; d) He recognized that the Jews (whose books they were)

rejected them (City of God, 19.36-38).6) The Eastern Church has not always accepted them:

a) No record of early official acceptance of them.b) Some late Synods of 17th cent. Accepted them, but--c) But the Larger Catechism (1839) omits them.

• 7) Many Protestant Bibles had them up to 19th cent, but--

• 7) Many Protestant Bibles had them up to 19th cent, but--

Protestant Response:Protestant Response:

• 7) Many Protestant Bibles had them up to 19th cent, but--– a) Protestants did not accept them as canonical;

• 7) Many Protestant Bibles had them up to 19th cent, but--– a) Protestants did not accept them as canonical;


• 7) Many Protestant Bibles had them up to 19th cent, but--– a) Protestants did not accept them as canonical;– b) They were sometimes printed between the OT

and NT but not as part of either inspired section.






• 8) Some were found in Dead Sea Scrolls, but--



• 8) Some were found in Dead Sea Scrolls, but--




• 8) Some were found in Dead Sea Scrolls, but--– a) There is no indication they were considered

inspired;




inspired;





inspired;– b) No commentaries were found on them as there

were on the inspired books





were on the inspired books






were on the inspired books. – c) None had the special parchment and script used

only of inspired books).





were on the inspired books. – c) None had the special parchment and script used

only of inspired books).


• 9) Some church councils accepted them, but--– a) They were local councils, not universal

ones.– b) They were late councils, not early ones

(Councils of Rome, Hippo, and Carthage were all late 4th cent.)

– c) They were not infallible councils that acceptance them until Trent in

A.D. 1546.

• 9) Some church councils accepted them, but--– a) They were local councils, not universal

ones.– b) They were late councils, not early ones

(Councils of Rome, Hippo, and Carthage were all late 4th cent.)

– c) They were not infallible councils that acceptance them until Trent in

A.D. 1546.


Protestant Response:Protestant Response:10) Roman Catholic Church canonized them in

A. D. 1546 (at The Council of Trent), but this was--

a) The wrong group (Christians not Jews);b) At the wrong time (1600+ years late);c) On the wrong basis:

On the authority of the church Not on the authority of God (through a prophet of God)

Protestant Response:Protestant Response:d) For the wrong reason: to defend its dogma vs. Protestants.

d) For the wrong reason: to defend its dogma vs. Protestants.

Protestant Response:Protestant Response:4) For the wrong reason: to defend its dogma vs. Protestants.

a) They accepted 2 Maccabees which was in favor of praying for the dead.

4) For the wrong reason: to defend its dogma vs. Protestants.

a) They accepted 2 Maccabees which was in favor of praying for the dead.


a) They accepted 2 Maccabees which was for

praying for the dead.b) But rejected 2[4] Esdras which was against it.



praying for the dead.b) But rejected 2[4] Esdras which was against it.



praying for the dead.b) But rejected 2[4] Esdras which was against it.“It is therefore a holy and wholesome thought to pray for the dead that they may be loosed from their sins (2 Mac. 12:45[46]).



praying for the dead.b) But rejected 2[4] Esdras which was against it.“It is therefore a holy and wholesome thought to pray for the dead that they may be loosed from their sins (2 Mac. 12:45[46]).



praying for the dead.b) But rejected 2[4] Esdras which was against it.“It is therefore a holy and wholesome thought to pray for the dead that they may be loosed from their sins (2 Mac. 12:45[46]).“Just as a father does not send his son…to be ill or sleep or eat or be healed in his stead, so no one shall ever pray for another on that day [“when they shall be separated from their mortal body”--v. 88]” (2 Esdras 7:105).



praying for the dead.b) But rejected 2[4] Esdras which was against it.“It is therefore a holy and wholesome thought to pray for the dead that they may be loosed from their sins (2 Mac. 12:45[46]).“Just as a father does not send his son…to be ill or sleep or eat or be healed in his stead, so no one shall ever pray for another on that day [“when they shall be separated from their mortal body”--v. 88]” (2 Esdras 7:105).

Two Views ComparedThe Church is:


Determiner DiscovererDeterminer Discoverer



Determiner DiscovererMother Child

Determiner DiscovererMother Child



Determiner DiscovererMother ChildMaster Servant

Determiner DiscovererMother ChildMaster Servant



Determiner DiscovererMother ChildMaster ServantMagistrate Minister

Determiner DiscovererMother ChildMaster ServantMagistrate Minister



Determiner DiscovererMother ChildMaster ServantMagistrate MinisterRegulator Recognizer

Determiner DiscovererMother ChildMaster ServantMagistrate MinisterRegulator Recognizer



Determiner DiscovererMother ChildMaster ServantMagistrate MinisterRegulator RecognizerJudge Jury





of the Canon


of the Canon

Why Protestants Say “No”Why Protestants Say “No”

Why Protestants Say “No”The Apocrypha:

1) Does not claim to be inspired by God.2) Was not written by prophets of God (1 Mac. 9:27).3) Was not confirmed by supernatural acts of God (Heb. 2:3-4).4) Does not always tell the truth of God:

On praying for the dead (2 Mac. 12:46);On working for salvation (Tobit 12:9).

5) Was not accepted by the people of God (Judaism) who wrote it.6) Was not accepted by Jesus the Son of God (Lk. 24:27).7) Was not accepted by the Apostles of God (who never quoted it).8) Was not accepted by the Early Church of God. 9) Was rejected by the great Catholic translator of Word of God.10) Was not written during period of prophets of God.


• 10) It was not written during the period of prophets of God (according to Jewish Teaching):

• 10) It was not written during the period of prophets of God (according to Jewish Teaching):


• 10) It was not written during the period of prophets of God (according to the Jewish Teaching):– The Jewish Historian Josephus (Contra Apion 1.8):

“From Artaxerxes [4th cent B.C.] until our time everything has been recorded, but has not been deemed worthy of like credit with what preceded, because the exact succession of the prophets ceased.”






– The Jewish Talmud: “With the death of Haggai, Zechariah and Malachi the latter prophets, the Holy Spirit ceased out of Israel” (Tos. Sotah 13:2).



– The Jewish Talmud: “With the death of Haggai, Zechariah and Malachi the latter prophets, the Holy Spirit ceased out of Israel” (Tos. Sotah 13:2).

Any Missing Books in the New Testament?Any Missing Books in the New Testament?

• Question about the New Testament Canon



• Question about the New Testament Canon– Initial Acceptance vs. Later Debate– Eventual Recognition of all 27 books




• Rejection of all Non-canonical Books





• Rejection of all Non-canonical Books• Discussion of the So-called “Missing

Books”



Books”

Initial Acceptance vs. Later Debate


Evidence books were accepted when written: In the Old Testament





Moses’ Book was stored in the ark (Deut. 31:26).


Moses’ Book was stored in the ark (Deut. 31:26).




Moses’ Book was stored in the ark (Deut. 31:26).Joshua’s book was added to Moses’ book (Josh. 24:26).


Moses’ Book was stored in the ark (Deut. 31:26).Joshua’s book was added to Moses’ book (Josh. 24:26).




Moses’ Book was stored in the ark (Deut. 31:26).Joshua’s book was added to Moses’ book (Josh. 24:26).Samuel’s book was added to the canon (1Sam. 10:25).


Moses’ Book was stored in the ark (Deut. 31:26).Joshua’s book was added to Moses’ book (Josh. 24:26).Samuel’s book was added to the canon (1Sam. 10:25).




Moses’ Book was stored in the ark (Deut. 31:26).Joshua’s book was added to Moses’ book (Josh. 24:26).Samuel’s book was added to the canon (1Sam. 10:25).Daniel had the Law and Prophets (including Jeremiah his contemporary (Dan. 9:2, 10-11).


Moses’ Book was stored in the ark (Deut. 31:26).Joshua’s book was added to Moses’ book (Josh. 24:26).Samuel’s book was added to the canon (1Sam. 10:25).Daniel had the Law and Prophets (including Jeremiah his contemporary (Dan. 9:2, 10-11).




Moses’ Book was stored in the ark (Deut. 31:26).Joshua’s book was added to Moses’ book (Josh. 24:26).Samuel’s book was added to the canon (1Sam. 10:25).Daniel had the Law and Prophets (including Jeremiah his contemporary (Dan. 9:2, 10-11).Zechariah refers to “the law” & “former prophets” (7:12)Later books cite earlier ones:







Joshua refers to Moses (Josh. 1:8)



Joshua refers to Moses (Josh. 1:8)





Joshua refers to Moses (Josh. 1:8)Ezekiel refers to Job (Eze. 14:14, 20)



Joshua refers to Moses (Josh. 1:8)Ezekiel refers to Job (Eze. 14:14, 20)





Joshua refers to Moses (Josh. 1:8)Ezekiel refers to Job (Eze. 14:14, 20)Isaiah is cited by Micah (Micah 4:1-3 cf. Isa. 2:2-4)



Joshua refers to Moses (Josh. 1:8)Ezekiel refers to Job (Eze. 14:14, 20)Isaiah is cited by Micah (Micah 4:1-3 cf. Isa. 2:2-4)





Joshua refers to Moses (Josh. 1:8)Ezekiel refers to Job (Eze. 14:14, 20)Isaiah is cited by Micah (Micah 4:1-3 cf. Isa. 2:2-4)Micah is cited by Jeremiah (Jer. 26:18 cf. Micah 3:12)



Joshua refers to Moses (Josh. 1:8)Ezekiel refers to Job (Eze. 14:14, 20)Isaiah is cited by Micah (Micah 4:1-3 cf. Isa. 2:2-4)Micah is cited by Jeremiah (Jer. 26:18 cf. Micah 3:12)

Initial Acceptance vs. Later Debate Initial Acceptance vs. Later Debate

• Evidence books were accepted when written:– In the New Testament:




• Paul cites the Gospels (1Tim. 5:18 cf. Luke 10:7).


• Paul cites the Gospels (1Tim. 5:18 cf. Luke 10:7).



• Paul cites the Gospels (1Tim. 5:18 cf. Luke 10:7).• Paul encouraged Colossians to read the Epistle

coming from Laodicea (probably Ephesians) (Col. 4:16).








• Peter had a collection of Paul’s “Epistles” (2Pet. 3:16).




• Peter had a collection of Paul’s “Epistles” (2Pet. 3:16).



• Paul cites the Gospels (1Tim. 5:18 cf. Luke 10:7).• Paul encouraged Colossians to read the Epistle coming

from Laodicea (probably Ephesians) (Col. 4:16).

• Peter had a collection of Paul’s “Epistles” (2Pet. 3:16).• John sent his Epistle to all the churches of Asia Minor (Rev. 1:4)



from Laodicea (probably Ephesians) (Col. 4:16).

• Peter had a collection of Paul’s “Epistles” (2Pet. 3:16).• John sent his Epistle to all the churches of Asia Minor (Rev. 1:4)




from Laodicea (probably Ephesians) (Col. 4:16).• Peter had a collection of Paul’s “Epistles” (2Pet. 3:16).• John sent his Epistle to all the churches of Asia Minor Rev. 1:4)• Paul charged that his epistle to the Thessalonicans to

“be read to all the holy brethren” (1Thes. 5:27).



from Laodicea (probably Ephesians) (Col. 4:16).• Peter had a collection of Paul’s “Epistles” (2Pet. 3:16).• John sent his Epistle to all the churches of Asia Minor Rev. 1:4)• Paul charged that his epistle to the Thessalonicans to

“be read to all the holy brethren” (1Thes. 5:27).




from Laodicea (probably Ephesians) (Col. 4:16).• Peter had a collection of Paul’s “Epistles” (2Pet. 3:16).• John sent his Epistle to all the churches of Asia Minor Rev. 1:4)• Paul charged that his epistle to the Thessalonicans to read to all the brethren (1Thes. 5:27). • Early Fathers cited virtually the whole NT.



from Laodicea (probably Ephesians) (Col. 4:16).• Peter had a collection of Paul’s “Epistles” (2Pet. 3:16).• John sent his Epistle to all the churches of Asia Minor Rev. 1:4)• Paul charged that his epistle to the Thessalonicans to read to all the brethren (1Thes. 5:27). • Early Fathers cited virtually the whole NT.

Early Fathers Cited the Whole NTEarly Fathers Cited the Whole NT

• Second Century Fathers • --Cited Almost Every Book


Early Fathers Cited the Whole NTEarly Fathers Cited the Whole NT


• Second--Third Cent Fathers • --Cited Almost Every Verse


• Second--Third Cent Fathers • --Cited Almost Every Verse

Early Fathers Cited Almost Every NT BookEarly Fathers Cited Almost Every NT Book

• By A.D. 150 every book but 3 John and Jude was cited




• By A.D. 200 every book but 3 John was cited






• Question: When did you cite 3 John last?



• Question: When did you cite 3 John last?

Early Fathers Cited Every Book and Most NT Verses

Early Fathers Cited Every Book and Most NT Verses

Justin Martyr-------------330Irenaeus----------------1,819

Clement of Alex.-------2,406Origen--------------------17,922Tertullian----------------7,258Hippolytus---------------1,378Eusebius-----------------5,176Grand Total------------36,289

Latter Debate over Earlier Acceptance

Latter Debate over Earlier Acceptance

Initial acceptance of all books---1st centContinued acceptance of all books by most--2nd cent

Citations of booksQuotations of versesTranslations of all books (Old Latin by A.D. 200)Official lists (all books listed by A.D. 300)

Later debate by some books--3rd centuryWas over only a few books (Heb., Jas., 2Pet., 2Jn., 3Jn., Rev.) which had already been acceptedWas due to remoteness of questioners from the 1st century

Universal recognition of all--4th cent (by A.D 397)

Any Missing Books in the New Testament?

Question about the New Testament Canon

Initial Acceptance vs. Later DebateEventual Recognition of all 27 books

Rejection of all Non-canonical Books

Rejection of Non-Canonical NT Books


Listing of some Pseudepigraphal Books Gospel of Thomas (early 2nd cent)Gospel of Peter (2nd cent)Protevangelium of James (late 2nd cent)Gospel of the Egyptians (2nd cent)Gospel of Philip (2nd cent)Gospel of the Ebionites (2nd cent)Gospel of Judas and more….

Reasons for Rejecting Them


Reasons for Rejecting Them:1) False claim to be written by apostles and their associates who were long dead.2) False doctrine (Gnosticism, Ascetisicm, Docetism, Modalism, Adoptionism, etc.).3) False miracle claims about Jesus’ infancy (cf. Jn. 2:11).4) False (exaggerated) claims about biblical events.5) Church Fathers unanimously rejected them.

Some False Teachings in NT ApocryphaSome False Teachings in NT Apocrypha

• Gospel of Thomas: “This little child Jesus when he

was five year old was playing at the ford of a brook…. And having made soft clay, he fashioned thereof twelve sparrows…. Jesus clapped his hands together and cried out to the sparrows and said to them: Go! and the sparrows took their flight and went away chirping” (2:1-4).

• Gospel of Thomas: “This little child Jesus when he

was five year old was playing at the ford of a brook…. And having made soft clay, he fashioned thereof twelve sparrows…. Jesus clapped his hands together and cried out to the sparrows and said to them: Go! and the sparrows took their flight and went away chirping” (2:1-4).


• Gospel of Thomas:• “And when Jesus saw what was done, he

was wroth and said unto him: O evil ungodly, and foolish one, what hurt did the pools and waters do thee? Behold, now also thou shalt be withered like a tree, and shall not bear leaves, neither root nor fruit. And straightway that lad withered up wholly, but Jesus departed and went unto Joseph’s house” (3:2-3).

• Gospel of Thomas:• “And when Jesus saw what was done, he

was wroth and said unto him: O evil ungodly, and foolish one, what hurt did the pools and waters do thee? Behold, now also thou shalt be withered like a tree, and shall not bear leaves, neither root nor fruit. And straightway that lad withered up wholly, but Jesus departed and went unto Joseph’s house” (3:2-3).


• Gospel of the Ebionites:• “After the people were baptized, Jesus

also came and was baptized by John; and as he came up from the water, the heavens opened…and a voice from heaven saying: Thou art my believed Son, in thee I am well pleased: and again: This day have I begotten thee [as my Son]. And straightway there shone about the place a great light”.

• Gospel of the Ebionites:• “After the people were baptized, Jesus

also came and was baptized by John; and as he came up from the water, the heavens opened…and a voice from heaven saying: Thou art my believed Son, in thee I am well pleased: and again: This day have I begotten thee [as my Son]. And straightway there shone about the place a great light”.

False Teachings in Gospel of PeterFalse Teachings in Gospel of Peter• “…in the night in which the Lord’s day dawned, when the

soldiers, two by two in every watch, were keeping guard, there rang out a loud voice in heaven, and they saw the heavens opened and two men come down from there in a great brightness and draw nigh to the sepulchre. That stone which had been laid against the entrance to the sepulchre started of itself to roll and give way to the side…. And whilst they were relating what they has seen, they saw again three men come out from the sepulchre, and two of them sustaining the other, and a cross following them, and the heads of the two reaching to heaven, but that of him who was led of them by the hand overpassing the heavens. And they heard a voice out the heavens crying, “Thou has preached to them that sleep,” and from the cross there was heard the answer, “Yea” (9.35-10.42).

• “…in the night in which the Lord’s day dawned, when the soldiers, two by two in every watch, were keeping guard, there rang out a loud voice in heaven, and they saw the heavens opened and two men come down from there in a great brightness and draw nigh to the sepulchre. That stone which had been laid against the entrance to the sepulchre started of itself to roll and give way to the side…. And whilst they were relating what they has seen, they saw again three men come out from the sepulchre, and two of them sustaining the other, and a cross following them, and the heads of the two reaching to heaven, but that of him who was led of them by the hand overpassing the heavens. And they heard a voice out the heavens crying, “Thou has preached to them that sleep,” and from the cross there was heard the answer, “Yea” (9.35-10.42).

The Church Fathers Rejected Them

The Church Fathers Rejected Them

Eusebius (early church historian) called them “totally impious and absurd.”J. Donaldson (editor of Ante-Nicene Fathers wrote:“The predominant impression which they leave on our minds is a profound sense of the immeasurable superiority, the unapproachable simplicity and majesty, of the Canonical Writings.”Edwin Yamauchi concluded:“The extra-canonical literature, taken as a whole, manifests a surprising poverty. The bulk of it is legendary, and bears the clear mark of forgery.”


• Question about the New Testament Canon– Initial Acceptance vs. Later Debate

• Question about the New Testament Canon– Initial Acceptance vs. Later Debate




Books”



Books”

The So-called “Missing” NT BooksThe So-called “Missing” NT Books

• The So-called “First Corinthians”




• The So-called “Epistle of the Laodiceans”


• The So-called “Epistle of the Laodiceans”

The So-called “Missing” NT The So-called “Missing” NT

BooksBooks

The So-called “Missing” NT The So-called “Missing” NT

BooksBooks•The So-called “First Corinthians”

•The Charge: Paul wrote an earlier letter to

Corinth than the canonical 1 Corinthians

•Paul said:

“I wrote [in the past] to you in an epistle not to

company with fornicators” (1 Cor. 5:9).

•If so, then there is a missing letter to Corinth

•The So-called “First Corinthians”

•The Charge: Paul wrote an earlier letter to

Corinth than the canonical 1 Corinthians

•Paul said:

“I wrote [in the past] to you in an epistle not to

company with fornicators” (1 Cor. 5:9).

•If so, then there is a missing letter to Corinth

The So-called Missing Book of Corinthains

The So-called Missing Book of Corinthains

The Response: There are Three Possibilities


The So-called Missing Book of Corinthians



1) The book once existed but was not intended by God to be in the canon (not everything written by a true prophet was intended by God to be in the Bible (cf. Jn. 21:25).


1) The book once existed but was not intended by God to be in the canon (not everything written by a true prophet was intended by God to be in the Bible (cf. Jn. 21:25).




1) The book once existed but was not intended by God to be in the canon (not everything written by a true prophet was intended by God to be in the Bible (cf. Jn. 21:25).2) The book is really 2Cor. 10-13 (which was combined with 2Cor. 1-9) to form one book).


1) The book once existed but was not intended by God to be in the canon (not everything written by a true prophet was intended by God to be in the Bible (cf. Jn. 21:25).2) The book is really 2Cor. 10-13 (which was combined with 2Cor. 1-9) to form one book).




1) The book once existed but was not intended by God to be in the canon (not everything written by a true prophet was intended by God to be in the Bible (cf. Jn. 21:25).2) The book is really 2Cor. 10-13 (which was combined with 2Cor. 1-9) to form one book).3) He is referring to the very letter he is then writing.


1) The book once existed but was not intended by God to be in the canon (not everything written by a true prophet was intended by God to be in the Bible (cf. Jn. 21:25).2) The book is really 2Cor. 10-13 (which was combined with 2Cor. 1-9) to form one book).3) He is referring to the very letter he is then writing.

3. I Cor. 5:9 is Referring to Itself

3. I Cor. 5:9 is Referring to Itself

1) “Wrote” is not in the past tense.2) It is in the aorist tense which can mean “I am

now decisively writing to you” (called an “epistolary aorist”)

3) This is how Paul uses it elsewhere in 1 Corinthians (cf. 9:15).

4) The “now” (5:11) may not imply a “then” but can mean “rather” (RSV) or “actually” (NASB).

5) The reference to “letters” (in 2Cor. 10:10) need not mean he wrote many letters to them but that “what he writes” is weighty.


• The So-called “First

Corinthians”


Corinthians”



Corinthians”

• The So-called “Epistle of the

Laodiceans”


Corinthians”

• The So-called “Epistle of the

Laodiceans”

The So-called “Missing” NT Book: “The Epistle of the

Laodiceans”

The So-called “Missing” NT Book: “The Epistle of the

Laodiceans” The Charge: There is a missing epistle of Paul called “The

Epistle of the Laodiceans” referred to in Colossians 4:16. The Response:1. This is an incorrect rendering; it is “the letter from

Laodicea” which is given no name.2. Paul wrote Ephesians and Philemon at the same time,

and it could be one of them.3. Ephesians is most likely, since “in Ephesus” (1:1) is not in

some early manuscripts and it was probably an cyclical letter, since it lacks personal greetings to a city in which he spend three years of ministry (Acts 20:31).

The So-called “Missing” NT Book: “The Epistle of the Laodiceans”


• Response (cont.):– 4. No such book is ever cited by the early

Fathers.


Fathers.




Fathers. – 5. A 4th Cent book using this title is a clear

forgery (comprised mostly of Pauline phrases strung together with no definite connection).


Fathers. – 5. A 4th Cent book using this title is a clear

forgery (comprised mostly of Pauline phrases strung together with no definite connection).



• Any Missing Books in the OT?Any Missing Books in the OT? No!No!

• Any Missing Books in the NT? Any Missing Books in the NT? No!No!

• Is the Canon Closed? Yes!Is the Canon Closed? Yes!

Is The Canon Closed?Is The Canon Closed?

Evidence for an Affirmative Answer:

The Old Testament Canon is Closed






The Jews confirmed it



The Jews confirmed it




The Jews confirmed it In Josephus (who lists them

by name) In the Talmud (which also

lists them)

Jesus confirmed it by:Never citing any Apocryphal

book.By use of “Moses and

prophets” as

“all the scriptures” (Luke 24:27)



The Jews confirmed it In Josephus (who lists them

by name) In the Talmud (which also

lists them)

Jesus confirmed it by:Never citing any Apocryphal

book.By use of “Moses and

prophets” as

“all the scriptures” (Luke 24:27)

Is The Canon Closed?Is The Canon Closed?Evidence for an Affirmative Answer:


The Jews confirmed itJesus confirmed itThe Christian Church confirmed it by:

Exclusion by Jesus and apostles

Citations of books in the early Fathers

Quotations of verses in early Fathers

Translations of books in early Church



The Jews confirmed itJesus confirmed itThe Christian Church confirmed it by:

Exclusion by Jesus and apostles

Citations of books in the early Fathers

Quotations of verses in early Fathers

Translations of books in early Church

Is The Canon Closed?Is The Canon Closed?• Evidence for an Affirmative Answer:

– The New Testament Canon is Closed• Jesus promised it (Jn. 14:26; 16:13).•“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 things that I said to you” (Jn. 14:26).

•“However, when He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth” (Jn. 16:13)

• Evidence for an Affirmative Answer:– The New Testament Canon is Closed

• Jesus promised it (Jn. 14:26; 16:13).•“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 things that I said to you” (Jn. 14:26).

•“However, when He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth” (Jn. 16:13)


– The New Testament Canon is Closed• Jesus promised it (Jn. 14:26; 16:13).• The apostles confirmed it by writing inspired

books.


• Jesus promised it (Jn. 14:26; 16:13).• The apostles confirmed it by writing inspired

books.



books.• The New Testament is the only record of it.



books.• The New Testament is the only record of it.



books.• The New Testament is the only record of it.• The Christian Church confirmed it by

accepting it.




accepting it.

Any New Books Coming or Is The Canon Closed?Any New Books Coming or Is The Canon Closed?




accepting it..• The providence of God assures it.




accepting it..• The providence of God assures it.

The Providence of God Assures the Canon is

Closed


Closed

– God always completes what He begins (Phil. 1:6).


Closed

– God always completes what He begins (Phil. 1:6)

– He always preserves what He produces (2Pet. 3:13).


Closed

– God always completes what He begins (Phil. 1:6).– He always preserves what He produces (2Pet. 3:13).– Hence, He would not produce a book for the faith – and practice of all believers that He did not

preserve.– ……………………………………………………………………

………


Closed

– God always completes what He begins (Phil. 1:6)– He always preserves what He produces (2Pet. 3:13)– Hence, He would not produce a book for the faith – and practice of all believers that He did not

preserve – ……………………………………………………………………

………– “The grass withers, the flower fades, But the word

of our God stands forever” (Isa. 40:7).

ConclusionConclusion

The Word of God:Nothing more;Nothing less;Nothing else!

The Word of God:Nothing more;Nothing less;Nothing else!

QuestionsQuestions•Are there any missing verses?•Answer: Probably not

– We have 5,800 Greek mss.– We have 19,000 copies of early translations– We have 36,289 citations in the early

Fathers

•Every Verse in the NT is Here

•Are there any missing verses?•Answer: Probably not

– We have 5,800 Greek mss.– We have 19,000 copies of early translations– We have 36,289 citations in the early

Fathers

•Every Verse in the NT is Here

Sir Frederic Kenyon Wrote:– “The number of manuscripts of

the New Testament, of early translations form it, and of quotations from it in the oldest writers of the Church, is so large that it is practically certain that the true reading of every doubtful passage is preserved in some one or the other of these ancient authorities. This can be said of no other ancient book in the world” (Our Bible and the Ancient Manuscripts, 55).

QuestionsQuestions•What about the disputed verses?

– Such as:•Mark 16:9-20•John 8:1-11•1John 5:7

•Answer: – They are not missing; we have them.– They do not add any new truth, if present.– They do not take away any truth, if absent.

•What about the disputed verses?– Such as:

•Mark 16:9-20•John 8:1-11•1John 5:7

•Answer: – They are not missing; we have them.– They do not add any new truth, if present.– They do not take away any truth, if absent.

the bible is anything missing? norman l. geisler © 2013

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