the new testament: is anything missing? davinci said “yes.”

The New Testament: Is Anything Missing?

The New Testament: Is Anything Missing?DaVinci Said “Yes.”DaVinci Said “Yes.”

“More than eighty gospels were considered for the New Testament, and yet only a few were chosen for inclusion--Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John among them”(p. 231).

“More than eighty gospels were considered for the New Testament, and yet only a few were chosen for inclusion--Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John among them”(p. 231).

Were There Other Gospels?Were There Other Gospels?

“In those trunks are reputed to be the Purist Documents--thousands of pages of unaltered, pre-Constantine documents, written by the early followers of Jesus, revering him as a wholly human teacher and prophet. Also rumored to be part of the treasure is the legendary ‘Q’ Document.… Allegedly, it is a book of Jesus’ teaching, possibly written in His own hand” (256).

“In those trunks are reputed to be the Purist Documents--thousands of pages of unaltered, pre-Constantine documents, written by the early followers of Jesus, revering him as a wholly human teacher and prophet. Also rumored to be part of the treasure is the legendary ‘Q’ Document.… Allegedly, it is a book of Jesus’ teaching, possibly written in His own hand” (256).

Was There a Gospel of “Q”Was There a Gospel of “Q”

“Constantine…commissioned and financed a new Bible, which omitted those gospels that spoke of Christ’s human traits and embellished those gospels that made him godlike. The earlier gospels were outlawed, gathered up, and burned (234-235).”

“Constantine…commissioned and financed a new Bible, which omitted those gospels that spoke of Christ’s human traits and embellished those gospels that made him godlike. The earlier gospels were outlawed, gathered up, and burned (234-235).”

Did Constantine Make the Canon?Did Constantine Make the Canon?

The Questions Raised by DaVinciThe Questions Raised by DaVinci

1. Were 80 Other Gospels Considered?

2. Were Any Other Gospels Authentic?

3. Was there an Original Gospel of “Q”?

4. Did the Earliest Gospels Teach Christ was only Human?

5. Did Constantine Form Our Bible?

1. Were 80 Other Gospels Considered?

2. Were Any Other Gospels Authentic?

3. Was there an Original Gospel of “Q”?

4. Did the Earliest Gospels Teach Christ was only Human?

5. Did Constantine Form Our Bible?

The Questions Raised by DaVinciThe Questions Raised by DaVinciI. Were 80 Other Gospels Considered? No!

A. There are only four from the first century (Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John).

B. The later apocryphal gospels (2nd-3rd cent) were never considered for the New Testament.

C. There were dozens of fragments but only about 15-20 apocryphal gospels of note such as:

The Gospel of Thomas The Gospel of the Ebionites

The Gospel of Peter The Gospel of the Egyptians

The Gospel of James The Gospel of Philip

The Gospel of Judas The Gospel according to Mary (Magdalene)

The Gospel of Truth The Gospel of the Hebrews

The Gospel of Matthias The Gospel of the Twelve

The Gospel of Eve The Gospel of Perfection

I. Were 80 Other Gospels Considered? No!

A. There are only four from the first century (Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John).

B. The later apocryphal gospels (2nd-3rd cent) were never considered for the New Testament.

C. There were dozens of fragments but only about 15-20 apocryphal gospels of note such as:

The Gospel of Thomas The Gospel of the Ebionites

The Gospel of Peter The Gospel of the Egyptians

The Gospel of James The Gospel of Philip

The Gospel of Judas The Gospel according to Mary (Magdalene)

The Gospel of Truth The Gospel of the Hebrews

The Gospel of Matthias The Gospel of the Twelve

The Gospel of Eve The Gospel of Perfection



II. Were Any Other Gospels Authentic? No!

A. They had false claims to be written by

apostles and others who were long dead.

B. They had false miracle claims about Jesus’ infancy (cf. John. 2:11).

C. They had false claims about biblical events.

D. They had false teachings throughout their pages.



A. They had false claims to be written by

apostles and others who were long dead.

B. They had false miracle claims about Jesus’ infancy (cf. John. 2:11).

C. They had false claims about biblical events.

D. They had false teachings throughout their pages.

1. Heresy On God: Pantheism1. Heresy On God: Pantheism “The Lord called out and cried, ‘My Power, O Power, thou hast

forsaken me’” (The Gospel of Peter, 5.15).

“Then he spoke to me and said: ‘I am thou and thou art I, and where thou art there am I, and I am sown in all things: and whence thou wilt, thou gatherest me, but when thou gatherest me, then gatherest thou thyself’” (The Gospel of Eve in Hennecke, NTA, 241).

[Jesus said] “I am the All; the All has emerged from me, and the All has attained to me. Cleave a piece of wood--I am there; lift a stone up--and you will find me there” (Gospel of Thomas, Logion 77).

“The Lord called out and cried, ‘My Power, O Power, thou hast forsaken me’” (The Gospel of Peter, 5.15).

“Then he spoke to me and said: ‘I am thou and thou art I, and where thou art there am I, and I am sown in all things: and whence thou wilt, thou gatherest me, but when thou gatherest me, then gatherest thou thyself’” (The Gospel of Eve in Hennecke, NTA, 241).

[Jesus said] “I am the All; the All has emerged from me, and the All has attained to me. Cleave a piece of wood--I am there; lift a stone up--and you will find me there” (Gospel of Thomas, Logion 77).

1. On God: Pantheism1. On God: Pantheism “Thus the Word of the Father proceeds forth

into the All, being the fruit of His heart and a form of His will. It upholds the All, it chooses it, and also takes (upon itself) the form of the All, purifying it and causing it to return to the Father and to the Mother, Jesus of the infinite gentleness. The father reveals His breast; but His breast is the Holy Spirit” (The Gospel of Truth, 23.33-25.3).

“Thus the Word of the Father proceeds forth into the All, being the fruit of His heart and a form of His will. It upholds the All, it chooses it, and also takes (upon itself) the form of the All, purifying it and causing it to return to the Father and to the Mother, Jesus of the infinite gentleness. The father reveals His breast; but His breast is the Holy Spirit” (The Gospel of Truth, 23.33-25.3).

1. On God: Feminism1. On God: Feminism “ I am (the Father); I am the Mother, I

(am the Son). I am the eternally Existing, the Unmixed, (since there is none who) mingles himself with him” (The Apocryphon of John, Codex 8, Hennecke, 322).

“ I am (the Father); I am the Mother, I (am the Son). I am the eternally Existing, the Unmixed, (since there is none who) mingles himself with him” (The Apocryphon of John, Codex 8, Hennecke, 322).

1. On God: Modalism1. On God: Modalism “[Jesus said] he had revealed to his

disciples that the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit are one and the same person” (The Gospel of the Egyptians in Hennecke NTA, 170).

“[Jesus said] he had revealed to his disciples that the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit are one and the same person” (The Gospel of the Egyptians in Hennecke NTA, 170).

2. On Creation: Emanationism2. On Creation: Emanationism

“All the emanations of the Father, then, are pleromas, and all His emanations have their root in Him who caused them all to grow from himself and gave to their destiny” (The Gospel of Truth 41.4-20).

“All the emanations of the Father, then, are pleromas, and all His emanations have their root in Him who caused them all to grow from himself and gave to their destiny” (The Gospel of Truth 41.4-20).

– Jesus said: “Blessed is he who was before he came into being” (The Gospel of Thomas, Logion 19).

– Jesus said: “Blessed is he who was before he came into being” (The Gospel of Thomas, Logion 19).

3. On the Soul: Preincarnationism3. On the Soul: Preincarnationism

4. On the Body: Gnosticism4. On the Body: Gnosticism “Wretched is the body which depends upon a

body and wretched is the soul which depends upon these two” (The Gospel of Thomas, Logion 87).

“Wretched is the body which depends upon a body and wretched is the soul which depends upon these two” (The Gospel of Thomas, Logion 87).

5. On Matter: Dualism5. On Matter: Dualism “By means of knowledge each will purify

himself from diversity into unity, devouring matter within him like a fire, darkness by light, death by life…. It is fitting for us to take thought above all that the house may be holy and silent for the Unity” (The Gospel of Truth (25.23-25).

“By means of knowledge each will purify himself from diversity into unity, devouring matter within him like a fire, darkness by light, death by life…. It is fitting for us to take thought above all that the house may be holy and silent for the Unity” (The Gospel of Truth (25.23-25).

6. On Human Nature: Perfectionism6. On Human Nature: Perfectionism “Your god…is within you. Let any one of

you who is strong enough among human beings bring out the perfect human and stand before my face” (The Gospel of Judas).

“Your god…is within you. Let any one of you who is strong enough among human beings bring out the perfect human and stand before my face” (The Gospel of Judas).

7. On Salvation: Gnosticism7. On Salvation: Gnosticism “What did come from the Father was

knowledge [gnosis].… As soon as men come to this knowledge, ‘oblivion’ (which is ignorance of God) will no longer exist, and this is the Gospel revealed to the perfect” (The Gospel of Truth 18:17-26).

“What did come from the Father was knowledge [gnosis].… As soon as men come to this knowledge, ‘oblivion’ (which is ignorance of God) will no longer exist, and this is the Gospel revealed to the perfect” (The Gospel of Truth 18:17-26).

7. On Salvation: Mysticism7. On Salvation: Mysticism “By means of knowledge each will purify

himself from diversity into unity, devouring matter within him like a fire, darkness by light, death by life…. It is fitting for us to take thought above all that the house may be holy and silent for the Unity” (The Gospel of Truth (25.23-25).

“By means of knowledge each will purify himself from diversity into unity, devouring matter within him like a fire, darkness by light, death by life…. It is fitting for us to take thought above all that the house may be holy and silent for the Unity” (The Gospel of Truth (25.23-25).

7. On Salvation: Anti-Female7. On Salvation: Anti-Female “See, I shall lead her, so that I will make

her male, that she too may become a living spirit, resembling you males. For every woman who makes herself male will enter the Kingdom of Heaven” (The Gospel of Thomas, Logion, 114).

“See, I shall lead her, so that I will make her male, that she too may become a living spirit, resembling you males. For every woman who makes herself male will enter the Kingdom of Heaven” (The Gospel of Thomas, Logion, 114).

8. On Jesus: Arianism8. On Jesus: Arianism

“The first [angel] is Seth, who is called Christ…. The fifth is Adonaios. These are five who ruled over the underworld, and first of all over chaos” (The Gospel of Judas).

“The first [angel] is Seth, who is called Christ…. The fifth is Adonaios. These are five who ruled over the underworld, and first of all over chaos” (The Gospel of Judas).

8. On Jesus: Arianism8. On Jesus: Arianism “Christ was not begotten of God the

Father, but created as one of the archangels…that he rules over the angels and all the creatures of the Almighty…” (Gospel of the Ebionites, Fragment 6).

“Christ was not begotten of God the Father, but created as one of the archangels…that he rules over the angels and all the creatures of the Almighty…” (Gospel of the Ebionites, Fragment 6).

9. On Jesus: Docetism9. On Jesus: Docetism “They brought the two malefactors and

crucified the Lord in the midst between them. But he held his peace, as if he felt no pain” (The Gospel of Peter 8.35-10:42).

“They brought the two malefactors and crucified the Lord in the midst between them. But he held his peace, as if he felt no pain” (The Gospel of Peter 8.35-10:42).

10. On Jesus’ Sonship: Adoptionism10. On Jesus’ Sonship: Adoptionism “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 beloved Son, in thee I am well pleased:’ and again: ‘This day have I begotten thee [as my Son]’” (The Gospel of the Ebionites in Hennecke, NTA, 155).

“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 beloved Son, in thee I am well pleased:’ and again: ‘This day have I begotten thee [as my Son]’” (The Gospel of the Ebionites in Hennecke, NTA, 155).

“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” (The Gospel of Thomas 2:1-4).

“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” (The Gospel of Thomas 2:1-4).

11. On Jesus’ Miracles: Mythologism11. On Jesus’ Miracles: Mythologism

11. On Jesus’ Miracles11. On Jesus’ Miracles “And Jesus said to him: ‘If you are indeed

a teacher, and if you know the letters well, tell me the meaning of the Alpha, and I will tell you the meaning of the Beta.’ And the teacher was annoyed and struck him on the head. And the child was hurt and cursed him, and he immediately fainted and fell to the ground on his face” (The Account of Thomas the Israelite Philosopher Concerning the Childhood of the Lord 14.1-3).

“And Jesus said to him: ‘If you are indeed

a teacher, and if you know the letters well, tell me the meaning of the Alpha, and I will tell you the meaning of the Beta.’ And the teacher was annoyed and struck him on the head. And the child was hurt and cursed him, and he immediately fainted and fell to the ground on his face” (The Account of Thomas the Israelite Philosopher Concerning the Childhood of the Lord 14.1-3).

11. On Jesus’ Miracles11. On Jesus’ Miracles [At the birth of Christ] “I looked up at the vault of

heaven, and saw it standing still and the birds of the heaven motionless…and those who put something to their mouth put nothing to their mouth, but all had their faces turned upwards. And behold sheep were being driven and yet they did not come forward, but stood still…. And I looked at the flow of the river, and saw the mouths of the kids over it and they did not drink. And then all at once everything went on its course again” (The Protevangelium of James 18.1).

[At the birth of Christ] “I looked up at the vault of heaven, and saw it standing still and the birds of the heaven motionless…and those who put something to their mouth put nothing to their mouth, but all had their faces turned upwards. And behold sheep were being driven and yet they did not come forward, but stood still…. And I looked at the flow of the river, and saw the mouths of the kids over it and they did not drink. And then all at once everything went on its course again” (The Protevangelium of James 18.1).

11. On Jesus’ Miracles11. On Jesus’ Miracles “But the son of Annas the scribe was standing there

with Joseph; and he took a branch of a willow and (with it) dispersed the water which Jesus had gathered together. When Jesus saw what he had done he was enraged and said to him: ‘You insolent, godless thunderhead, what harm did the pools and the water do to you? See now you also shall wither like a tree and shall bear neither leaves nor root nor fruit.’ And immediately that lad withered up completely” (The Account of Thomas the Israelite Philosopher 3.1-3).

“But the son of Annas the scribe was standing there with Joseph; and he took a branch of a willow and (with it) dispersed the water which Jesus had gathered together. When Jesus saw what he had done he was enraged and said to him: ‘You insolent, godless thunderhead, what harm did the pools and the water do to you? See now you also shall wither like a tree and shall bear neither leaves nor root nor fruit.’ And immediately that lad withered up completely” (The Account of Thomas the Israelite Philosopher 3.1-3).

11. On Jesus’ Resurrection 11. On Jesus’ Resurrection “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

“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’” (Gospel of Peter 9.35-10.42).

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’” (Gospel of Peter 9.35-10.42).

12. Jesus’ Disciples Blaspheme Him 12. Jesus’ Disciples Blaspheme Him “When he approached his disciples, gathered

together and seated and offering a prayer of thanksgiving over the bread, he laughed…. When his disciples heard this, they started getting angry and infuriated and began blaspheming against him in their hearts” (The Gospel of Judas).

“When he approached his disciples, gathered together and seated and offering a prayer of thanksgiving over the bread, he laughed…. When his disciples heard this, they started getting angry and infuriated and began blaspheming against him in their hearts” (The Gospel of Judas).

12. On Jesus’ Disciples: Mysticism 12. On Jesus’ Disciples: Mysticism “Step away from the others and I shall tell you

[Judas] the mysteries of the kingdom. For it is possible for you to reach it, but you will grieve a great deal”

“Look you have been told everything. Lift up your eyes and look at the cloud and the light within it and the stars surrounding it. The star that leads the way is your star” (Gospel of Judas).

Note: Jesus said “I spoke openly to the world…and in secret I have said nothing” (John 18:20).

“Step away from the others and I shall tell you [Judas] the mysteries of the kingdom. For it is possible for you to reach it, but you will grieve a great deal”

“Look you have been told everything. Lift up your eyes and look at the cloud and the light within it and the stars surrounding it. The star that leads the way is your star” (Gospel of Judas).

Note: Jesus said “I spoke openly to the world…and in secret I have said nothing” (John 18:20).

12. On Jesus’ Disciples: Mysticism 12. On Jesus’ Disciples: Mysticism “So wonderful was the teaching given that the

disciples believed that everything had been revealed to them, not realizing that this was but the lowest of a series of mysteries still more sublime. The supreme mystery, of which the disciples as yet are entirely ignorant, is to be revealed to them in the course of the twelfth and last year of the Saviour’s sojourn among His followers between the resurrection and the final Ascension…” (Pistis Sophia, in Hennecke, 253).

“So wonderful was the teaching given that the disciples believed that everything had been revealed to them, not realizing that this was but the lowest of a series of mysteries still more sublime. The supreme mystery, of which the disciples as yet are entirely ignorant, is to be revealed to them in the course of the twelfth and last year of the Saviour’s sojourn among His followers between the resurrection and the final Ascension…” (Pistis Sophia, in Hennecke, 253).

12. Jesus’ Love Mary Magdalene 12. Jesus’ Love Mary Magdalene “But if the Saviour hath made her [Mary

M.] worthy, who then art thou, that thou rejects her? Certainly the Saviour knows her surely enough. Therefore did he love her more than us” (The Gospel of Mary [Magdalene], in Hennecke, 343).

“But if the Saviour hath made her [Mary M.] worthy, who then art thou, that thou rejects her? Certainly the Saviour knows her surely enough. Therefore did he love her more than us” (The Gospel of Mary [Magdalene], in Hennecke, 343).

13. On Interpretation: Allegorism13. On Interpretation: Allegorism “And Jesus said to him: ‘If you are indeed

a teacher, and if you know the letters well, tell me the meaning of the Alpha, and I will tell you the meaning of the Beta” (The Account of Thomas the Israelite Philosopher Concerning the Childhood of the Lord 14.1-3).

“And Jesus said to him: ‘If you are indeed

a teacher, and if you know the letters well, tell me the meaning of the Alpha, and I will tell you the meaning of the Beta” (The Account of Thomas the Israelite Philosopher Concerning the Childhood of the Lord 14.1-3).

14. On Morality: Asceticism14. On Morality: Asceticism “And how could a charge not be rightly

brought against the Saviour, if he has transformed us and freed us from error, and delivered us from sexual [relations]?” (The Gospel of the Egyptians, Fragment (f)).

“And how could a charge not be rightly brought against the Saviour, if he has transformed us and freed us from error, and delivered us from sexual [relations]?” (The Gospel of the Egyptians, Fragment (f)).

New Testament vs. ApocryphaNew Testament vs. Apocrypha Irenaeus (2nd cent.): “Indeed, they have arrived at

such a pitch of audacity, as to entitle their comparatively recent writing, ‘the Gospel of Truth,’ though it agrees in nothing with the Gospels of the Apostles, so that they have really no Gospel, which is not full of blasphemy…. But that these Gospels [of the Apostles] alone are true and reliable, and admit neither an increase nor diminuition of the aforesaid number [four], I have proved by so many and such arguments” (AH, 3.11.9).

Irenaeus (2nd cent.): “Indeed, they have arrived at such a pitch of audacity, as to entitle their comparatively recent writing, ‘the Gospel of Truth,’ though it agrees in nothing with the Gospels of the Apostles, so that they have really no Gospel, which is not full of blasphemy…. But that these Gospels [of the Apostles] alone are true and reliable, and admit neither an increase nor diminuition of the aforesaid number [four], I have proved by so many and such arguments” (AH, 3.11.9).

Eusebius (early church historian): He called the apocphal books “totally impious and absurd” (Ecclesiatical History).

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” (cited by Yamauchi, ibid.).

Eusebius (early church historian): He called the apocphal books “totally impious and absurd” (Ecclesiatical History).

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” (cited by Yamauchi, ibid.).

Edwin Yamauchi: “The apocryphal gospels, even the earliest and soberest among them, can hardly compare with the canonical gospels. The former are all patently secondary and legendary or obviously slanted….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” (Yamauchi, “The Word from Nag Hammadi,” 22 (Christianity Today, 13 Jan,, 1978).

Edwin Yamauchi: “The apocryphal gospels, even the earliest and soberest among them, can hardly compare with the canonical gospels. The former are all patently secondary and legendary or obviously slanted….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” (Yamauchi, “The Word from Nag Hammadi,” 22 (Christianity Today, 13 Jan,, 1978).



III. Was there an Original Gospel of “Q”? No!






III. Was there an Original Gospel of “Q”? No!A. There are no manuscripts of “Q”--none!







B. There are no citations from “Q”--none!









C. It is a purely hypothetical source.









A. There are no manuscripts of “Q”--none!



D. The grounds for positing it are unproven.




A. There are no manuscripts of “Q”--none!



D. The grounds for positing it are unproven.

D. The grounds for positing Q are unproven D. The grounds for positing Q are unproven

The “Q” hypothesis supposed that:1. Mark wrote first (But the Fathers said Matthew did).

2. Matthew and Luke copied from Mark (but Matthew was an eyewitness and Luke is based on eyewitnesses--1:1-4).

3. What Matthew and Luke agreed on and was not in Mark came from “Q.” Not so. Luke came from eyewitness testimony (Lk.

1:1-4); Matthew was an eyewitness. So was John (19:35;21:24).

4. Jesus never claimed deity (Yes He did. See below).

5. Miracles are not credible (If God exists, miracles are possible).

6. Jesus’ body did not rise from the dead (Yes it did. See the end of every Gospel plus 1 Cor. 15).

The “Q” hypothesis supposed that:1. Mark wrote first (But the Fathers said Matthew did).

2. Matthew and Luke copied from Mark (but Matthew was an eyewitness and Luke is based on eyewitnesses--1:1-4).

3. What Matthew and Luke agreed on and was not in Mark came from “Q.” Not so. Luke came from eyewitness testimony (Lk.

1:1-4); Matthew was an eyewitness. So was John (19:35;21:24).

4. Jesus never claimed deity (Yes He did. See below).

5. Miracles are not credible (If God exists, miracles are possible).

6. Jesus’ body did not rise from the dead (Yes it did. See the end of every Gospel plus 1 Cor. 15).

Converted “Q” ScholarConverted “Q” Scholar1. She was a student of the

famous critic R. Bultmann.

2. She taught negative criticism in the German university system.

3. When converted to Christ, she trashed her books and went to the mission field.

4. She has since written several books defending the NT.

1. She was a student of the famous critic R. Bultmann.

2. She taught negative criticism in the German university system.

3. When converted to Christ, she trashed her books and went to the mission field.

4. She has since written several books defending the NT.




II. Was there an Original Gospel of “Q”? No!

III. Did the Earliest Gospels Teach Christ was only Human? No!

A. Jesus Claimed that He was God

B. Jesus’ Disciples Claimed He was God



II. Was there an Original Gospel of “Q”? No!

III. Did the Earliest Gospels Teach Christ was only Human? No!

A. Jesus Claimed that He was God

B. Jesus’ Disciples Claimed He was God

A. Jesus Claimed to be GodA. Jesus Claimed to be GodMark 2:5, 7: Jesus said, “‘Son, your sins are forgiven you.’ The

Scribes replied, ‘Why does this man blaspheme like this? Who can forgive sins but God alone.’”

Mark 14:61-61: The High Priest asked: “‘Are You the Christ, the Son of the Blessed?’ And Jesus said, ‘I am. And you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Power, and coming with the clouds of heaven.’”

Matthew 16:16-17: Peter said, “‘You are the Christ, the Son of the Living God.’ Jesus answered, ‘Blessed are you Simon Bar Jonah, for flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but My Father who is in heaven.’”

John 8:58: Jesus said, “Most assuredly, I say to you, ‘Before Abraham was, I AM’” cf. Ex. 3:14).

John 10:30-31: Jesus said, “‘I and the Father are one.’ Then the Jews took up stones again to stone Him.”

Mark 2:5, 7: Jesus said, “‘Son, your sins are forgiven you.’ The Scribes replied, ‘Why does this man blaspheme like this? Who can forgive sins but God alone.’”

Mark 14:61-61: The High Priest asked: “‘Are You the Christ, the Son of the Blessed?’ And Jesus said, ‘I am. And you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Power, and coming with the clouds of heaven.’”

Matthew 16:16-17: Peter said, “‘You are the Christ, the Son of the Living God.’ Jesus answered, ‘Blessed are you Simon Bar Jonah, for flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but My Father who is in heaven.’”

John 8:58: Jesus said, “Most assuredly, I say to you, ‘Before Abraham was, I AM’” cf. Ex. 3:14).

John 10:30-31: Jesus said, “‘I and the Father are one.’ Then the Jews took up stones again to stone Him.”

B. Jesus’ Disciples Claimed He was GodB. Jesus’ Disciples Claimed He was God Matt. 28:19: “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing

them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.”

John 20:28: “Thomas said to Him, ‘My Lord and my God!’”

Romans 9:5: “Christ who is over all, the eternally blessed God.”

Colossians 1: 16: “For by Him were all things created: things in heaven and things on earth.”

Colossians 2:9: “For in Him dwells all the fullness of the Godhead bodily.”

Titus 2:13: “Looking for the blessed hope and the glorious appearing of the great God and Savior Jesus Christ.”

Heb 1:6: “When God brings His firstborn into the world, he says, ‘Let all the angels of God worship Him.”

Heb 1:8: “But to the Son He says: ‘Your throne O God, is forever and ever.’”

Matt. 28:19: “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.”

John 20:28: “Thomas said to Him, ‘My Lord and my God!’”

Romans 9:5: “Christ who is over all, the eternally blessed God.”

Colossians 1: 16: “For by Him were all things created: things in heaven and things on earth.”

Colossians 2:9: “For in Him dwells all the fullness of the Godhead bodily.”

Titus 2:13: “Looking for the blessed hope and the glorious appearing of the great God and Savior Jesus Christ.”

Heb 1:6: “When God brings His firstborn into the world, he says, ‘Let all the angels of God worship Him.”

Heb 1:8: “But to the Son He says: ‘Your throne O God, is forever and ever.’”


1. Were 80 Other Gospels Considered? No.

2. Were Any Other Gospels Authentic? No.

3. Was there an Original Gospel of “Q”? No.

4. Did the Earliest Gospels Teach Christ was only Human? No.

5. Did Constantine Form Our Bible? No.

1. Were 80 Other Gospels Considered? No.

2. Were Any Other Gospels Authentic? No.

3. Was there an Original Gospel of “Q”? No.

4. Did the Earliest Gospels Teach Christ was only Human? No.

5. Did Constantine Form Our Bible? No.

“Constantine…commissioned and financed a new Bible, which omitted those gospels that spoke of Christ’s human traits and embellished those gospels that made him godlike. The earlier gospels were outlawed, gathered up, and burned” (DaVinci, 234-235).

“Constantine…commissioned and financed a new Bible, which omitted those gospels that spoke of Christ’s human traits and embellished those gospels that made him godlike. The earlier gospels were outlawed, gathered up, and burned” (DaVinci, 234-235).

Did Constantine Choose Them?Did Constantine Choose Them?

Who Chose The Books?

A. Historically: Constantine did not.

1. No Church Council spoke to this issue during his reign.

2. His Council was Nicea (325).

3. But it was on the Deity of Christ (not on the canon of Scripture).

4. The vote was not close (as DaVinci claimed). It was 316 to 2!



1. No Church Council spoke to this issue during his reign.

2. His Council was Nicea (325).

3. But it was on the Deity of Christ (not on the canon of Scripture).

4. The vote was not close (as DaVinci claimed). It was 316 to 2!

The Nicene Creed (325) The Nicene Creed (325) We believe [1] in one God [2], the Father, the Almighty, maker of heaven

and earth [3], of all that is, seen and unseen. We believe in one Lord, Jesus Christ, the only Son of God, eternally begotten of the Father, God from God, light from light, true God from true God, begotten, not made, of one Being with the Father [4]; through him all things were made. For us and for our salvation [5] he came down from heaven, was incarnate of the Holy Spirit and the Virgin Mary [6, 7] and became truly human [8] . For our sake he was crucified [9] under Pontius Pilate; he suffered death and was buried. On the third day he rose again [10] in accordance with the Scriptures [11]; he ascended into heaven [12] and is seated at the right hand of the Father [13]. He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead [14] , and his kingdom will have no end. We believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life, who proceeds from the Father [and the Son], who with the Father and the Son is worshiped and glorified [15], who has spoken through the prophets. We believe in one holy catholic and apostolic Church [16]. We acknowledge one baptism for the forgiveness of sins [17]. We look for the resurrection of the dead, and the life of the world to come. Amen.

17 beliefs are mentioned but not one word about the canon of the NT.

Which Books Belong in the NT?Which Books Belong in the NT? Who Chose The Books?


B. Theologically: A Distinction:

1. God determined which books should be in the Bible--by inspiring them.

2. People of God discovered which books were inspired by God.

–



B. Theologically: A Distinction:

1. God determined which books should be in the Bible--by inspiring them.

2. People of God discovered which books were inspired by God.

–

. On What Basis Were They Chosen? “God’s Fingerprints”

. On What Basis Were They Chosen? “God’s Fingerprints”a. Was it written by a prophet of God? (2Pet.

1:20-21; Mt. 5:17-18; Lk. 24:27)

b. Was he confirmed by an act of God? (Ex. 4:1-9; Jn. 3:2; Heb. 2:4; 2 Cor. 12:12)

c. Did it tell the truth about God? (Deut 13:1-3; 18:21-22; Acts 17:11; 1 Jn. 4:1-6)

d. Did it have the power of God? (Isa. 55:11; Heb. 4:12; Rom. 1:16; 2 Tim. 3:17)

e. Was it received by the people of God?

a. Was it written by a prophet of God? (2Pet. 1:20-21; Mt. 5:17-18; Lk. 24:27)

b. Was he confirmed by an act of God? (Ex. 4:1-9; Jn. 3:2; Heb. 2:4; 2 Cor. 12:12)

c. Did it tell the truth about God? (Deut 13:1-3; 18:21-22; Acts 17:11; 1 Jn. 4:1-6)

d. Did it have the power of God? (Isa. 55:11; Heb. 4:12; Rom. 1:16; 2 Tim. 3:17)

e. Was it received by the people of God?

When Were They Chosen? When Were They Chosen?

A. Initial Acceptance of NT by Many a. Before 100 A.D. as the books were written (Col. 4:16; 2

Peter 3:15-16; 1 Tim. 5:18). b. By 120 A.D. virtually all the NT was cited (all but a couple

one chapter books).

c. By 170 A.D. all the NT was recognized by the Church Fathers.

B. Eventual Recognition of NT by All: By 400 A.D. all the NT was accepted by the Church

Councils of Hippo (393) and Carthage (397).Note: Lack of citation does not mean exclusion.

A. Initial Acceptance of NT by Many a. Before 100 A.D. as the books were written (Col. 4:16; 2

Peter 3:15-16; 1 Tim. 5:18). b. By 120 A.D. virtually all the NT was cited (all but a couple

one chapter books).

c. By 170 A.D. all the NT was recognized by the Church Fathers.

B. Eventual Recognition of NT by All: By 400 A.D. all the NT was accepted by the Church

Councils of Hippo (393) and Carthage (397).Note: Lack of citation does not mean exclusion.

An Important Distinction An Important Distinction Initial Acceptance vs. Later Debate

Immediate Gradual

Local Churches All Churches

First Century By Fourth Century

Reasons for the later debate:

Initial Acceptance vs. Later Debate Immediate Gradual





Immediate Gradual




1. There were no Apostles alive to settle it.







Immediate Gradual





2. After the eyewitnesses died, it took longer to confirm the authorship of a book in other locations.








Immediate Gradual






3. False writings and a heretical canon (e.g. Marcion) stimulated the process to state an official list.







3. False writings and a heretical canon (e.g. Marcion) stimulated the process to state an official list.

Which Books Belong in the Bible?Which Books Belong in the Bible?

I. Who Chose The Books?

II. On What Basis?

III. When Were They Chosen?

IV. Is the NT Complete?

I. Who Chose The Books?

II. On What Basis?

III. When Were They Chosen?

IV. Is the NT Complete?

IV. Is The New Testament Complete? Yes.IV. Is The New Testament Complete? Yes.A. Jesus promised it. “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.” “However, when He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth” (Jn. 14:26; 16:13).

B. The apostles and associates confirmed it by writing 27 inspired books.

C. These 27 NT books are the only record of apostolic teachings. D. The Christian Church confirmed it by accepting the whole NT.

A. Jesus promised it. “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.” “However, when He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth” (Jn. 14:26; 16:13).

B. The apostles and associates confirmed it by writing 27 inspired books.

C. These 27 NT books are the only record of apostolic teachings. D. The Christian Church confirmed it by accepting the whole NT.

The Testimony of the FathersThe Testimony of the FathersEARLY CITATIONS OF THE NEW TESTAMENT

Writer Gospels Acts Pauline General Revelat- Epistles Epistles ion Totals

Justin Martyr 268 10 43 6 3 330 (266 allusions) Irenaeus 1,038 194 499 23 65 1,819 Clement Alex. 1,017 44 1,127 207 11 2,406 Origen 9,231 349 7,778 399 165 17,922 Tertullian 3,822 502 2,609 120 205 7,258 Hippolytus 734 42 387 27 188 1,378 Eusebius 3,258 211 1,592 88 27 5,176 Grand Totals 19,368 1,352 14,035 870 664 36,289

This includes every verse in the NT except 11!

IV. Is The New Testament Complete? Yes.IV. Is The New Testament Complete? Yes.A. 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.” “However, when He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth” (Jn. 14:26; 16:13).

B. The apostles confirmed it by writing 27 inspired books.

C. These 27 NT books are the only record of apostolic teachings.

D. The Christian Church confirmed it by accepting the NT.

E. The providence of God assures it because:

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

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

3. Hence, He would not produce a book for the faith and practice of the Church that He did not preserve for it.

A. 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.” “However, when He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth” (Jn. 14:26; 16:13).

B. The apostles confirmed it by writing 27 inspired books.

C. These 27 NT books are the only record of apostolic teachings.

D. The Christian Church confirmed it by accepting the NT.

E. The providence of God assures it because:

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

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

3. Hence, He would not produce a book for the faith and practice of the Church that He did not preserve for it.

“The grass withers, the flower fades, but the word of our God stands forever” (Isa. 40:7).

“The grass withers, the flower fades, but the word of our God stands forever” (Isa. 40:7).

the new testament: is anything missing? davinci said “yes.”

Documents

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