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the nature and authority of the Bible
Biblical authority and its importance
the nature and authority of the Bible
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HOW DO WE KNOW THE NEW TESTAMENT IS GOD'S WORD?
Introduction
There is much debate over the accuracy and the inerrancy of Scripture. Pertaining to this debate there exists an underlying question as to whether or not the New Testament is considered part of the canon or for that matter if it is actually given by the inspiration of God. How did the books that are in the New Testament get there? Who decided which books should be added or taken out? Do we have all the books that we should have? Many ask these questions, but Christians are ill equipped to give an answer. For centuries, Christians have claimed that they have the absolute truth, are saved only by faith, and claim the Scriptures as inspired by God. In spite of these claims many Christians are not able to clarify the origins of what they place all of their faith upon. The questions asked above are profoundly significant since they have eternal consequences. They have consequences because in order to trust and obey God there must be certainty in the accuracy of God’s Word. This testament will attempt to answer the question: How Do We Know The New Testament is God’s Word?
Definitions
In order to determine if the New Testament is God’s Word one must understand how the New Testament came together. It is very important to understand the terms, which make up the process and the physical existence of the New Testament and the Bible for that matter. When making reference to the Bible many people use different terms to mean the same thing.
Scripture
The word, scripture, means “writing” or “writing of truth”. The New Testament gives a very specific definition as well as purpose of Scripture. The Bible says that all Scripture is inspired by God and is good for c...
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... Spirit who inspired the writings.
BIBLIOGRAPHY
Carson, D. A., and Douglas J. Moo. 2005. An introduction to the new testament. Grand Rapids, Mich: Zondervan.
Keener, Craig S. 2003. The gospel of john: A commentary. Massachusetts: Hendrickson.
Law, David R. 2010. Inspiration. Bloomsbury Publishing.
Lea., Thomas D. and Black., David Alan. 2003. The New Testament It’s Background and Message. Nashville, Tennessee: Published by B&H Academic.
The Holy Bible, The New International Version, NIV Copyright 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Orr, James. 1956. The international standard bible encyclopedia. Grand Rapids, Mich: Wm. B. Eerdmans. http://www.internationalstandardbible.com/S/scripture.html
Smyth, Kevin. 1940. The criterion of new testament inspiration. Catholic Biblical Quarterly 2 : 229.
Walvoord, John F., Roy B. Zuck and Dallas Theological Seminary. The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures. Wheaton, IL: Victor Books, 1985.
The Bible: The Old Testament. The Norton Anthology of World Masterpieces. Ed. Sarah Lawall et al. Vol 1. 7th ed. New York: Norton, 1999. 47-97.
Bray, Gerald. Ancient Christian Commentary on Scripture. New Testament VI Romans. (Downers Grove, Illinois: InterVarsity Press, 1998)
...yne A. The HarperCollins Study Bible New Revised Standard Edition . New York: HarperCollins Publishers, 1993. 1645-1722. Print.
It was deemed that the books of the New Testament that are authentically apostolic in nature were included in the Bible. This strict appraisal process used by the church fathers to determine the legitimacy of certain books in the bible is the reason why scripture, once it becomes part of church canon it is incorruptible. Furthermore, because tradition stems from scriptural interpretation that it can be corruptible as it relies on the judgment of human beings, whose interpretations may be driven by internal
Metzger, B. (1997). The Canon of the New Testament: Its Origin, Development, and Significance. New York.
Collins, John J. A Short Introduction to the Hebrew Scriptures. Minneapolis, MN: Fortress Press, 2007.
The Holy Bible, King James Version. Cambridge Edition: 1769; King James Bible Online, 2015. Web. 28 June 2015.
Sakenfeld, Kathaine Doob, ed. The New Interpreter's Dictionary of the Bible: D-H: Volume 2. Vol. 2. Nashville, TN: Abingdon Press, 2007.
Bromiley, Geoffrey William, Fredrich, Gerhard, Kittel, Gerhard. “Theological Dictionary of the New Testament.” Struttgart, Germany. W. Kohlhammer Verlag. 1995. Print.
Wenham, G.J., Moyter, J.A., Carson, D.A. and France, R.T., eds. New Bible Commentary. Downers Grove: Intervarsity Press, 1998.
New Testament. Vol. 2. Edited by Gerhard Kittel. Translated by Geoffrey W. Bromiley. Grand Rapids, Mich.: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Co., 1964.
Holy Bible: Contemporary English Version. New York: American Bible Society, 1995. Print. (BS195 .C66 1995)
Carson, D, & Moo, D. (2005) An introduction to the New Testament. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan.
Answering these questions is the purpose of this essay. I begin by arguing that the Bible cannot be adequately understood independent of its historical context. I concede later that historical context alone however is insufficient, for the Bible is a living-breathing document as relevant to us today as it was the day it was scribed. I conclude we need both testimonies of God at work to fully appreciate how the Bible speaks to us.