Where did the Bible come from?
Today, we look at Part 2 of our study on a widely asked subject matter – the Bible.
People have many questions about the Bible. Questions like –
How did the Bible come about?
Who decided what books would be in the Bible?
How were the specific books chosen?
Have you ever asked those same questions? I know I did when I first started reading the Bible many years ago.
Let’s take a look at the second category for determining what books went into the Bible. Remember, we are taking our lesson from a book a pastor wrote titled, “God Wrote A Book.” In this book, the pastor answers the above questions.
In part one, we said there are four categories in which the available religious writings were placed according to scholars, and the first category was called the “Homolegomena,” which means “one word” or “agreement.” In other words, “Everyone accepted these books.”
Second category: Antilegomena
“These were books that were initially spoken against. People said, “We’re not sure about this one. Should it really be in the Bible?”
There were five Old Testament Antilegomena books.
People weren’t sure about the Song of Solomon at first because they thought it was too sensual.
Ecclesiastes was also doubted initially because people thought it was too cynical.
The book of Esther was questioned because it never mentions the name of God, though as people studied Esther, they came to see the thread of God’s sovereignty woven beautifully through its story.
The other two doubtful books were Proverbs and Ezekiel.
What about the New Testament?
The New Testament books initially included in the Antilegomena were Hebrews, James, 2 Peter, 2 and 3 John, Jude, and Revelation. Most of these books were initially doubted on the grounds of authorship.
For example, until the early church fathers were convinced that John really wrote 2 and 3 John, they weren’t willing to say that it was God’s Word. All of these books were initially questioned, but were eventually recognized as sacred Scripture.”
Next time we’re together, we’ll look at category #3 – Apocrypha.
Until then, remember to pick up your Bible and read it. It just may change your life!
Psalm 1:1-2, “Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of scoffers; but his delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law he meditates day and night.”
Blessings,
Where Did The Bible Come From?
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