Early Church Fathers - Lets be honest

  • Thread starter Thread starter ConfusedTim
  • Start date Start date
Status
Not open for further replies.
No one told Jerome or countless other theologians that the Cannon was settled. The fact that there remained discussion and dispute before Trent and none after is proof positive that the Apocrapha was not settled until Trent. It is that simple.
Nonsense. the Dc’s were placed in the Cannon in 382 AD and they were never removed from that date. That is the bottom line.
 
Statement B ignores the dispute between the Palestinian and Hellenized Jews.
Which one do you think is more true?

Is Protestantism based on being contrary to Catholicism or do you have a position to stand by?
The OP seems to want to know if it wasn’t the Catholic (as used by Ignatius of Antioch) Church that made the canon of the Bible (New and Old Testament) who was it?
 
It’s really not that complicated at all; Just open a Catholic bible, turn to the Old Testament table of contents and you are looking at the ancient Alexandria Canon from the B.C period.
But there is no direct evidence for such a canon.

Edwin
 
It doesn’t matter what books the Hebrews included or excluded.
The early Christians thought it did. They didn’t allow this to be the sole consideration, and at times it seems that it was important to them for apologetic reasons rather than for internal theological reasons. But they clearly didn’t think it “didn’t matter” at all.

Perhaps what the early Christians thought doesn’t matter to you either. In that case, stop claiming the word “Catholic” altogether.

Edwin
 
I understand history can be complicated and you seem to be nuancing quite a bit, but how would you order the following statements for how true they are?

A. The Catholic Church adapted the canon of the Septuagint (circa 2000BC) as their canon of the Old Testament.
There’s no evidence that there was a “canon of the Septuagint,” except perhaps for the Ethiopian Jews who I believe accept some of the deuterocanonicals. By a “canon” I mean a list given by some Jewish author.
B. The Catholic Church adapted their canon of the Old Testament based on the Septuagint.
I would probably agree with you that this is the truest of the four statements. Clearly when it came to differences within specific books between the LXX and the Hebrew, Christians tended to go with the LXX (see Origen on Susannah, for instance). It was trickier with regard to whole books that the Jews didn’t accept. Bear in mind that they didn’t have something called the “LXX” within two covers. They had a bunch of different Jewish books in Greek, some of which were recognized by contemporary Jews and some of which weren’t; some of which had Hebrew originals and some of which didn’t.

But there is a persistent tendency in the early lists to rule out all or most of the “deuterocanonicals,” sometimes along with some of the Hebrew books as well. By and large, the earliest lists seem more likely to exclude than to include the deuteros, if I remember rightly. That’s true right up to Athanasius. Of course, many of those same lists put question marks over some of the NT books as well. And it’s not entirely clear to me how much the lists we have match what was actually being read liturgically.
C. The Catholic Church added seven books to the Hebrew Canon (circa 90AD) in the 4th century.
Clearly that’s a flawed way of putting it, and D is worse.
D. The Catholic Church added seven books to the Hebrew Canon at the Council of Trent(16th century).
My answer would be B, A, C, D.
I would agree, but I don’t find any of them satisfactory.

Edwin
 
Yadi Yadi but it was not settled until Trent.
Using this reasoning, then you would have to believe that the doctrine of the Trinity was not settled until Nicea. Councils happen in response to questions, heresies, and for clarification. They do not occur to create doctrine. If you believe the later, then there are many more things for you to question other than the Canon of Sacred Scripture.

Some theologians questioned the inclusion of the DC but none of those opinions ever actually altered the contents of any authorized printing of the Bible. Jerome himself questioned it, yet when push came shove he put the DC into his own translation because this was the will of the Church. He noted his arguments, but when the Church spoke he obeyed.
 
Using this reasoning, then you would have to believe that the doctrine of the Trinity was not settled until Nicea.
More precisely, not until 1 Constantinople in 381. Isn’t that obviously the case? Why do you say that as if it would be an odd or untenable opinion?

Edwin
 
We aren’t just talking about any old manuscript of the LXX are we? We are talking about the one Jesus and the apostles supposedly used (your claim). The only manuscripts we have of the LXX are all Christian and date back no earlier than around the 4th century.

Gabriel of 12;
Council of Rabbis at Jamnia 99-100 Palestinian Canon in Hebrew

First Christian Canon of the Old Testament c. 100 Alexandrian Canon in Greek

Melito, Bishop of Sardis c. 170 Produced the first known Christian attempt at an Old Testament canon. His list uses the Septuagint order of books but contains only the Old Testament protocanonicals minus Esther.

Here is a nuetral historical fact site for what you search for here; In fact this short site may put the Protestant perspective in correct view of the biblical history without adhering to hear say about the bible facts.
st-takla.org/pub_Deuterocanon/Deuterocanon-Apocrypha_El-Asfar_El-Kanoneya_El-Tanya__0-index.html
 
No Gabe you have not done what was asked.
What you have done was copied and pasted a list of someone who has a very vivid imagination.

I dont have time to go through each and every citation you have given so Ill pick one the last.

Gabriel of 12;
Sorry I missed this post;
Here is a little more clarification Hisalone;

And here are some of the quotations
from the Deuterocanon in the New Testament

Matt. 2:16 - Herod’s decree of slaying innocent children was prophesied in Wis. 11:7 - slaying the holy innocents.

Matt. 6:19-20 - Jesus’ statement about laying up for yourselves treasure in heaven follows Sirach 29:11 - lay up your treasure.

Matt… 7:12 - Jesus’ golden rule “do unto others” is the converse of Tobit 4:15 - what you hate, do not do to others.

Matt. 7:16,20 - Jesus’ statement “you will know them by their fruits” follows Sirach 27:6 - the fruit discloses the cultivation.

Matt. 9:36 - the people were “like sheep without a shepherd” is same as Judith 11:19 - sheep without a shepherd.

Matt. 11:25 - Jesus’ description “Lord of heaven and earth” is the same as Tobit 7:18 - Lord of heaven and earth.

Matt. 12:42 - Jesus refers to the wisdom of Solomon which was recorded and made part of the deuterocanonical books.

Matt. 16:18 - Jesus’ reference to the “power of death” and “gates of Hades” references Wisdom 16:13.

Matt. 22:25; Mark 12:20; Luke 20:29 - Gospel writers refer to the canonicity of Tobit 3:8 and 7:11 regarding the seven brothers.

Matt. 24:15 - the “desolating sacrilege” Jesus refers to is also taken from 1 Macc. 1:54 and 2 Macc. 8:17.

Matt. 24:16 - let those “flee to the mountains” is taken from 1 Macc. 2:28.

Matt. 27:43 - if He is God’s Son, let God deliver him from His adversaries follows Wisdom 2:18.

Mark 4:5,16-17 - Jesus’ description of seeds falling on rocky ground and having no root follows Sirach 40:15.

Mark 9:48 - description of hell where their worm does not die and the fire is not quenched references Judith 16:17.

Luke 1:42 - Elizabeth’s declaration of Mary’s blessedness above all women follows Uzziah’s declaration in Judith 13:18.

Luke 1:52 - Mary’s magnificat addressing the mighty falling from their thrones and replaced by lowly follows Sirach 10:14.

Luke 2:29 - Simeon’s declaration that he is ready to die after seeing the Child Jesus follows Tobit 11:9.

Luke 13:29 - the Lord’s description of men coming from east and west to rejoice in God follows Baruch 4:37.

Luke 21:24 - Jesus’ usage of “fall by the edge of the sword” follows Sirach 28:18.

Luke 24:4 and Acts 1:10 - Luke’s description of the two men in dazzling apparel reminds us of 2 Macc. 3:26.

John 1:3 - all things were made through Him, the Word, follows Wisdom 9:1.

John 3:13 - who has ascended into heaven but He who descended from heaven references Baruch 3:29.

John 4:48; Acts 5:12; 15:12; 2 Cor. 12:12 - Jesus’, Luke’s and Paul’s usage of “signs and wonders” follows Wisdom 8:8.

John 5:18 - Jesus claiming that God is His Father follows Wisdom 2:16.

John 6:35-59 - Jesus’ Eucharistic discourse is foreshadowed in Sirach 24:21.

John 10:22 - the identification of the feast of the dedication is taken from 1 Macc. 4:59.

John 15:6 - branches that don’t bear fruit and are cut down follows Wis. 4:5 where branches are broken off.

Acts 1:15 - Luke’s reference to the 120 may be a reference to 1 Macc. 3:55 - leaders of tens / restoration of the twelve.

Acts 10:34; Rom. 2:11; Gal. 2:6 - Peter’s and Paul’s statement that God shows no partiality references Sirach 35:12.

Acts 17:29 - description of false gods as like gold and silver made by men follows Wisdom 13:10.
 
cont;
Rom 1:18-25 - Paul’s teaching on the knowledge of the Creator and the ignorance and sin of idolatry follows Wis. 13:1-10.

Rom. 1:20 - specifically, God’s existence being evident in nature follows Wis. 13:1.

Rom. 1:23 - the sin of worshipping mortal man, birds, animals and reptiles follows Wis. 11:15; 12:24-27; 13:10; 14:8.

Rom. 1:24-27 - this idolatry results in all kinds of sexual perversion which follows Wis. 14:12,24-27.

Rom. 4:17 - Abraham is a father of many nations follows Sirach 44:19.

Rom. 5:12 - description of death and sin entering into the world is similar to Wisdom 2:24.

Rom. 9:21 - usage of the potter and the clay, making two kinds of vessels follows Wisdom 15:7.

1 Cor. 2:16 - Paul’s question, “who has known the mind of the Lord?” references Wisdom 9:13.

1 Cor. 6:12-13; 10:23-26 - warning that, while all things are good, beware of gluttony, follows Sirach 36:18 and 37:28-30.

1 Cor. 8:5-6 - Paul acknowledging many “gods” but one Lord follows Wis. 13:3.

1 Cor. 10:1 - Paul’s description of our fathers being under the cloud passing through the sea refers to Wisdom 19:7.

1 Cor. 10:20 - what pagans sacrifice they offer to demons and not to God refers to Baruch 4:7.

1 Cor. 15:29 - if no expectation of resurrection, it would be foolish to be baptized on their behalf follows 2 Macc. 12:43-45.

Eph. 1:17 - Paul’s prayer for a “spirit of wisdom” follows the prayer for the spirit of wisdom in Wisdom 7:7.

Eph. 6:14 - Paul describing the breastplate of righteousness is the same as Wis. 5:18. See also Isaiah 59:17 and 1Thess. 5:8.

Eph. 6:13-17 - in fact, the whole discussion of armor, helmet, breastplate, sword, shield follows Wis. 5:17-20.

1 Tim. 6:15 - Paul’s description of God as Sovereign and King of kings is from 2 Macc. 12:15; 13:4.

2 Tim. 4:8 - Paul’s description of a crown of righteousness is similar to Wisdom 5:16.

Heb. 4:12 - Paul’s description of God’s word as a sword is similar to Wisdom 18:15.

Heb. 11:5 - Enoch being taken up is also referenced in Wis 4:10 and Sir 44:16. See also 2 Kings 2:1-13 & Sir 48:9 regarding Elijah.

Heb 11:35 - Paul teaches about the martyrdom of the mother and her sons described in 2 Macc. 6:18, 7:1-42.

Heb. 12:12 - the description “drooping hands” and “weak knees” comes from Sirach 25:23.

James 1:19 - let every man be quick to hear and slow to respond follows Sirach 5:11.

James 2:23 - it was reckoned to him as righteousness follows 1 Macc. 2:52 - it was reckoned to him as righteousness.

James 3:13 - James’ instruction to perform works in meekness follows Sirach 3:17.

James 5:3 - describing silver which rusts and laying up treasure follows Sirach 29:10-11.

James 5:6 - condemning and killing the “righteous man” follows Wisdom 2:10-20.

1 Peter 1:6-7 - Peter teaches about testing faith by purgatorial fire as described in Wisdom 3:5-6 and Sirach 2:5.

1 Peter 1:17 - God judging each one according to his deeds refers to Sirach 16:12 - God judges man according to his deeds.

2 Peter 2:7 - God’s rescue of a righteous man (Lot) is also described in Wisdom 10:6.

Rev. 1:18; Matt. 16:18 - power of life over death and gates of Hades follows Wis. 16:13.

Rev. 2:12 - reference to the two-edged sword is similar to the description of God’s Word in Wisdom 18:16.

Rev. 5:7 - God is described as seated on His throne, and this is the same description used in Sirach 1:8.

Rev. 8:3-4 - prayers of the saints presented to God by the hand of an angel follows Tobit 12:12,15.

Rev. 8:7 - raining of hail and fire to the earth follows Wisdom 16:22 and Sirach 39:29.

Rev. 9:3 - raining of locusts on the earth follows Wisdom 16:9.

Rev. 11:19 - the vision of the ark of the covenant (Mary) in a cloud of glory was prophesied in 2 Macc. 2:7.

Rev. 17:14 - description of God as King of kings follows 2 Macc. 13:4.

Rev. 19:1 - the cry “Hallelujah” at the coming of the new Jerusalem follows Tobit 13:18.

Rev. 19:11 - the description of the Lord on a white horse in the heavens follows 2 Macc. 3:25; 11:8.

Rev. 19:16 - description of our Lord as King of kings is taken from 2 Macc. 13:4.

Rev. 21:19 - the description of the new Jerusalem with precious stones is prophesied in Tobit 13:17.

Exodus 23:7 - do not slay the innocent and righteous - Dan. 13:53 - do not put to death an innocent and righteous person.

2 Tim. 3:16 - the inspired Scripture that Paul was referring to included the deuterocanonical texts that the Protestants removed. The books Baruch, Tobit, Maccabees, Judith, Sirach, Wisdom were all included in the Septuagint that Jesus and the apostles used.
 
Wisdom 2 is an especially compelling example, especially verses 12-24; these are as prophetically Messianic as anything we might find in the Psalms or Isaiah, and as Gabriel noted, a comparison of Matthew 27:43 and Wisdom 2:18 reveals more than a coincidental parallel.

I’m often surprised by the notion that Wisdom could somehow be non-canonical. As Jesus is the Divine Logos, the very Wisdom of God, this book is as much His Voice speaking to us from the scriptures as any red-lettered sentence contained within the Gospels.
 
Well that is a very sophisticated and well thought out response…I suppose you could stick your tongue out at me too, that would do as much to back your argument.:D.
Your post does not address any of the points made.
Was the Council of Rome a universal or provisional council?

Did you address that?
NO

Did the Council of Rome close or finalize the cannon so that the issue was settled within Catholicism?

Did you address that?
NO
 
Nonsense. the Dc’s were placed in the Cannon in 382 AD and they were never removed from that date. That is the bottom line.
No you are not correct.
Was there discussion and dispute over the Apocrapha after 382?
Yes there was much dispute therfore the cannon was not settled.
The list is long of Catholic Churchman that rejuected the Apocrapha after that date.
Is there a long list of say the doctrine of trinity? the deity of Christ? No
 
The early Christians thought it did. They didn’t allow this to be the sole consideration, and at times it seems that it was important to them for apologetic reasons rather than for internal theological reasons. But they clearly didn’t think it “didn’t matter” at all.

Perhaps what the early Christians thought doesn’t matter to you either. In that case, stop claiming the word “Catholic” altogether.

Edwin
👍
 
Using this reasoning, then you would have to believe that the doctrine of the Trinity was not settled until Nicea. Councils happen in response to questions, heresies, and for clarification. They do not occur to create doctrine. If you believe the later, then there are many more things for you to question other than the Canon of Sacred Scripture.

Some theologians questioned the inclusion of the DC but none of those opinions ever actually altered the contents of any authorized printing of the Bible. Jerome himself questioned it, yet when push came shove he put the DC into his own translation because this was the will of the Church. He noted his arguments, but when the Church spoke he obeyed.
Jerome included the Apocrapha upon the request of the pope. It was not “when the church spoke”.get your facts straight. Jerome would not have disagreed and put it in writting for all posterity to see if he belived the cannon was finalized in an earlier council.
Not only Jeorme but many others.
 
SemperReformada;5819417:
We aren’t just talking about any old manuscript of the LXX are we? We are talking about the one Jesus and the apostles supposedly used (your claim). The only manuscripts we have of the LXX are all Christian and date back no earlier than around the 4th century.

Gabriel of 12;
Council of Rabbis at Jamnia 99-100 Palestinian Canon in Hebrew

First Christian Canon of the Old Testament c. 100 Alexandrian Canon in Greek

Melito, Bishop of Sardis c. 170 Produced the first known Christian attempt at an Old Testament canon. His list uses the Septuagint order of books but contains only the Old Testament protocanonicals minus Esther.

Here is a nuetral historical fact site for what you search for here; In fact this short site may put the Protestant perspective in correct view of the biblical history without adhering to hear say about the bible facts.
st-takla.org/pub_Deuterocanon/Deuterocanon-Apocrypha_El-Asfar_El-Kanoneya_El-Tanya__0-index.html
From this site: (A Coptic)site
In The NJBC the authors maintain that there never was a council at Jamnia, but instead it was a well respected rabbinical school. “There is no evidence that any list of books was drawn up at Jamnia.” (p 1040).

The claim of Jamnia as the point in time when the Jews settled the Hebrew cannon is from a single unverifiable source.
 
Hisalone;5815538:
No Gabe you have not done what was asked.
What you have done was copied and pasted a list of someone who has a very vivid imagination.

I dont have time to go through each and every citation you have given so Ill pick one the last.

Gabriel of 12;
Sorry I missed this post;
Here is a little more clarification Hisalone;

And here are some of the quotations
from the Deuterocanon in the New Testament

Matt. 2:16 - Herod’s decree of slaying innocent children was prophesied in Wis. 11:7 - slaying the holy innocents.

.
Gabe can you stop it for a minute. I know you saw this list and assumed it to be correct and then copied and pasted it in rebutal of my post. Gabe believe me I cannot go verse by verse. I showed that the other list was faulty. This list is also faulty.

Wisdom11:4 When your people grew thirsty, they called to you, Lord, and you gave them water flowing out of solid rock.5 The disasters that punished the Egyptians saved your people when they were in trouble.
The Punishment of the Egyptians
6-8Because those enemies decreed that the babies of your people should be killed, you stirred up the sources of their everflowing river and made it foul with blood.
In the desert you let your people go thirsty, to give them a taste of how you had punished their enemies. And then, when they least expected it, you gave them plenty of water.

As you can see verse 7 is not talking about the holy innocents but the ruling of Pharoh that all male babies from the Hebrew women be killed.

Gabe there are those that have more time on their hands than I that have gone through these lists and have debunked each and every verse.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top