This insistence the Catholic Church decided the Bible often comes up. I have finally done some research. The answer: No it didn’t.
Logically, you have been led to believe that someone else came up with and determined the canon of scripture. Who then were these early Christians that did so if not the Catholic Church? Can you name the names of any of these early Christians?
The Catholic Church first listed the canon of scripture in 382 ad at the Council of Rome. Below is what The Catholic Church declared to be scripture. Keep in mind that those meeting at the council were Catholic Bishops and there was not agreement as to what was scripture before this time. The Church discerned 27 books of the New Testament out of a couple of hundred writings. Many did not believe the Book of Hebrews or the Book of Revelation were inspired and inerrant as examples. The Church discerned 46 books of the Old Testament as inspired. Your bible only has 39 OT books and follows the OT scripture of the Pharisees and not what the apostles used. We know they used the Septuagint and the deuteurocanonicals were part of the Septuagint.
“Likewise it has been said: Now indeed we must treat of the divine Scriptures, what the universal Catholic Church accepts and what she ought to shun. The order of the Old Testament begins here: Genesis one book, Exodus one book, Leviticus one book, Numbers one book, Deuteronomy one book, Josue Nave one book, Judges one book, Ruth one book, Kings four books, Paralipomenon two books, Psalms one book, Solomon three books, Proverbs one book, Ecclesiastes one book, Canticle of Canticles one book, likewise Wisdom one book, Ecclesiasticus one book. Likewise the order of the Prophets. Isaias one book, Jeremias one book,with Ginoth, that is, with his lamentations, Ezechiel one book,Daniel one book, Osee one book, Micheas one book, Joel one book, Abdias one book, Jonas one book, Nahum one book, Habacuc one book, Sophonias one book, Aggeus one book, Zacharias one book, Malachias one book. Likewise the order of the histories. Job one book, Tobias one book, Esdras two books, Esther one book, Judith one book, Machabees two books. Likewise the order of the writings of the New and eternal Testament, which only the holy and Catholic Church supports. Of the Gospels, according to Matthew one book, according to Mark one book, according to Luke one book, according to John one book. The Epistles of Paul [the apostle] in number fourteen. To the Romans one, to the Corinthians two, to the Ephesians one, to the Thessalonians two, to the Galatians one, to the Philippians one, to the Colossians one, to Timothy two, to Titus one, to Philemon one, to the Hebrews one. Likewise the Apocalypse of John, one book. And the Acts of the Apostles one book. Likewise the canonical epistles in number seven. Of Peter the Apostle two epistles, of James the Apostle one epistle, of John the Apostle one epistle, of another John, the presbyter, two epistles, of Jude the Zealut, the Apostle one epistle.” Pope Damasus (regn. A.D. 366-384), Decree of the Council of Rome, The Canon of Scripture (A.D. 382).
This was then comfirmed at the Synod of Hippo, a meeting of Catholic Bishops.
“Besides the canonical Scriptures, nothing shall be read, in the church under the title of divine writings.’. The canonical books are:—Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, Deuteronomy, Joshua, Judges, Ruth, the four books of Kings, the two books of Paraleipomena (Chronicles), Job, the Psalms of David, the five books of Solomon, the twelve books of the (Minor) Prophets, Isaiah, Jeremiah, Daniel, Ezekiel, Tobias, Judith, Esther, two books of Esdras, two books of the Maccabees. The books of the New Testament are:—the four Gospels, the Acts of the Apostles, thirteen Epistles of S. Paul, one Epistle of S. Paul to the Hebrews, two Epistles of S. Peter, three Epistles of S. John, the Epistle of S. James, the Epistle of S. Jude, the Revelation of S. John. Concerning the confirmation of this canon, the transmarine Church shall be consulted.” Council of Hippo, Canon 36 (A.D. 393).
No dilemma. What books were inspired was already known.
Some yes but many no. There was inconsistency with over 200 writings being considered as scripture depending on locale. The Church wanting a universal set of readings to be used at Mass determined and brought forth a canon that become your bible.
Which Church was this Logically? The only one in existence at the time was…
The Catholic Church.
Here’s St Ignatius of Antioch again…a disciple of St John.
“See that ye all follow the bishop, even as Christ Jesus does the Father, and the presbytery as ye would the apostles. Do ye also reverence the deacons, as those that carry out the appointment of God. Let no man do anything connected with the Church without the bishop. Let that be deemed a proper Eucharist, which is [administered] either by the bishop, or by one to whom he has entrusted it. Wherever the bishop shall appear, there let the multitude also be; by the bishop, or by one to whom he has entrusted it.** Wherever the bishop shall appear, there let the multitude also be; even as, wherever Jesus Christ is, there is the Catholic Church.”** Ignatius of Antioch, Epistle to the Smyrneans, 8:2 (c. A.D. 110).
I’ll respond to the Trinity tomorrow, unless someone wants to sub for me. Bedtime for now.
Logically may indeed be as you say but he/she has not shown this behavior to this point and therefor is due charitable interactions. How else will he/she learn the truth about Christianity? I hope he/she stays with us asking and answering questions, at least until the behavior you describe becomes evident to me.