How Do You Know Which Books Go In Your Bible?

  • Thread starter Thread starter Fidelis
  • Start date Start date
Status
Not open for further replies.
F

Fidelis

Guest
🙂 This question is directed at non-Catholic Christians.

How can you be sure that the books contained in the Bible you use are inspired? Who decided these books should go in and not others? How did you arrive at this decision: do you take it at face value, or did you personally do a tremendous amount of research on your own. And if the last, how can you be sure you are right and by what authority are you able to do so?

Please beleive me when I say that I’m not trying to cause trouble in asking this, but I would sincerely like to know what you would say if asked this. I don’t like to contest straw-men when I discuss this topic, so I really want to know your rationale so I can articulate it to others in contrasting it with the Catholic belief.

No copying and pasting or outside links, please. And I’d prefer answers that are short and conversational.

Thanks.🙂
 
Fidelis said:
🙂 This question is directed at non-Catholic Christians.

How can you be sure that the books contained in the Bible you use are inspired? Who decided these books should go in and not others? How did you arrive at this decision: do you take it at face value, or did you personally do a tremendous amount of research on your own. And if the last, how can you be sure you are right and by what authority are you able to do so?

Please beleive me when I say that I’m not trying to cause trouble in asking this, but I would sincerely like to know what you would say if asked this. I don’t like to contest straw-men when I discuss this topic, so I really want to know your rationale so I can articulate it to others in contrasting it with the Catholic belief.

No copying and pasting or outside links, please. And I’d prefer answers that are short and conversational.

Thanks.🙂
Click to expand...
I’ll give you a boost here and say that eleven years ago I (being still Baptist) would have looked at you with mouth agape and and a blank stare and mumbled a reply which probably would have sounded something like:
Mmmmmph uhhhh whuuuh? 😃

Peace,
+N
 
frnate said:
I’ll give you a boost here and say that eleven years ago I (being still Baptist) would have looked at you with mouth agape and and a blank stare and mumbled a reply which probably would have sounded something like:
Mmmmmph uhhhh whuuuh? 😃

Peace,
+N
Click to expand...
I was a Baptist myself until just a few years ago and I think I would have had the same reaction. If forced to answer I would have had to say “I don’t really know.”
 
I know because the Holy Spirit tells me so, a sort of burning in the bosom feeling.
And also my pastor who holds a masters in christian history, told me so.
 
savedsinner said:
I know because the Holy Spirit tells me so, a sort of burning in the bosom feeling.
And also my pastor who holds a masters in christian history, told me so.
Click to expand...
The Catholic Church guided by the Holy Spirit gave the world The Bible.
 
Thanks for the (name removed by moderator)ut, guys.

The lack of answers to this question by non-Catholic Christians sort of answers my question, anyway. Highly indicative, I’d say.
 
thistle said:
The Catholic Church guided by the Holy Spirit gave the world The Bible.
Click to expand...
No doubt the work was of the Holy Spirit.

But first off, we all know these scriptures, OT, Gospels, Epistles, Revelation have been Israel’s leading export to the world since their creation.

My question is- If the church then was the RCC we know of today, is there any document from that time stating which successor to Peter was seated at the time of canonization of scripture? What about any comments from the successor to Peter about what transpired in these councils? Or what about commentray from others on what role the successor to Peter, the Pope, played in canonization of scripture.
 
Lev23 said:
My question is- If the church then was the RCC we know of today, is there any document from that time stating which successor to Peter was seated at the time of canonization of scripture? What about any comments from the successor to Peter about what transpired in these councils? Or what about commentray from others on what role the successor to Peter, the Pope, played in canonization of scripture.
Click to expand...
Amazingly enough the answers to all of your questions are yes.

Do a search on Early Church Fathers right here on Catholic Answers. They’re not all on the same page, so you’ll have to take a few minutes to find the answer to each question. Here’s a link to OT canon, which is great for non-Catholics to read.

catholic.com/library/Old_Testament_Canon.asp
 
Lev23 said:
No doubt the work was of the Holy Spirit.
Click to expand...
That is not in dispute. In retrospect, ALL Christians affirm the inspiration of the Scriptures. The question remains unanswered by Protestants: How do you know which books are inspired and belong in the canon?
But first off, we all know these scriptures, OT, Gospels, Epistles, Revelation have been Israel’s leading export to the world since their creation.
Click to expand...
Also not in dispute. But how do Protestants know these books and not others are inspired and belong in the canon?
 
Lev23 said:
No doubt the work was of the Holy Spirit.

But first off, we all know these scriptures, OT, Gospels, Epistles, Revelation have been Israel’s leading export to the world since their creation.

My question is- If the church then was the RCC we know of today, is there any document from that time stating which successor to Peter was seated at the time of canonization of scripture? What about any comments from the successor to Peter about what transpired in these councils? Or what about commentray from others on what role the successor to Peter, the Pope, played in canonization of scripture.
Click to expand...
I’m probably just stupid but I don’t quite catch the drift of your question. Are you asking which Council ruled on the the Canon and who was Pope at that time and is there a Council document on the books to go in the Canon?
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top