Poll on the Canon

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TriuneUnity

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Since this has been discussed a lot on the forum lately, mostly in regards to the deuterocanonicals, I thought I would post this poll to get an idea of where the participants on this forum stand exactly on how the canon of Scripture has come in to being.

Option 1: The authority of the Holy Scripture, because of which it ought to be believed and obeyed, does not depend upon the authority of any man or church, but entirely upon God, its author (who is truth itself); therefore it is to be received, because it is the Word of God.

Option 2: These books the church holds to be canonical not because she subsequently approved them by her authority after they had been composed by unaided human skill, nor simply because they contain revelation without error, but because, being written under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, they have God as their author, after which, they were committed to the church.

Option 3: The Roman Catholic Church, in virtue of her apostolic authority, determined the canon of Scripture. Sacred Scripture is inspired by God, is infallible, and without error. However, without the authority of the bishops of the church, we could not recognize which books are canonical or non-canonical. The Scriptures cannot canonize themselves, therefore, the canon is wholly dependent on the authority of the church.
 
Just moving this back to the top lol. I see 5 votes so far!! Come on, I really want to get more people’s opinion on this!
 
One and Two carry the same sentiment, in that Two can flow from One. One tells us that God establishes the authority of Scripture independent of any man or Church. Two tells us that, having inspired the authoritative Scriptures, God entrusted them to the Church. I like both, but I can only vote for one.
 
blazerdave said:
One and Two carry the same sentiment, in that Two can flow from One. One tells us that God establishes the authority of Scripture independent of any man or Church. Two tells us that, having inspired the authoritative Scriptures, God entrusted them to the Church. I like both, but I can only vote for one.
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Yes, I agree. They are both consistent with each other. The differences between one/two and three are clear and obvious, and reflect a completely different argument. Statements one and two both presuppose the same thing; that the canon of Scripture is ultimately determined by God and not by any earthly authority. Statement one reflects, as you said, that Scripture draws its authority solely from being a product of divinity, and statement two demonstrates that even though the Church receives and states that what it has been given is holy and divine, it does not rest the canonicity or holiness of the Scriptures upon its own authority. It presupposes that the canon existed before the Church said “this is the canon.”
 
On a note, I noticed so far, the 11 who have voted chose either statement 1 or statement 3. Does anyone care to share why they voted the way they did?
 
TriuneUnity said:
Since this has been discussed a lot on the forum lately, mostly in regards to the deuterocanonicals, I thought I would post this poll to get an idea of where the participants on this forum stand exactly on how the canon of Scripture has come in to being.

Option 1: The authority of the Holy Scripture, because of which it ought to be believed and obeyed, does not depend upon the authority of any man or church, but entirely upon God, its author (who is truth itself); therefore it is to be received, because it is the Word of God.

Option 2: These books the church holds to be canonical not because she subsequently approved them by her authority after they had been composed by unaided human skill, nor simply because they contain revelation without error, but because, being written under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, they have God as their author, after which, they were committed to the church.

Option 3: The Roman Catholic Church, in virtue of her apostolic authority, determined the canon of Scripture. Sacred Scripture is inspired by God, is infallible, and without error. However, without the authority of the bishops of the church, we could not recognize which books are canonical or non-canonical. The Scriptures cannot canonize themselves, therefore, the canon is wholly dependent on the authority of the church.
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I voted option 1, I still lean Protestant 🙂
 
TriuneUnity said:
Since this has been discussed a lot on the forum lately, mostly in regards to the deuterocanonicals, I thought I would post this poll to get an idea of where the participants on this forum stand exactly on how the canon of Scripture has come in to being.

Option 1: The authority of the Holy Scripture, because of which it ought to be believed and obeyed, does not depend upon the authority of any man or church, but entirely upon God, its author (who is truth itself); therefore it is to be received, because it is the Word of God.

Option 2: These books the church holds to be canonical not because she subsequently approved them by her authority after they had been composed by unaided human skill, nor simply because they contain revelation without error, but because, being written under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, they have God as their author, after which, they were committed to the church.

Option 3: The Roman Catholic Church, in virtue of her apostolic authority, determined the canon of Scripture. Sacred Scripture is inspired by God, is infallible, and without error. However, without the authority of the bishops of the church, we could not recognize which books are canonical or non-canonical. The Scriptures cannot canonize themselves, therefore, the canon is wholly dependent on the authority of the church.
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I couldn’t decide between 1 and 2. So, I voted for 2 for 2 reasons:
  1. nobody had yet. 😃
  2. I have a leaning toward the importance of the Church in this matter, that is not directly expressed in choice 1, if that makes sense.
Jon
 
JonNC said:
I couldn’t decide between 1 and 2. So, I voted for 2 for 2 reasons:
  1. nobody had yet. 😃
  2. I have a leaning toward the importance of the Church in this matter, that is not directly expressed in choice 1, if that makes sense.
Jon
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LOL good enough reason as any, Jon!
 
JonNC said:
I couldn’t decide between 1 and 2. So, I voted for 2 for 2 reasons:
  1. nobody had yet. 😃
  2. I have a leaning toward the importance of the Church in this matter, that is not directly expressed in choice 1, if that makes sense.
Jon
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😃 Very good, Jon
 
JonNC said:
What are your views on choice 2, Matthew, and the role of the Church?

Jon
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I would probably say that of the three choices, choice number 2 is probably the most sound. While statement 1 is also correct, in that the authority of Scripture is authoritative and canonical only because it is inspired… it fails to include the church as being that which the Scriptures were written to. Therefore, being that the church and only the church hears the voice of its Shepherd, the church and only the church, will be able to recognize His voice. So, the church is essential because it is the recipient, and Scripture doesn’t benefit anyone unless someone receives it. So, as statement 2 indicates, the church has no authority to decide the canon, because God is the author and only He is fit to decide the canon, but the church does publicly announce the Scriptures and recognizes the Scriptures.

Choice number 3, for the above mentioned reasons, fails to recognize the differences that statement 2 does.
 
TriuneUnity said:
I would probably say that of the three choices, choice number 2 is probably the most sound. While statement 1 is also correct, in that the authority of Scripture is authoritative and canonical only because it is inspired… it fails to include the church as being that which the Scriptures were written to. Therefore, being that the church and only the church hears the voice of its Shepherd, the church and only the church, will be able to recognize His voice. So, the church is essential because it is the recipient, and Scripture doesn’t benefit anyone unless someone receives it. So, as statement 2 indicates, the church has no authority to decide the canon, because God is the author and only He is fit to decide the canon, but the church does publicly announce the Scriptures and recognizes the Scriptures.

Choice number 3, for the above mentioned reasons, fails to recognize the differences that statement 2 does.
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I agree, and what you said about choice 1 is exactly why I didn’t vote for it. I wonder how lutherans, generally, would vote.

Jon
 
JonNC said:
I agree, and what you said about choice 1 is exactly why I didn’t vote for it. I wonder how lutherans, generally, would vote.

Jon
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My gut instinct is they would vote for option 1.
 
TriuneUnity said:
Any particular reason, Catholic? How do you view the relationship of the church to your viewpoint? Meaning, where do you see the church in the issue of canon?
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That’s a good question and one I haven’t really thought about. I don’t think any church put the Bible together, I do believe that God though the Holy Spirit inspired some as to what books go into making Scripture and that’s were we are at today.
 
Catholicnow said:
That’s a good question and one I haven’t really thought about. I don’t think any church put the Bible together, I do believe that God though the Holy Spirit inspired some as to what books go into making Scripture and that’s were we are at today.
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I think you’re the first Catholic I’ve talked with on this forum who has said that. You learn something new everyday, praise God!
 
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