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Where We’ve Come From

Explore the origins of the New Testament, its dating, internal and external evidence, controversies addressed, and recognition by early Christians. Learn why a "New Testament" wasn't established immediately and how the canon of scripture was finalized. Discover the reliability and authority of the New Testament through manuscript evidence and textual criticism.

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Where We’ve Come From

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  1. Where We’ve Come From Week 3: How We Got the New Testament, Part 1

  2. Question • Are the very words of the Bible you hold in your hands inspired and inerrant? Or just the ideas behind the words?

  3. When was the New Testament written? • Between 45 AD and 95 AD • How do we date New Testament writings? • Internal Evidence. (What do its contents suggest?) • References to events in Acts? (e.g., Galatians 2?) • What controversies/heresies do they address? (e.g., Gnosticism) • Progression of church organization? (e.g., 1st Cor. vs. 2nd Tim.) • References to destruction of Jerusalem in 70 AD? (e.g., Mt., Heb.) • References to Roman persecutions? (e.g., 1st Pet. vs. Revelation) • External Evidence • All NT writings are cited/alluded to in Apostolic Fathers (ca. 96-150 AD).

  4. When was the New Testament written? Eph., Phil., Col., Luke/Acts, Titus, 1 Pet., Phile. James Galatians Matthew 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 Jesus death + res. John 1-3 John Revelation 1 & 2 Tim., Hebrews, 2 Pet., Jude 1 & 2 Thess. Mark Romans 1 & 2 Cor. Nero Persecution Domitian Persecution

  5. When did Christians begin to recognize the New Testament writings as God’s word? And we also thank God constantlyfor this, that when you received the word of God, which you heard from us, you accepted it not as the word of men but as what it really is, the word of God, which is at work in you believers. (1 Thess. 2:13)

  6. When did Christians begin to recognize the New Testament writings as God’s word? 15 And count the patience of our Lord as salvation, just as our beloved brother Paul also wrote to you according to the wisdom given him, 16 as he does in all his letters when he speaks in them of these matters. There are some things in them that are hard to understand, which the ignorant and unstable twist to their own destruction, as they do the other Scriptures. (2 Pet 3:15-16)

  7. When did Christians begin to recognize the New Testament writings as God’s word? 17Let the elders who rule well be considered worthy of double honor, especially those who labor in preaching and teaching. 18 For the Scripture says, “You shall not muzzle an ox when it treads out the grain,” and, “The laborer deserves his wages.” (1 Tim 5:17-18) • Deut. 25:4 “You shall not muzzle the ox when it is treading out the grain.” • Luke 10:7 “And remain in the same house, eating and drinking what they provide, for the laborer deserves his wages.”

  8. Why wasn’t a “New Testament” established immediately?

  9. Why wasn’t a “New Testament” established immediately? Romans Mark 1 & 2 Peter Luke 1 & Thess. Revelation Matt. 1 & 2 Corinth. James Hebrews

  10. When do we start seeing a “canon” emerge? • References to all NT books in the writings of the Apostolic Fathers (ca. 96-150 AD) • When does an official standard or list start to show up?

  11. When do we start seeing a “canon” emerge? • Marcion (85-160 AD) • Marcion’s Canon (ca. 145 AD) • Includes: (modified) Luke, Galatians, 1 & 2 Corinthians, Romans, 1 & 2 Thess., Ephesians, Colossians, Philippians, Philemon. • Excludes: Everything too Jewish.

  12. When do we start seeing a “canon” emerge? • Ireneaus’ Canon (ca. 180 AD) • Contains all the current books in our NT except for Philemon, 2 Peter, 2-3 John, and Hebrews. • It also contains a book called the Shepherd of Hermas.

  13. When do we start seeing a “canon” emerge? • The Muratorian Canon (ca. 170 AD) • Contains all the current books of our NT except 1 and 2 Peter and James. • Also contains 2 books called the Apocalypse of Peter (maybe) and the Wisdom of Solomon.

  14. When do we start seeing a “canon” emerge? • Origen’s Canon (ca. 250 AD) • Contains all 27 books of the New Testament.

  15. When is the canon finalized? • Late 300s. • The 39th Easter Letter of Athanasius of Alexandria (367 AD). • Contains all 27 books of our NT • This canon was later ratified in 393 AD at the Council of Hippo and 397 AD at the Council of Carthage.

  16. How did the church recognize which specific writings were supposed to be canonized? • Three “Criteria” for Recognition: • Apostolic Origin (or relation to an Apostle). • Apostolic Content (can’t contradict previous teaching recognized as apostolic). • Broad Recognition/Usage by the Church.

  17. Do we actually have any of the original NT writings? • Nope. • Is that a problem for viewing the NT as God’s word, reliable and authoritative? • Nope! • Our theology of Scriptural inspiration/authority. • More manuscript evidence for the NT than all other ancient books combined. • Textual criticism is extremely effective.

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