bible

In-depth examinations of Scripture, textual reliability, theological themes, and defense of biblical doctrine.

2 Maccabees and The Canon of Scripture Members Public

In this post I am going to raise the question of whether Roman Catholics should consider 2 Maccabees as inspired scripture, and therefore a part of the Old Testament canon. I base this on the following section, which mentions Judas Maccabees offering sacrifices and prayers for Jewish soldiers who were

Sam Shamoun
Sam Shamoun
maccabeesapocryphacanon

Athanasius’ Biblical Canon Members Public

The following is taken from Athanasius’ 39th festal letter written at 367 AD (https://www.newadvent.org/fathers/2806039.htm). (For 367.) Of the particular books and their number, which are accepted by the Church. From the thirty-ninth Letter of Holy Athanasius, Bishop of Alexandria, on the Paschal festival; wherein

Sam Shamoun
Sam Shamoun
canonchurch-historybible

The Biblical Canon of the 5th-6th Centuries Members Public

The following excerpt is taken from William Webster’s article The Canon: Why the Roman Catholic Arguments for the Canon are Spurious (https://christiantruth.com/articles/articles-roman-catholicism/canon/). All bold and underline emphasis mine. Jerome’s views are as follows: These instances have been just touched upon by me (the

Sam Shamoun
Sam Shamoun
canonbiblechurch-history

In Defense of Mark 1:2’s “In the Prophets” Members Public

The following is taken from James E. Snapp Jr.’s blog (http://reclaimingthemind.blogspot.com/2010/06/defense-of-in-prophets-in-mark-12.html). How many times did Mark, as he narrated events, cite an Old Testament prophet by name? The answer is either “Never” or “Once, in 1:2.” The Byzantine Text in Mark

Sam Shamoun
Sam Shamoun
biblegospelisaiah

Christian Apocryphal Writings Members Public

In this post, I am going to mention some of the books that specific early Christian writers deemed to be inspired and/or canonical. I also include Enoch in this list since this is a writing that has been cherished by Christians for the most part, not the Jews. All

Sam Shamoun
Sam Shamoun
apocryphacanonchurch-history

The Synod of Laodicea’s Biblical Canon Members Public

The synod or council of Laodicea has been dated anywhere from 343 to 381 AD. It contains the list of biblical books that were deemed to be canonical, and therefore the only authoritative writings that could be read in the churches. Canon 59 No psalms composed by private individuals nor

Sam Shamoun
Sam Shamoun
canonchurch-historybible

The Biblical Books of the Apostolic Canons Members Public

The following list of biblical books is taken from the Apostolic Canons (https://www.newadvent.org/fathers/3820.htm); which is believed to be a fourth-century Syrian Christian text. All bold emphasis is mine. Canon 60 If any one reads publicly in the church the falsely inscribed books of impious

Sam Shamoun
Sam Shamoun
canonbiblechurch-history

John of Damascus’ Biblical Canon Members Public

The following is an excerpt from the writings of the eighth-century church father John of Damascus who delineates the list of books that the church at that time, particularly the churches in the east, accepted as canonical and authoritative. All bold and capital emphasis will be mine: Chapter 17. Concerning

Sam Shamoun
Sam Shamoun
canonorthodoxychurch-history
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