church-history

Historical studies on the development of Christian doctrine, early church writings, councils, and controversies.

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

Gregory of Nazianzus’ Biblical Canon Members Public

The following is an English translation of the works of Gregory of Nazianzus (fourth century AD) as listed in  Migne’s Patrologia Graeca, Volume 37, columns 471-474 (Carmina Dogmatica, Book I, Section I, Carmen XI). All bold and capital emphasis will be mine. Concerning the Genuine Books of Divinely Inspired

Sam Shamoun
Sam Shamoun
canonchurch-historyorthodoxy

The Old Testament of the Early Church Members Public

The following lengthy excerpt is taken from J. N. D. Kelly’s Early Christian Doctrines, published by Adam & Charles Black, London, Fourth Edition 1968, pp. 52-56. All bold emphasis will be mine. CHAPTER III THE HOLY SCRIPTURES 1. The Old Testament For the first hundred years, at least, of

Sam Shamoun
Sam Shamoun
canonchurch-historybible

Veneration of Icons: An Unbiblical Tradition or Biblical Truth? Members Public

God’s Word expressly condemns the practice of making idols or images of any creature for the express purpose of worshiping it as a god/goddess: “Now God spoke all these words, saying: I am the LORD your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of

Sam Shamoun
Sam Shamoun
orthodoxycatholicismbible

The Muhammadan Fraud That Was Ahmed Deedat: Which Bible? Members Public

The late Ahmed Deedat is viewed by Muslims as one of the greatest debaters against Christianity and a supposed Muslim scholar of the Bible. One of his main objections against the authority and authenticity of the Holy Bible had to with varying canons found among Protestant and Roman Catholic editions

Sam Shamoun
Sam Shamoun
islamchristianitybible
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