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What does the term “canon” mean when we are talking about the Bible?
The canon is the collection of books that the Christian church recognizes as Scripture. The word refers to a standard or rule by which writings are recognized as authoritative.
Why is it important to ask whether the books in our New Testament are actually the books that should be there?
Because before we can trust what the Bible teaches, we need to know that we have the right collection of writings. If important books were left out or books that should not be included were added, it would affect our confidence in the New Testament.
What criteria or characteristics did early Christians use when recognizing which writings should be considered Scripture?
Early Christians considered factors such as apostolic authority or connection to the apostles, consistency with the teaching already received, widespread acceptance among Christian communities, and the historical connection of the writing to the earliest Christian witnesses.
Why was apostolic authority or a close connection to the apostles important in recognizing a New Testament book?
The apostles were eyewitnesses or authoritative representatives of Jesus who had been commissioned to teach His message. A writing connected to the apostles therefore had a strong claim to accurately communicate the teachings of Jesus and the earliest Christian community.
What is the Gospel of Thomas, and how is it different from the four canonical Gospels?
The Gospel of Thomas is an early Christian-related writing containing a collection of sayings attributed to Jesus. It is different from Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John and was not recognized as one of the canonical Gospels. Its origins and teachings differ significantly from the canonical Gospel tradition.
What were the Nag Hammadi discoveries, and why are they important when discussing claims about “lost” or “suppressed” gospels?
The Nag Hammadi discoveries were a collection of ancient writings discovered in Egypt in 1945. They included writings associated with various alternative Christian movements, including the Gospel of Thomas. They are important because they provide actual ancient evidence about writings that are sometimes described as “lost” or “suppressed,” allowing historians to examine what these writings actually teach.
Did the early church simply vote on which books should be included in the Bible?
Explain what Wes says about how the canon was recognized. Answer: No. The process was not simply a matter of a later church council voting books into existence. The early Christian community recognized writings that already had authority and were being used and accepted by Christians, particularly writings connected to the apostles and the earliest Christian tradition.
What evidence or reasoning presented in the video gives Christians confidence that the 27 books of the New Testament are the right books?
The New Testament books have strong connections to the apostles and earliest Christian witnesses, were widely received by Christian communities, and fit within the teaching and tradition handed down from the earliest Christians. The canon was recognized over time rather than suddenly invented by one person or council.
What is an “autograph” or “autographic manuscript,” and why don't we possess the original manuscripts of the New Testament books today?
An autograph is the original document actually written by the biblical author or under the author's direction. We do not possess these originals because ancient documents were fragile and deteriorated over time. Instead, we have thousands of later handwritten copies.
Why do we have so many different handwritten copies of the New Testament?
Early Christians copied and distributed the writings so that Christian communities in different locations could read and use them. Over generations, these copies produced a large manuscript tradition.
What is a textual variant, and why do textual variants exist among New Testament manuscripts?
A textual variant is a difference between manuscripts. Variants occurred because the New Testament was copied by hand for centuries. Most are relatively minor differences such as spelling, word order, or small copying mistakes.
Why can having a large number of manuscripts actually help scholars determine what the original authors wrote?
The more manuscripts scholars have, especially manuscripts from different places and periods, the more evidence they can compare. By comparing manuscripts, scholars can identify copying errors and determine which wording most likely goes back to the original text.
What is textual criticism, and what is its purpose when studying the New Testament?
Textual criticism is the process of comparing available manuscripts and other ancient evidence to determine, as accurately as possible, what the original authors wrote.
What is the difference between saying “there are differences among the manuscripts” and saying “we cannot know what the original authors wrote”? How does Wes address this distinction?
The existence of differences between manuscripts does not automatically mean that the original wording is unknowable. Because scholars have many manuscripts to compare, textual criticism allows them to identify copying differences and determine the original wording with a high degree of confidence in most places.
What is the common claim about the Council of Nicaea that Wes Huff is responding to in this episode?
A common claim is that the Council of Nicaea in AD 325 created Christianity as we know it, decided which books belonged in the Bible, and/or invented the belief that Jesus was divine.
When and where did the Council of Nicaea take place?
The Council of Nicaea took place in AD 325 at Nicaea, in what is now modern-day Turkey.
What was the primary theological issue being debated at the Council of Nicaea?
The major issue was the nature and identity of Jesus Christ, particularly whether the Son was truly divine and how the Son related to God the Father.
Did the Council of Nicaea decide which books belonged in the Bible? Explain what Wes says about this claim.
No. The Council of Nicaea was primarily concerned with the controversy over the nature of Christ. It did not create the New Testament canon or simply decide which books would become the Bible.
Did Christians first begin believing that Jesus was divine because of the Council of Nicaea? What evidence does Wes give concerning Christian belief about Jesus before AD 325?
No. Christian belief in Jesus' divine identity existed long before AD 325. Early Christian writings and statements about Jesus from the first and second centuries demonstrate that Christians were already worshiping Jesus and describing Him in divine terms before the Council of Nicaea.
What is the Nicene Creed, and what central belief about Jesus did it affirm?
The Nicene Creed is a statement of Christian belief produced in response to the controversy at Nicaea. It affirmed that Jesus Christ, the Son, is truly divine and is of the same essence/substance as the Father, rather than being a created being.
How does the historical evidence presented by Wes challenge the claim that the Council of Nicaea “invented Christianity” or created the belief in Jesus' divinity?
The evidence shows that Christian beliefs about Jesus' divinity existed centuries before Nicaea. The council was responding to an existing controversy about Jesus' identity rather than creating the belief that Jesus was divine for the first time.
Why The Telephone Game Is A Bad Example:
A. The message is normally heard only once. B. The message is passed privately from one person to another.
C. The original message is unavailable for comparison. D. Participants cannot ask questions or request clarifications. E. Participants are not given time to intentionally memorize the message. F. There is no opportunity for the community to correct the error. G. The message is transmitted rapidly. H. Each person only has access to the previous person’s version. I. The game is designed for entertainment rather than preservation. J. Participants generally have no personal or cultural investment in preserving the message.
Why are the 9 Reasons Why Oral Learning Is Effective?
3. 9 Reasons Why Oral Learning Is Effective:
Memorization:
Structure: Stories are often used with rhythm and rhyme for easier learning
It is expected to be memorized word perfect.
Communal Knowledge: The whole community knows the stories.
Public Retelling: Done in front of others in the community/classroom
Correction: When an error happens, correction is done immediately.
Teacher/Specialist: Certain people in the community are set aside to be the experts.
Intentional Generational Teaching: Knowledge is passed down from one generation to another generation.
Cultural Importance: A community's heritage and religious beliefs are important to them.