I do think we run the risk of straying off topic, but from about 400 AD (when most of the biblical related councils occured) until the reformation, the most widely accepted canon was certainly the one that the Catholic church put forward. Now that is not to say that some of the Orthodox...
Katzpur - great job on demonstrating just what confusion there really was as to what should be considered inspired books!
So how did all these alternative canons fall aside with one book rising to be accepted by all of Christianity as the accepted books of the Bible?
I would agree. The follow up question to this is...how did the Christians before 325AD (or thereabouts) know which scriptures to follow and which scriptures were heretical? More importantly, how did people outside of Christianity come to know the faith outside of the Bible?
Since I don't know where you come from, please do not take offense if I wronly assume your beliefs...
The question is this: on what authority do you accept the books of the Bible?
I have already answered this question - I have met several protestants who claim scripture alone. If you want to explain the difference between this, I would be happy to listen.
You'll have to excuse me, but Wikipedia is possibly just slightly more reliable on issues of faith than looking...
So you accepted the books initially on the authority of your father? Why did he believe in the Bible?
To save us from going down a very long path here, let's shorten things. You came to believe in the Bible because when it was handed to you, you were given the grace to see the Truth in the...
I wouldn't necessarily agree. I have met many protestants who do not call themselves Sola Scripturists nor would I call them such.
My use of the term is simply anyone who believes all revelation is contained in the Bible.
Do you know anyone that has the same understanding of the Scriptures...
To add on to this point, this is how Jesus wanted it to be (which is the reason for the scripture that Athanasius pointed out).
Regarding the book that you read, I understand the desire to read opposing viewpoints, I would really encourage you to take the time to read some good Catholic...
A priest does not cleans the sinner - only God forgives sins. The priest acts on behalf of Christ. Your analagy breaks down - the sinner is not cleansed by a fallen man, but by God.
Be very careful about what you read regarding the Catholic Church. The amount of misinformation is quite incredible. That being said, there were some rather unsavory individuals who served as Popes, this much we know. But the actions of men do not nullify the truth.
Do I think that a priest...
No need to be sorry - this is how the Bible has been handed down for ages. Its how I learned of the Bible, and I'm willing to be most people on this board learned of the Bible in a similar fashion.
Please let us know what your evangelist says. Specifically ask him/her why the books in your...
So we know what books belong in the Bible through what was handed down from the Apostles and the authority that they had as eyewitnesses?
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Amen to that. No disagreement here.
Come to think about it, they do not refer to themselves as Sola Scriptura, rather, they refer to their beliefs as "the Bible alone". Maybe I am making a leap here to think this is the same thing...do you consider a 'bible alone' approach and Sola Scriptura to essentially be the same thing...
I didn't want to leave you out of the conversation - I thought this comment deserved having a response...
What is ironic is that there is a touch of truth to this statement - yes, the Catholic Church includes the books that they know to be inspired. This is how the Bible came to be...in fact...
My experience has been different - I have found a good # of protestants who follow Sola Scriptura. But that is neither here nor there.
Please do not take this as me accusing you or telling you what you believe, but my impression is that you believe that all you need is the Spirit to guide...