Canon of Scripture
Roman Catholics complain that Protestants have 'removed' books from the canon of scripture.
It is more accurate to say that the sixteenth century Council
of Trent 'added' books to the canon. In fact, Protestants adopted
the early church's canon of scripture:
"This then is the Holy Ghost, who in the Old Testament inspired the Law and the Prophets,
in the New the Gospels and the Epistles. Whence also the Apostle
says, 'All Scripture given by inspiration of God is profitable
for instruction.' And therefore it seems proper in this place
to enumerate, as we have learnt from the tradition of the Fathers,
the books of the New and of the Old Testament, which, according
to the tradition of our forefathers, are believed to have been
inspired by the Holy Ghost, and have been handed down to the Churches of Christ.
"Of the Old Testament, therefore, first of all there have been handed down five books of Moses,
Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, Deuteronomy; then Jesus
Nave, (Joshua the son of Nun), the Book of Judges together with
Ruth; then four books of Kings (Reigns), which the Hebrews reckon
two; the Book of Omissions, which is entitled the Book of Days
(Chronicles), and two books of Ezra (Ezra and Nehemiah), which
the Hebrews reckon one, and Esther; of the Prophets, Isaiah,
Jeremiah, Ezekiel, and Daniel; moreover of the twelve (minor)
Prophets, one book; Job also and the Psalms of David, each one book.
Solomon gave three books to the Churches, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, Canticles. These comprise
the books of the Old Testament.
"But it should be known that there are also other books which our fathers call not 'Canonical'
but 'Ecclesiastical:' that is to say, Wisdom, called the Wisdom
of Solomon, and another Wisdom, called the Wisdom of the Son
of Syrach, which last-mentioned the Latins called by the general
title Ecclesiasticus, designating not the author of the book,
but the character of the writing. To the same class belong the
Book of Tobit, and the Book of Judith, and the Books of the
Maccabees. In the New Testament the little book which is called
the Book of the Pastor of Hermas, [and that] which is called
The Two Ways, or the Judgment of Peter; all of which they would
have read in the Churches, but not appealed to for the confirmation
of doctrine. The other writings they have named 'Apocrypha.'
These they would not have read in the Churches. These are the
traditions which the Fathers have handed down to us, which,
as I said, I have thought it opportune to set forth in this
place, for the instruction of those who are being taught the
first elements of the Church and of the Faith, that they may
know from what fountains of the Word of God their draughts must
be taken." (Rufinus (late fourth century), Commentary on the
Apostles' Creed, 37-38, ECF 2.03).
"The Old Testament, then, consists of all together twenty-two books in number,- which also, I have
heard, is traditionally the number of written characters used
by the Hebrews,- the order of which, and the name of each, being
as follows: first, there is Genesis; then Exodus; then Leviticus;
and after this is Numbers; and then Deuteronomy; and following
these is Jesus son of Nave [Joshua]; and Judges; and after this
is Ruth; and again, following after these are four books of
Kingdoms, of which the first and second are counted as one [1
and 2 Samuel], and the third and fourth likewise as one [1 and
2 Kings]; and after these there is a first and second of Paralipomenon
[Chronicles], likewise counted as one; then Esdras, a first
and second in one [Ezra and Nehemiah]; and after this is a book
of Psalms; and then one of Proverbs; then Ecclesiastes; and
Song of Songs; and besides these, there is Job; and then the
Prophets, the twelve counted as one book [minor prophets]; then
Isaias; Jeremias, and along with it, Baruch, Lamentations, and
the Letter; and after these, Ezechiel; and Daniel. It is of
these so far enumerated that the Old Testament consists...
"These are the fountains of salvation at which they who thirst may be satisfied with the words they
contain. Only in these is the teaching of piety proclaimed.
Let no man add to these, nor take away from them....For the
sake of greater clarity I must necessarily add this remark also:
there are other books besides the aforementioned, which, however,
are not canonical. Yet, they have been designated by the Fathers
to be read by those who join us and who wish to be instructed
in the word of piety: the Wisdom of Solomon; and the Wisdom
of Sirach [Ecclesiasticus]; and Esther; and Judith; and Tobias;
and the Teaching attributed to the Apostles [Didache]; and the
Shepherd. Those which I mentioned earlier, beloved, are included
in the canon, while these latter are but recommended for reading."
(Athanasius, Thirty-Ninth Festal Letter, 367 A.D., 791, pp.
341-342, The Faith of the Early Fathers, Volume 1, William A. Jurgens).
"Melito to his brother Onesimus, greeting: As you have often, prompted by your regard for the
word of God, expressed a wish to have some extracts made from
the Law and the Prophets concerning the Savior, and concerning
our faith in general, and have desired, moreover, to obtain
an accurate account of the Ancient Books, as regards their number
and their arrangement, I have striven to the best of my ability
to perform this task: well knowing your zeal for the faith,
and your eagerness to become acquainted with the Word, and especially
because I am assured that, through your yearning after God,
you esteem these things beyond all things else, engaged as you
are in a struggle for eternal salvation.
"I accordingly proceeded to the East, and went to the very spot where the things in question
were preached and took place; and, having made myself accurately
acquainted with the books of the Old Testament, I have set them
down below, and herewith send you the list. Their names are as follows:
"The five books of Moses: Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, Deuteronomy; Joshua, Judges, Ruth,
the four books of Kings, the two of Chronicles, the book of
the Psalms of David, the Proverbs of Solomon, also called the
Book of Wisdom, Ecclesiastes, the Song of Songs, Job, the books
of the prophets Isaiah, Jeremiah, of the twelve contained in
a single book, Daniel, Ezekiel, Esdras. From these I have made
my extracts, dividing them into six books." (Melito of Sardis,
c. 177 A.D., Book of Extracts, ECF 0.08)
"When expounding the first Psalm, he [Origen] gives a catalogue of the sacred Scriptures of the
Old Testament as follows: 'It should be stated that the canonical
books, as the Hebrews have handed them down, are twenty-two;
corresponding with the number of their letters.'" (Origen, quoted
in Eusebius, Church History, Book 6, Chapter 25).
"On the contrary, the translation [the Septuagint] was effected by the Holy Spirit, by whom the
Divine Scriptures were spoken. Of these, read the twenty-two
books; but have nothing to do with the apocrypha. Study diligently
those only which we read publicly in the Church. Far wiser than
you, and much more pious, were the Apostles and bishops of old,
the rulers of the Church who handed down these books. You, therefore,
being a child of the Church - infringe not on its statutes.
Of the Old Testament, as we have said, study the twenty-two
books; and if you happen to be desirous of learning, strive
to remember them by name as I recite them. Of the law, the first
five are the books of Moses: Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers,
and Deuteronomy. Next, Jesus the Son of Nave; and the Book of
Judges together with Ruth, counted as the seventh.
"Of the others, the historical books, the first and second book of Kingdoms are counted by
the Hebrews as one book; and as one book also, the third and
the fourth. LIkewise, with them, the first and second Books
of Paralipomenon are accounted as one book; and the first and
second of Esdras are reckoned as one. The twelfth book is Esther.
And these are the historical books.
"Those, however, which are written in verses are five: Job, the Book of Psalms, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes,
and the Song of Songs, which is the seventeenth book. After
these there are the five prophetic books: of the twelve prophets,
there is one book; of Isaias, one; of Jeremias, one, along with
Baruch*, Lamentations, and the Letter*; next, Ezechiel; and
the Book of Daniel is the twenty-second book of the Old Testament.
"Learn also diligently, and from the Church, what are the books of
the Old Testament, and what those of the New. And, pray, read none of the
apocryphal writings: for why dost thou, who knowest not those which are
acknowledged among all, trouble thyself in vain about those which are disputed?
Read the Divine Scriptures, the twenty-two books of the Old Testament,
these that have been translated by the Seventy-two Interpreters. [...]
"Of these read the two and twenty books, but have nothing to do with
the apocryphal writings. Study earnestly these only which we read openly
in the Church. Far wiser and more pious than thyself were the Apostles,
and the bishops of old time, the presidents of the Church who handed down
these books. Being therefore a child of the Church, trench thou not upon
its statutes. And of the Old Testament, as we have said, study the two
and twenty books, which, if thou art desirous of learning, strive to remember
by name, as I recite them. For of the Law the books of Moses are the first
five, Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, Deuteronomy. And next, Joshua
the son of Nave, and the book of Judges, including Ruth, counted as seventh.
And of the other historical books, the first and second books of the Kings
are among the Hebrews one book; also the third and fourth one book. And
in like manner, the first and second of Chronicles are with them one book;
and the first and second of Esdras are counted one. Esther is the twelfth
book; and these are the Historical writings. But those which are written
in verses are five, Job, and the book of Psalms, and Proverbs, and Ecclesiastes,
and the Song of Songs, which is the seventeenth book. And after these come
the five Prophetic books: of the Twelve Prophets one book, of Isaiah one,
of Jeremiah one, including Baruch and Lamentations and the Epistle; then
Ezekiel, and the Book of Daniel, the twenty-second of the Old Testament.
"Then of the New Testament there are the four Gospels only, for the
rest have false titles and are mischievous. The Manichaeans also wrote
a Gospel according to Thomas, which being tinctured with the fragrance
of the evangelic title corrupts the souls of the simple sort. Receive also
the Acts of the Twelve Apostles; and in addition to these the seven Catholic
Epistles of James, Peter, John, and Jude; and as a seal upon them all,
and the last work of the disciples, the fourteen Epistles of Paul. But
let all the rest be put aside in a secondary rank. And whatever books are
not read in Churches, these read not even by thyself, as thou hast heard
me say. Thus much of these subjects."
(Cyril of Jerusalem, The Catechetical Lectures, 4:33-36).
"As, then, the Church reads Judith, Tobit, and the books of Maccabees, but does not admit them among
the canonical Scriptures, so let it read these two volumes for
the edification of the people, not to give authority to doctrines
of the Church." (Jerome, Prefaces to the Vulgate Old Testament).
"As, then, there are twenty-two elementary characters by means of which we write in Hebrew all
we say, and the compass of the human voice is contained within
their limits, so we reckon twenty-two books, by which, as by
the alphabet of the doctrine of God, a righteous man is instructed
in tender infancy, and, as it were, while still at the breast.
The first of these books...to which we give the name Genesis.
The second...which bears the name Exodus; the third, ...that
is Leviticus; the fourth,...which we call Numbers; the fifth,...which
is entitled Deuteronomy. These are the five books of Moses,
which they properly call Thorath, that is law. The second class
is composed of the Prophets, and they begin with Jesus the son
of Nave, who among them is called Joshua the son of Nun. Next
in the series is...the book of Judges; and in the same book
they include Ruth, because the events narrated occurred in the
days of the Judges. Then comes Samuel, which we call First and
Second Kings. The fourth is Malachim, that is, Kings, which
is contained in the third and fourth volumes of Kings. And it
is far better to say Malachim, that is Kings, than Malachoth,
that is Kingdoms. For the author does not describe the Kingdoms
of many nations, but that of one people, the people of Israel,
which is comprised in the twelve tribes. The fifth is Isaiah,
the sixth Jeremiah, the seventh Ezekiel, the eighth is the book
of the Twelve Prophets,...
"To the third class belong the Hagiographa, of which the first book begins with Job, the second
with David, whose writings they divide into five parts and comprise
in one volume of Psalms; the third is Solomon, in three books,
Proverbs, which they call Parables, that is Masaloth, Ecclesiastes,
that is Coeleth, the Song of Songs...; the sixth is Daniel;
the seventh,...Words of Days, which we may more expressively
call a chronicle of the whole of the sacred history, the book
that amongst us is called First and Second Chronicles; the eighth,
Ezra, which itself is likewise divided amongst Greeks and Latins
into two books; the ninth is Esther.
"And so there are also twenty-two books of the Old Testament; that is, five of Moses, eight of
the prophets, nine of the Hagiographa, though some include Ruth
and Kinoth (Lamentations) amongst the Hagiographa, and think
that these books ought to be reckoned separately; we should
thus have twenty-four book of the old law. And these the Apocalypse
of John represents by the twenty-four elders, who adore the
Lamb, and with downcast looks offer their crowns, while in their
presence stand the four living creatures with eyes before and
behind, that is, looking to the past and the future, and with
unwearied voice crying, Holy, Holy, Holy, Lord God Almighty,
who wast, and art, and art to come.
"This preface to the Scriptures may serve as a "helmeted" introduction to all the books which
we turn from Hebrew into Latin, so that we may be assured that
what is not found in our list must be placed amongst the Apocryphal
writings. Wisdom, therefore, which finally bears the name of
Solomon, and the book of Jesus, the Son of Sirach, and Judith,
and Tobias, and the Shepherd are not in the canon." (Jerome,
Prefaces to the Vulgate Old Testament, ECF 2.06)
"These are the books of the Old Testament which ought to be read:
1. Genesis of the World;
2. Exodus from Egypt;
3. Leviticus;
4. Numbers;
5. Deuteronomy;
6. Jesus of Nave [Joshua];
7. Judges, Ruth;
8. Esther;
9. First and Second of Kingdoms [1-2 Samuel];
10. Third and Fourth of Kingdoms;
11. First and Second of Paralipomenon [Chronicles];
12. First and Second Esdras;
13. Book of One Hundred and Fifty Psalms;
14. Proverbs of Solomon;
15. Ecclesiastes;
16. Song of Songs;
17. Job;
18. Twelve Prophets;
19. Isaias;
20. Jeremias and Baruch*, Lamentation and Letters*;
21. Ezechiel;
22. Daniel.
(Canon 60, Council of Ladodicea, p. 318, The Faith of the Early Fathers, Volume 1, William A. Jurgens).
(* not included in Protestant canon)
This twenty-two book canon (as the reader will note, the count is artificial) is and was
the Hebrew canon of scripture (no books were 'removed' at any
time): "For we have not an innumerable multitude of books among
us, disagreeing from and contradicting one another, but only twenty-two
books, which contain the records of all the past times; which
are justly believed to be divine...and how firmly we have given
credit to those books of our own nation is evident by what we
do; for during so many ages as have already passed, no one has
been so bold as either to add anything to them or take anything
from them, or to make any change in them; but it becomes natural
to all Jews, immediately and from their very birth, to esteem
those books to contain divine doctrines, and to persist in them,
and, if occasion be, willingly to die for them." (Josephus, Against
Apion. Book I, 8.). It is biblically somewhat difficult to understand
the Old Testament canon as differing from the Hebrew canon, because
the Bible says that the oracles were entrusted to the Hebrews:
"What advantage then has the Jew, or what is the profit of circumcision?
Much in every way! Chiefly because to them were committed the oracles of God." (Romans 3:1-2).
Inspiration of God
Bible believers who talk to contemporary Roman Catholics
are quite used to hearing them debunk the Bible, claiming that it teaches the earth is flat and
other gross errors. It may come as a surprise, therefore, to learn of the respect in which
Catholic authors of old times held sacred scripture: "But it [sacred doctrine] properly uses
the authority of the canonical Scriptures as a necessary argument, and the authority of the
doctors of the Church as one that may properly be used, though merely as probable. For our faith
rests upon the revelation made to the apostles and prophets, who wrote the canonical
books, and not on the revelations (if any such there are) made to other doctors.
Hence Augustine says (Epist. ad Hieron.): 'Only those books of Scripture which are called canonical
have I learnt to hold in such honour as to believe their authors have not erred in any way in writing
them. But other authors I so read as not to deem anything in their works to be true merely on
account of their having so thought and written, whatever may have been their holiness and
learning.'" (Thomas Aquinas, Summa Theologica, First Part Question 1, Article 8).
Thomas Aquinas thought that the Bible was inerrant: "I
answer that, The author of Holy Writ is God, in whose power it is to signify His meaning not by
words only (as man also can do), but also by things themselves....Hence it is plain that nothing false
can ever underlie the literal sense of Holy Writ." (Summa Theologica, First Part Question 1, Article 10).
Apocrypha
The apocryphal 'Wisdom of Solomon,' claimed by Roman
Catholics as scripture, falsely claims authorship by King Solomon of Israel: "You yourself have
chosen me to be king over your people, to be judge of your sons and daughters. You have bidden me
build a temple on your holy mountain, an altar in the city where you have pitched your tent, a copy
of that sacred tabernacle which you prepared from the beginning." (Wisdom 9:7-8).
The author of this pseudepigraphical wrote in Greek, as
the preface to the work in the Jerusalem Bible admits: "And indeed the whole book is written in
Greek..." (Introduction to the Book of Wisdom, Jerusalem Bible). It is less than obvious why King
Solomon of ancient Israel would have written a book in the Greek tongue.
The living God does not breathe lies into the souls of
His prophets; His holy eyes cannot look upon evil: "Thou art of purer eyes than to behold evil, and
canst not look on iniquity: wherefore lookest thou upon them that deal treacherously, and holdest thy
tongue when the wicked devoureth the man that is more righteous than he?" (Habakkuk 1:13). It is
knowing this that we can have confidence in His promises: "In hope of eternal life, which God, that
cannot lie, promised before the world began;..." (Titus 1:2). Perhaps the Roman Catholics figure
they can trust their Pope to sort out for them which statements of God are deceptive and which can
be trusted.
In addition to its false attribution of authorship,
this work teaches the Platonic doctrine of the pre-existence of the human soul: "I was a boy of
happy disposition, I had received a good soul as my lot, or rather, being good, I had entered an
undefiled body..." (Wisdom, 8:19-20).
People of the Book
|
"Look unto me, and be ye saved, all the ends of the earth: for I am
God, and there is none else." (Isaiah 45:22).
|
|
The Roman Catholic Church has adoped in recent years a startling attitude
toward Islam: "The plan of salvation also includes those who acknowledge
the Creator, in the first place amongst whom are the Muslims; these profess
to hold the faith of Abraham, and together with us they adore the one,
merceiful God, mankind's judge on the last day." (Catechism of the
Catholic Church, 1994, §841)
Muslims know, because they read it in the Koran, that Jesus is the Messiah: "Remember when the angel
said, ‘O Mary! Verily God announceth to thee the Word from Him: His name shall be, Messiah Jesus the son of Mary,
illustrious in this world, and in the next, and one of those who have
near access to God; and He shall speak to men alike when in the cradle
and when grown up; and he shall be one of the just.’" (Sura 3:40-41).
But they do not look to Him for salvation.
But that is just what the Messiah is for; He is to save His people:
“Indeed He says,
‘It is too small a thing that You should be My Servant
To raise up the tribes of Jacob,
And to restore the preserved ones of Israel;
I will also give You as a light to the Gentiles,
That You should be My salvation to the ends of the earth.’” (Isaiah 49:5, Acts 13:47).
This would seem to be a classic case of hearing the gospel, and rejecting
it. They acknowledge Jesus as the Christ, yet do not trust in Him to be
saved. Why, then, does the Roman Catholic Church give them a place in the
"plan of salvation"?
"The LORD is their strength, and He is the saving refuge of His anointed.
Save Your people, and bless Your inheritance; Shepherd them also, and bear
them up forever." (Psalm 28:8-9).
|
