Lesson 4: Period of Criticism and Revision (Part 1)

New Testament Canon

During the next phase of our study we will turn to the Canon of the New Testament.  More specifically, we are concerned with the 4 gospels.  As part of our historical study we want to know if these four writings are the appropriate source material for the remainder of our study.

As such, we are not concerned, AT THIS POINT, with the concepts of Revelation, Inspiration.  Neither are we concerned with determining whether or not these four writing are "Inerrant."  This is not to say they are not critically important.  They are to the Christian, but not the non-Christian.  Therefore, those Christian doctrines do not pertain to our endeavor at this time.  Instead, we are merely concerned with determining the historical veracity of what they report; namely, Jesus' life, death, burial and resurrection.  Are they, or are they not, historically accurate.

As we look to determine if we have the correct source material we cannot escape the topic of Canonicity.  However, we will stop short of delving into the doctrines listed above.

During our last class we read a number of quotations from the resource "The Encyclopedia of Biblical Errancy" by the late C. Dennis McKinsey. (Side note: I spoke with you about the fact that McKinsey was a self-proclaimed Stalinist/Communist.  I did so, not to say whether his worldview was true or false, but to point out that what we are studying does matter.  McKinsey had a faith-based worldview and dedicated his life to evangelizing others according to what he believed to be true.  As a result, any number of people, many of whom were college-age children, under his charge have been influenced by him.  Have we yet realized the importance of incorporating the same devotion into our Christian apologetic that would allow us to lovingly do the same?)

Using McKinsey's book we saw some of the common arguments given against the New Testament Canon.

• The NT Canon wasn't determined until after AD 400.
• The gospels were not written by contemporaries of Jesus or the apostles; nor were they written by anyone during that era.
• The gospels were not written by eyewitnesses to Jesus' life.
• The NT Canon was decided by political power exerted within the church.
• The NT Canon was decided by Committee.
• Vital writings of the time were eliminated and hidden through political influence.

The implications and unspoken assumptions of these assertions include;

• The gospels are not trustworthy historical documents.
• The NT canon was determined by man instead of God.
• Had the church councils voted differently, then our beliefs and doctrines would be different.
• There was no criteria employed by the church councils in determining the NT canon except for political influence and power.
• The writings of our modern NT played no significant or unique role in the early church. (AD 100-400)
• The writings of our NT are no different in influence than writings of the second century and beyond.
• Consequently, Christianity is a completely blind faith.  There is no objective historical evidence upon which to base Christian faith and doctrine.

Given the above arguments, we then began to look at original source material written before and during the 2nd century that indicates whether or not the 4 gospels had any special appeal and influence on the people of the early church.  As we continue we will read directly from the following historians and writings prior to AD 300.

• The Didache
• Marcion
• Papias
• Justin Martyr
• Tatian
• Irenaeus
• The Muratorian Fragment
• Tertullian
• Clement of Alexandria
• Origen
• Eusebius

It is important to note that all of the above writers and writings occur well before AD 325; which stands in direct contrast to the common arguments disseminated in our modern culture.

We will pick up Thursday night with a review of our last class and then take a careful look at the remaining material.

See you Thursday.

Blessings!
Ricky