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Class #4

1. Further discuss what the Church should do if we were to find Paul’s real first
letter to the Corinthians. Would you include it in your Bible? Why or why
not.

A: If we ever find Paul’s first letter to the Corinthians, I would encourage publication of the letter as a mini-book. It would be something that I would encourage all Christians to read. I would not include it in the Bible. It would be hard to include it now considering it hasn’t been in since the beginning. The Bible contains all parts that we need for salvation, therefore I doubt that the original Corinthians letter would address anything that isn’t already included in our Bible as it is now.

2. The canon was defined as in class as being “closed” only to the degree that God
is no longer adding to it through verified writings. Do you think that it is
possible for God to add to the canon? If so, in what sense is it really “closed”?
Discuss.

A: I would argue that it is closed. Could God add to it? Sure. But I don’t think He will. We already have the information we need, from the creation (beginning), to the end (Jesus return and the 1000 year reign). We may need more after that, but for now I would argue there is little point or need for more. It is closed.

3. It must also be understood that Scripture is not an exhaustive history book. It
is a collection of books that record soteriological history (the history of the fall
and redemption) and an “instruction book” on how to live as God intended.
Read 2 Tim. 3:15-17 and discuss how this is true.
A: This is the scripture that reinforces my answer for #2. We have all the information we need in the scripture as it is. We have no need for more revelation. This is the quote that should make Mormon’s and others that think we are in need of more scripture and messages from God. We can all experience a relationship with Him, but we have everything we need in the Bible as far as figuring out what we need to do for salvation.

4. Now read Heb. 1:1-1 and discuss how this passage might lead us to the
seemingly assured yet somewhat tentative conclusion that there is probably
not going to be any more Scripture added to the canon as we know it.

A: Hebrews 1:1-2 makes it sound that the age of the prophets is over, and now God has spoken through Jesus, so there is no need for further prophets. Jesus and His teachings are sufficient.

5. If someone were to say that they wrote a book that is inspired by God and that
should be added to the Bible, how should you respond?

A: I would ask to see a sign of a prophet. If they have written something directly from God, that would qualify them as a prophet (or accompanied a prophet), and either way a prophet would need to be presented, and they would in turn need to show a sign of a prophet. If they could not produce a sign, they would not qualify as one, and therefore the writing would be dismissed as inspired. Deuteronomy 18:18-22 would be the reference.

6. How did the lesson challenge your view of the canonical status of the
Apocrypha/Deuterocanonical books? Do you think that they should be part of
the Bible? Are you willing to die for your answer? Discuss.

A: The inclusion or exclusion of the Apocrypha was new to me, so it didn’t really challenge my view. I really didn’t have one. With that being said, I would now argue the exclusion of the Apocrypha from the Bible. I would die for my answer. It seems to me through the help of the lesson that there was never any clear understanding of the Apocryphal books’ inclusion or exclusion. I would strongly argue that had God wanted them in the Bible, there would have been no doubt whatsoever about the authenticity of them. With the evidence that we have, it is clear that they were not to be included.

7. How has this lesson most challenged your thinking?

A: It was a great lesson in the manner in which the Old Testament books were put together and what books made the Bible and what didn’t. I was not aware of this before, so it was enlightening, educational, and I am pleased to say it came in handy the other day when my sister who is getting religious knowledge from her Catholic friend and the topic of the Catholic Bible vs. Protestant Bible came up. I was happy to forward on the little knowledge I had. Thanks Michael and Rhome!

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