The Old Testament Scriptures record the process of collecting its books. From the beginning of the written Law, Moses gave the Law to the priests to care for it (Deut 31:9). God commanded that the Book of the Law be placed in the Ark of the Covenant for which the Levites oversaw (Deut 31:9, 24–26). From Moses on, books were added to the Law as they were written by inspired men. The book of Joshua recorded that Joshua wrote in “the Book of the Law of God” and added his inspired words to the Law of God (Josh 24:26). Even unto the writing of Chronicles, the Book of Kings was written into the Law of the Lord (2 Chr 35:26–27).
The Old Testament texts record that Israel preserved the Law through the centuries. Even until the reign of Jehoshaphat, the Law was being taught in all the cities by the prophets and by the Levites (2 Chr 17:9). The Law was found in the keep of the Levites and read before King Josiah and all Israel before Israel’s captivity (2 Chr 34:17–21; 2 Kings 22:8–16; 23:2–3, 21–28). Then even further to the time of Israel’s restoration, Ezra is described as a priest and the scribe of the Law of God (Ezra 7:11–12), and he returned from Babylonian captivity and set his heart on the study of the Law of the Lord (Ezra 7:10). The Book of Nehemiah also recorded Ezra as being the scribe of the Law and reading it to the remnant who had returned from captivity (Neh 8:1). The Law was kept and copied throughout the centuries from Moses to Ezra, which is over a millennium. Prejudice would discount the reliability of the scriptures affirmed by the Septuagint, the Dead Sea Scrolls, and more.
Unto the first century AD, the New Testament writings confirm the existence of the written Law of Moses. For this, there was no debate over what Scriptures were inspired. Jesus confirmed the Old Testament collection by mentioning its three divisions excluding the addition of the Apocrypha, which was added 2000 years after the completion of the Old Testament. (Apocrypha means “hidden away.”) Jesus taught, “These are my words that I spoke to you while I was still with you, that everything written about Me in the Law of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms must be fulfilled” (Luke 24:44). Jesus was clearly using all of the Scriptures for He also said, “And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, He [Jesus] interpreted to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning Himself” (Luke 24:27). Jesus had no doubt that God oversaw and protected the Scriptures. Lastly, as a scholarly man explained regarding the collection of the books of the Bible, “If you prove the Bible, then you prove the collection of the Bible.” He was saying that the numerous evidences proving that the Bible came from God proves to us that God oversaw and keeps His Book from a state of distortion and corruption.
See also “How the New Testament Came Together.”
The Breath of God 
Erik, read what I write. The Orthodox do not use musical instruments in worship and they separate from Catholics on more than just the Pope. Who decides what brings us closer to Christ, but Christ Himself.
Now you’re adding specifics to the scholars that they must be “scientists”. Those at Cambridge, Oxford, and Harvard are non-believers and are hired by non-believers. Ivy-league schools which once believe in inspired inerrancy of Scripture are run by skeptics. Who do think that the boards going to hire? If you want universally accepted among skeptics, then you won’t find them. If you want the universal acceptance from a few skeptic scientists to assure you, then you’re an intellectual coward. See Dr. Young-Gil Kim for a scientist. Here’s the list that you’re looking for http://www.answersingenesis.org/Home/Area/bios/.
Science affirms Creation and always has. How could science disprove the Creation? Would you like to explain? Add to this the scientific foreknowledge within the Scriptures (see post on Scientific Foreknowledge). Its the mythology in your textbooks that you support. Evolution never has and never will be proved. The scientific law of Biogenesis has long left evolution cut off from science. Add to this that “origins science” like political science and so many other “sciences” are not observable and have no place next to any form of the scientific method.
Erik, go on instruct me about what Christ did and did not say. I’ve been waiting for you to tell me how to know when Jesus did say something in the Bible or when He did not. You can’t even recognize that the Bible has not been altered. In fact, I give due credit to the Catholic church and the Orthodox church for preserving the inspired text that contradicts their own beliefs. If some thing that Jesus said in the Bible is not from Him, then would you not also think that there are some things left out? How would you know? Where would those words be? You still have not recognized the Byzantine Scriptures and the Alexandrinus manuscript affirming that there was no corruption of the New Testament. Your “priest” will tell you that.
You are not communing with Christ in whatever you’re eating. How do you know what the Lord’s Supper is anyways? Do you base it off what some uninspired hierarchy tells you rather than the words of Christ? Did not St. Peter say that we are all priests (1 Pet. 2:5, 9)? I know that when you were younger that you were a part of the Church, but now have turn aside to liars.
You have such a dualistic mindset. Because they disagree on the MUSIC you believe that they are exclusive and cannot agree with one another? There is a difference between the particulars and what matters; the style of music, Scott, does not matter. Like I said- it is all about what brings us closer to an understanding of Christ. If the Orthodox believe that the a capella choral music aids them, then so be it (besides the fact that some Orthodox use instruments); but there is no disagreement between core beliefs. Learn to separate core beliefs from particulars that lead you to these beliefs.
Upon doing a google search, Dr. Everett Ferguson is found to be a professor of Church history; he is not a biologist, physicist, or any other scientist, so while he may personally believe in the inerrancy of the Bible, he has little basis to prove otherwise. Why do you think it is, Scott, that not a single professor at, let’s say, Harding/Cambridge/Oxford etc accepts the idea that the Bible is the perfect, inerrant, word of God? If there are any, I have yet to find them. If it is that evident, then why is it not more universally accepted?
You’ll notice that Jesus isn’t quoting the Genesis account as historical fact (he never once invokes the names “Adam” and “Eve” or talks about the “serpent” or “tree of life”, etc); instead, he is interpreting it the way it should be- as an allegory and he derives a message from the story (that message being that divorce is something to be eschewed). Where does Jesus ever quote the Genesis 1 myth as history? Science DISPROVES your interpretation of Genesis 1. This brings me back to my original point all along- there is much to be salvaged from the Bible even if it’s not historical or scientifically accurate. It is a spiritual book- nothing else. How much of your brain will you compromise for your faith?
You keep making the same mistake (and it is a mistake) over and over. You seem to think that the Bible, according to your interpretation, is “all or nothing.” The Genesis 1 account HAS to be true or the whole Bible may be thrown out (as an example), according to your line of thinking. Can you handle the fact that some of what is attributed to Christ, he did not say; or do you still hold to the idea that the Bible is “all or nothing”?
By the way, your “Blessed Meal” is not the same as the historic Eucharist. As a former member of the Churches of Christ, I can say that that the communion given in the Churches of Christ vs the Communion given in the Church are entirely different. It has a lot to do with liturgy, though.
If there is no right and wrong regarding accepting an authoritative hierarchy, then how do you know that you such a statement is right? Which hierarchy have truth? It cannot be both since both hierarchies disagree in practices like baptism and church music. Which is true? Which came first?
Which modern scholars believe that the Bible is infallible and inerrant? Here’s just one Dr. Everett Ferguson. If you need more, then go down the list of professors of the professors at Heritage, Faulkner, Freed-Hardeman, and Harding. Add to these even those of denominations like Liberty and Baylor. Those are just some off the top of my head.
What animals have not been subdued/tamed from word “damazo”? All that you’ve mentioned have been caged, captured, and killed. This is meaning of the Greek behind “tamed”. See Mark 5:4 for the man possessed with Legion.
Really? You believe the Creation is a myth though Christ believed the Genesis account to be true (Matt. 19, Mark 10:6-8, 13:19, ). Jesus said, “(6) But from the beginning of creation, ‘God made them male and female.’ (7) ‘Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and hold fast to his wife, (8) and the two shall become one flesh.’ So they are no longer two but one flesh.” By what authority of proof would you even begin to question the way God created the world, Moses’ account, and Christ’s affirmation? How much of your faith will you compromise to agree with your textbooks?
Who does not agree that the Bible must be read to be understood? Do you or do you not believe that the Bible has been corrupted?
“Authority” according to Merriam-Webster, “1 a (1): a citation (as from a book or file) used in defense or support (2): the source from which the citation is drawn b (1): a conclusive statement or set of statements (as an official decision of a court) (2): a decision taken as a precedent (3): testimony c: an individual cited or appealed to as an expert2 a: power to influence or command thought, opinion, or behavior b: freedom granted by one in authority : right3 a: persons in command; specifically : government b: a governmental agency or corporation to administer a revenue-producing public enterprise 4 a: grounds, warrant b: convincing force ”
What is your source of belief? Do you only believe God the Father when Christ says that He has all authority? Will you submit to His words which are spirit and life (John 6:63)? Where do you beliefs come from? By what mode do they come from God? You’d be the first to not claim to have authority for your beliefs from Christ and His words. How else would Christ communicate except by words?
You know well that I partake of the Blessed Meal every 1st day of the week. I just want to know where else you get the words of Christ from.
OK, the Orthodox hierarchy is older than the Protestants in excluding the Pope, but the Catholic hierarchy is just as old as the Orthodox. How do I know which is right? This question represents the extreme sort of dualism of your kind of thinking- it is either “right” or “wrong.” What if neither of them are “right” or “wrong” but simply men who devote their lives to helping its members come to a better understanding of Christ and his fullness? They are servants, not supernatural shamen. I am of the belief that the deacons and bishops and prebyters (priests) that are mentioned in the NT are the same that we have today in the Catholic Church and Orthodox Church, mainly because of history (the Orthodox Church and Catholic Church are the oldest Church, after all). But this is immaterial. It’s not about who is “right”- it’s about who is going to help us come to a fullness of Christ.
Which modern scholars believe that the Bible is infallible and inerrant?
Which animals haven’t been tamed? Whales, cockroaches, crabs, condors, rattlesnakes, apes… in the grand scheme of things, we’ve only “tamed” quite a few species. But the fact that James got this wrong doesn’t matter to me. Do you honestly believe that God told mankind to “subdue the earth” or is a more logical explanation that an ancient people were trying to understand how they are different than the other animals? Besides, the creation myth is supposed to be understood as an allegory, not as literal, historical fact.
What aren’t you understanding about salvaging the Bible? There are some things that can’t be explained away, but there is much to be had within the Bible. It just needs to be read with the right mind, understanding that it is a spiritual book, not a book of history and science (as Kenneth Miller oft says).
Why do I need an authority to lead me? What’s with your obsession with authority? God calls all unto himself; there is no need for an authority to come to him.
How are you not confining Jesus to the words of the Bible? It seems as if you are saying that no one can learn of Jesus without the Bible; but this is not the case. I’m under the impression that one reason you cannot understand the concept of separating Jesus from the Bible is because you do not have the Sacraments, especially the Eucharist.
The Orthodox hierarchy is older in excluding the Pope. How do you know which one is right? Add to this that you ignore the development of these hierarchies and believe that these hierarchies are implied in the bishops and deacons in the Scriptures. Please, explain what facts and sources from before these comments that have brought you to this conclusion.
How do you know who is credible and who is not? What evidence shows that the hundreds of scholarly men who do believe the Bible is infallible and inerrant are not credible? As for James 3:7, which animal has not been subdued? Expand on this since you have a great understanding on the matter. How should we understand Genesis 1:28, “Then God blessed them, and God said to them, ‘Be fruitful and multiply; fill the earth and subdue it; have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over every living thing that moves on the earth.'”? Do you believe that God did not say this and that Moses was a liar?
I still don’t understand what needs to be “salvage” from the Bible. What has been salvaged so far? How is Christ leading other than His words in Scripture, His providence, and possibly His angels [though His angels cannot teach anymore Gospel (Gal. 1:8)]?
Again, by what authority and evidence do you base any of your beliefs? Is you authority simply from the Catholic hierarchies worldview?
Why do you believe that I confine Jesus to the Bible? Can Jesus be confined?
Well the Orthodox hierarchy is just as old as the Catholic. Do you not know history?
I am advocating that the Bible is not the literal, infallible, inerrant word of God. No credible person believes this anymore. The example of Christ leads me, not simply his words (though they are an aid). And when I say that we must “salvage” what is in the Bible, I am not making an attack on its authenticity. The Bible simply needs to be taken with a grain of salt. There is some good exegesis to be had, but there are other parts that are simply incorrect, such as in James 3:7 when it says that all animals have been tamed by man. The Bible should not lead but compliment the Christian journey.
Why do you confine Jesus to the Bible? Don’t you believe he is universal?
I am referring to a random choice of hierarchy among the denominations. Why would you choose the Catholic hierarchy over the older hierarchy of the Orthodox?
Erik, were you not advocating that the Bible is not the word of God? Will not the words of Christ lead your journey or does some hierarchy have them? Where are those words?
Why do you think that the Bible must be salvaged? Are you not familiar with the oldest manuscripts of the New Testament? Do you not know that there are three complete copies [excluding their damage and lacunae] Alexandrinus, Vaticanus, and Sinaiticus from the 4th and 5th century? Are these not from the time that the Catholic church claims to have originated the canon? Do you not agree that the New Testament is kept in pristine form by the numerous quotes of the early “church fathers” from the 1st through 4th centuries? Surely, Clement’s quotes alone a confirm the Scriptures. As Metzger (in his book, The Text of the New Testament) stated, “Indeed, so extensive are these citations that if all sources for our knowledge of the text of the New Testament were destroyed, they would be sufficient alone for the reconstruction of practically the entire New Testament.” Can you not trust Jesus’ words that His words would never pass away?
Well, either way both could be considered a form of “blind faith.” I’d much rather have a leader than an out-dated book, though (besides the fact that the Catholic hierarchy is not “random” by any means of the word). I’m not ashamed of Christ’s words nor do I eschew the Bible completely; but the Bible must be taken with a grain of salt and an education of the ancient world. To assume that the Bible can be read anywhere at any point in time is stretching it (to say the least). The example of Christ is completely universal, but much of what is in the Bible is antiquated (for example, the fact that women are to “be silent in the churches” and “learn from their husbands”). There is much to be salvaged in the Bible, especially the New Testament; but to assume that to reject the Bible means rejecting Jesus is absurd.
I am a Christian and the Bible compliments, not leads, my journey.
It is a shame that you are not connected with Christ’s Church even in not accepting His words. I wish you would. I’d like to know where you would find the words of Christ especially those of the covenant that was promised in Jeremiah 31:31-34. Christ said that we’d all be judged by His words (John 12:47-48) and that He will be ashamed of those who are ashamed of His words (Luke 9:26). He said those words would never pass away (Luke 21:33). He said that He gave those words and further truth to His apostles (John 16:12-13, 17:8). Why do you blaspheme Christ’s words because they are written? Why do wish to follow some random hierarchy of men claiming to be led by the Spirit? As for me, I’ll just stick to the words of Christ revealed in the Scriptures.
Protestant Christianity will start to evolve only as soon as it forsakes its understanding that the Bible is the “word” of God; many ‘mainline’ churches have already realized this (UCC, UMC, TEC, ELCA, etc) though it’s a shame that they are not connected to the historical church.