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The Biblical Canon of 66 Books: Airtight or Questionable?
Dr. Nathan Busenitz is Executive Vice President, Dean of Faculty, and Associate Professor of Theology at The Master’s Seminary. He has authored several books and serves as an elder and pastor at Grace Community Church in Sun Valley, California.
He wrote a very helpful article on “Why These 66 Books?” which looks at the veracity of the collection of 66 scriptural books that God inspired to give to His people.
Have you ever looked at your Bible and wondered, "How do we know that these 66 books, and no others, comprise the inspired Word of God?"
That is a critically important question since there are many today who would deny that these 66 books truly make up the complete canon of Scripture.
The Bible is Reliable
Dr. Daniel B. Wallace, professor of New Testament studies at Dallas Theological Seminary, founder and executive director of the Center for the Study of New Testament Manuscripts, author and contributor to over three dozen books among which is the Exegetical Syntax of the New Testament, a standard intermediate Greek grammar that is widely used in colleges and seminaries, shares the following about the reliability of the biblical manuscripts from which we derive the New Testament.
Love Does
Paul’s final words to the Corinthians in his first letter included this big audacious command: “Let all that you do be done in love” (1 Cor. 16:14).
First, what does this love mean?
God’s love is to motivate and flow through everything we do as believers (“Let all that you do”).
God’s love (agape) seeks, by attitude and action, to selflessly give the best and highest good for others.
What Victory Motivates
One of my favorite stories is what nineteenth-century circuit-riding preacher Peter Cartwright said to President Andrew Jackson.
Cartwright had a reputation for boldness. It was Sunday morning and Cartwright received word that President Andrew Jackson would be in the congregation. And he was warned about the need for diplomacy. When he stood to preach, he said, “I understand that Andrew Jackson is here. I have been requested to be guarded in my remarks.” Then, he followed with this salvo: “Andrew Jackson will go to hell if he doesn’t repent!”
The shocked congregation nearly had apoplexy! After the service, Jackson went straight to the preacher and said, “Sir, if I had a regiment of men like you, I could whip the world!”
Remember Jesus Christ
At the T4G conference (Together for the Gospel) our elders and pastors attended last week in Louisville, Shai Linne (hip-hop artist, author, church planter, pastor, elder) preached a great message on “Remember Jesus Christ” taken from 2 Timothy 2:8 (“Remember Jesus Christ, risen from the dead, descendant of David, according to my gospel”).
At the conclusion of His message, he shared the following inspiring reminder of who Jesus Christ is and how He is able to lead us in and through the circumstances of life.
Nothing but the Blood
Usually, blood makes people squeamish. In fact, in movies, if there is a certain amount of blood shown it will raise the content rating making the movie unsuitable for children/teens. Even for adults, approximately 15% faint when donating blood. But we know that blood is a good thing and that it is essential for the human body. It helps us fight off bacteria, keeps our organs working properly, and ultimately it sustains our lives.
We’ve Got the L.I.F.E.
I recently read this sad quote from Woody Allen at age 86: “I don’t want to achieve immortality through my work; I want to achieve immortality through not dying. I don’t want to live on in the hearts of my countrymen; I want to live on in my apartment.”
Jesus said, “because I live, you will live also” (John 14:19b). He also said, “I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly” (John 10:10b).
Why Invite Others to Easter
In just a little over a week, we will be commemorating the most unique event in all of human history. The Lord Jesus Christ died and bodily rose again to defeat our greatest enemies: sin, death, and hell. Here are two reasons why people everywhere must hear this good news.
Are You Playing With Fire?
We’ve all heard and felt the harsh reality of this famous saying, “if you play with fire, you are going to get burned.” This is a very wise warning about the damaging costs of foolish risk.
God has a variety of ways He expresses this truism:
Pastor Jeff
