Tag: Bible

In this episode of the Theology for the People Podcast, I speak with Shane Angland about the question of how we got the Bible in its current form.

Shane has been a recurring guest on the podcast, and he has a keen mind and knowledge of historical theology. Shane lives in Ennis, Ireland where he serves at Ennis Evangelical Church. He holds a Masters of Divinity from Dallas Theological Seminary, and has served as a missionary in Ukraine.

From the formation of the Old and New Testaments to the question of the Apocrypha, to the impact of the Council of Trent, this conversation offers clarity on why the Bible is trusted as God’s inspired Word.

Key Topics Discussed

• What is the Canon?
  • Definition: The canon is the list of inspired, authoritative Scriptures distinguished from other valuable writings.
  • Theological foundation: Scripture is “breathed forth” by God, carrying unique authority for the church (2 Timothy 3:16).
• Old Testament Canon Formation
  • Begins with God’s redemptive acts, particularly after the Exodus and Sinai covenant (Exodus 24, Deuteronomy 31).
  • Jewish recognition of inspired texts from Moses to Malachi, with a prophetic silence post-Persian era.
  • Josephus and first-century Jewish consensus on 22 books (equivalent to the 39 books in modern Old Testaments).
  • No explicit criteria articulated, but guided by the Holy Spirit and covenantal context.
• The Apocrypha and Deuterocanonical Books
  • Includes books like Tobit, Judith, Wisdom, Sirach, 1 & 2 Maccabees, Baruch, and additions to Esther and Daniel.
  • Historical debate: Some early Christians (e.g., Augustine) accepted these books, while others (e.g., Jerome) did not, aligning with Jewish tradition.
  • Council of Trent (1546): Roman Catholic Church dogmatically defined these books as canonical, partly in response to Reformation emphasis on scriptural authority (e.g., for doctrines like purgatory).
  • Eastern Orthodox churches maintain an open canon, avoiding infallible rulings.
• New Testament Canon Formation
  • Tied to the new covenant and apostolic authority, with writings by or connected to apostles (e.g., Mark linked to Peter, Luke to Paul).
  • Criteria: Apostolic origin, Christ-centered message, and widespread church use in worship.
  • Early recognition: By the late first century, apostolic writings were distinguished (e.g., Clement’s letters vs. Paul’s epistles).
  • By the second century, 22–23 of the 27 books were widely accepted, with minor debates on smaller texts (e.g., 2 Peter, 3 John).
• Misconceptions Addressed
  • Myth: The Council of Nicaea (325 CE) decided the canon. Reality: Nicaea focused on church governance, not canon selection.
  • Myth: Early Christians chose from hundreds of gospels. Reality: The four canonical gospels were the earliest, apostolic, and widely used.
  • Gnostic “gospels” (e.g., Gospel of Judas) lack historical or apostolic credibility and were not serious contenders.
• Why the Delay in Formal Canon Lists of the New Testament?
  • The early church was decentralized, persecuted, and lacked centralized authority to compile lists.
  • Canonical texts were illegal, and possession could lead to martyrdom (e.g., 180 CE Carthage trial).
  • Earliest clear list: Athanasius’ Easter Letter (367 CE), reflecting existing church consensus.
• Confidence in Scripture
  • The Bible’s unity across 66 books, three languages, and 1,500 years testifies to its divine inspiration.
  • The early church’s careful discernment reflects wisdom, not uncertainty.
  • Romans 3:2 affirms the Jewish role in preserving the Old Testament oracles, reinforcing trust in the canon’s reliability.

Resources Mentioned

• Michael Kruger’s work on the canon (e.g., Canon Revisited).
• Josephus’ Against Apion for first-century Jewish canon insights.
• Augustine’s On Christian Doctrine.

Quotable Moments

• “The canon begins with God’s work of redemption, not human decisions.” – Shane
• “The church doesn’t establish the canon; it recognizes it through the Holy Spirit.” – Shane
• “The Bible’s coherent message across 1,500 years is a miracle of God’s inspiration.” – Shane

Click here to listen to the episode, or listen in the embedded player below.

How Did We Get the Bible? Exploring the Formation of the Biblical Canon – with Shane Angland Th.M – Theology for the People

In this episode, Nick Cady and Shane Angland tackle the critical question: How did the Bible come to be? They explore the formation of the biblical canon, addressing misconceptions, historical processes, and the theological significance of Scripture. From the Old Testament’s roots in God’s redemptive work to the New Testament’s apostolic authority, this conversation offers clarity on why the Bible is trusted as God’s inspired Word. They also discuss the Apocrypha, the Council of Trent’s impact, and how early Jewish and Christian communities recognized canonical texts.Connect with Theology for the PeopleWebsite: theologyforthepeople.comFollow on X: @nickcady