In today's devotional, we continue our study of the canon of scriptures with a reminder of what the canons are and why God gave them to us. I discussed the 2 general perspectives to viewing the subject; the liberal and orthodox view. God gave us his canons so that we can easily determine what writings were inspired by the Holy Spirit and which were not. The canon, the standard of what His word is existed immediately God gave us His word.
The liberal view paints the canons as a group of people simply coming together and deciding which and which books should be in the Bible. The orthodox view say God gave us the canons when he gave us His word.
To explain further, I read from Danny McCain's and Craig Keener's book; "understanding and applying the scriptures" example of books that didn't make the canon.
Lastly, we must never forget the purpose of the canon; to help know what writings were and which were not inspired by God;
"All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work."
2 Timothy 3:16-17 NIV.
We must never allow ourselves to be tossed about by every wind of doctrine.
"Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of people in their deceitful scheming. Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will grow to become in every respect the mature body of him who is the head, that is, Christ."
Ephesians 4:14-15 NIV.
