Presenter: Rev. Kit Schooley
Dive into the messy, fascinating origin story of how we got our Bible. Long before leather-bound volumes sat on shelves, church leaders grappled with an overwhelming abundance of texts, stories, and letters claiming authority.
Around 100 CE, Christian congregations used whatever resources were available—Old Testament writings, Jewish traditions, testimonies from those who had met disciples, Paul's letters, and emerging gospels. Imagine being a church leader then, without printing presses or instant communication, trying to create consistency across scattered communities.
The four gospels themselves reveal Christianity's theological evolution. Mark presents a mysterious Jesus who never clearly identifies himself as Messiah, abruptly ending at the empty tomb. Matthew responds to questions about Jesus's legitimacy by providing a royal genealogy while also including four women with scandalous sexual histories. Luke writes for sophisticated audiences but places Jesus's birth among humble surroundings, connecting him to all humanity rather than just Jewish lineage. By the time John appears around 105 CE, Jesus is unambiguously portrayed as divine—"the Word made flesh."
As competing interpretations proliferated—Montanism with its new revelations, Arianism denying Jesus's divinity, Gnosticism with its secret knowledge, and Marcion rejecting Hebrew scripture entirely—church leaders faced impossible decisions. Should they create a single composite gospel? Accept only texts written while disciples were alive? Allow local congregations their favorites?
The Bible as we know it today emerged through centuries of debate, political pressure, and thoughtful discernment. It's a testament to both divine inspiration and the very human process of preserving what matters most. Next week, we'll explore how Roman authorities ultimately shaped the canon we recognize today.
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