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2 Per the majority of scholars, the first credible list of NT books accepted by early Christians is the 'Muratorian Fragment', a Latin fragment scholars consider to have been translated from a Greek MSS dating to ~AD 170.
. Muratorian Fragment (last page) (~written in Lain ~AD 650, translating an AD 170 Greek MSS) Public domain via Wikimedia Commons 3
Translation of Muratorian Fragment (1) (it contains 85 lines)... (2) The third book of the Gospel is that according to Luke The fourth of the Gospels is that of John, [one] of the disciples John so consistently (28) mentions these particular points also in his Epistles Moreover, the acts of all the apostles (35) were written in one book. For 'most excellent Theophilus Luke compiled (36) the individual events that took place in his presence (37) as he plainly shows by omitting the martyrdom of Peter (38) as well as the departure of Paul from the city [of Rome] (39) when he journeyed to Spain. As for the Epistles of (40-41) Paul [Some say Paul s writings don t belong in NT canon based on M5. 17 = I have not come to abolish [the law & prophets] καταλύω=dissolve, destroy, demolish & E2.15=JC gave us peace by aboloshing the law καταργέω= deactivated, unemployed, Cl2.14] they themselves make clear to those desiring to understand, which ones [they are], from what place, or for what reason they were sent. (42) First of all, to the Corinthians, prohibiting their heretical schisms; (43) next, to the Galatians, against circumcision; (44-46) then to the Romans he wrote at length, explaining the order (or, plan) of the Scriptures, and also that Christ is their principle (or, main theme). It is necessary (47) for us to discuss these one by one, since the blessed (48) apostle Paul himself writes by name to only seven churches in the following sequence: To the Corinthians (51) first, to the Ephesians second, to the Philippians third, (52) to the Colossians fourth, to the Galatians fifth, (53) to the Thessalonians sixth, to the Romans (54-5) seventh [LAST NOT FIRST!!]. It is true that he writes once more to the Corinthians and to the Thessalonians for the sake of admonition, (56-7) yet it is clearly recognizable that there is one Church spread throughout the whole extent of the earth. 4
Translation of Muratorian Fragment (2)... For John also in the (58) Apocalypse, though he writes to seven churches, (59-60) nevertheless speaks to all. [Paul also wrote] out of affection and love one to Philemon, one to Titus, and two to Timothy; and these are held sacred (62-63) in the esteem of the Church catholic [ universal, widespread ] for the regulation of ecclesiastical discipline. There is current also [an epistle] to (64) the Laodiceans, [see Cl4.16] [and] another to the Alexandrians, [both] forged in Paul's (65) name to [further] the heresy of Marcion, and several others (66) which cannot be received into the catholic Church (67) for it is not fitting that gall be mixed with honey. (68) Moreover, the epistle of Jude and two (bearing the name of) John are counted (or, used) in the catholic [Church]; and [the book of] Wisdom, [an RC book of the Apocrypha?] (70) written by the friends of Solomon in his honor. (71) We receive only the apocalypses of John and Peter [written ~AD 150 not that this is NOT 2 Peter], (72) though some of us are not willing that the latter be read in church. (73) But Hermas wrote the Shepherd (74) very recently, in our times, [i.e., too late to be an authentic NT book] in the city of Rome (77) it cannot be read publicly to the people in church either among (79) the Prophets, whose number is complete, [8] or among (80) the Apostles, for it is after [their] time. (81) But we accept nothing whatever of Arsinous or Valentinus or Miltiades, (82) who also composed (83) a new book of psalms for Marcion, (84-5) together with Basilides, the Asian founder of the Cataphrygians... 5
Muratorian Fragment Books mentioned or implied Matthew (implied) Mark (implied) Luke (2) John Acts Romans 1 & 2 Corinthians Galatians Ephesians Philippians Colossians 1&2 Thessalonians 1&2 Timothy Titus Philemon 1 & 2 John Jude Revelation NOTE: Not mentioned: Hebrews, James, Peter, and 3 John, but remember that the fragment abruptly ends before his writing was completed. CONCLUSION: Notice that he speaks of these being well established in the universal church (which he describes as spread throughout the whole extent of the earth ) by the time of his writing (~AD 170). It s entirely possible that many Christians could have met John and could have been living as late as AD 150 (if born in AD 75 would be 75 years old in 150). Therefore, suggestions that early Christians didn t know what books they considered canonical until 400 years after they were written are clearly historically inaccurate. 6
Furthermore, early MSS clearly includes Hebrews in this collection of Paul s writings, with Hebrews sandwiched between Romans and 1 Corinthians.. Papyrus 46 (~AD 175-225) Hebrews 10-8-? Creative Commons 3.0 7
Translation of P46, folio 31, recto side Hebrews 10.8-20 Papyrus 46 (~AD 175-225) Hebrews 10.8-20 TRANSLATION 8
9 Why would Hebrews have been included in early Christian manuscripts along with Paul s writings if Hebrews didn t belong in the New Testament?
Eusebius of Caesarea (~ad 260 340) ~130 years after Muratorian List SOME CHURCHES DISPUTED James Jude* 2 Peter 2 John* 3 John (only 14 verses) Revelation* *already established in Muratorian list EUSEBIUS: some texts are still under debate in some churches the letters of James and Jude, the second letter of Peter, the second and third letters of John, and Revelation. Though he does not share such doubts himself [NOTE: Some doesn t sound like most ] NOTE: [Eusebius] is adamant that the Shepherd of Hermas, the Apocalypse of Peter [not to be confused with 2 Peter], the Acts of Paul (~ad 160), the Letter of Barnabas and the Didache are not genuine, that is, not of truly apostolic origin (Of course, Acts was not written by an apostle but this does not mean it didn t belong in the canon). www.christianhistoryinstitute.org 10
Allegation #1, which asserts that the books chosen to be in the Bible were selected arbitrarily and long after they were written proves to be invalid But what about all those alleged errors in the Bible?? (please stay tuned for part 2) 11
12 END OF PART 1