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So first lets talk about what is called at least in western Europe and the US THE 66 book Protestant canon (meaning in Greek ,measuring rod).
The oldest part of the Old Testament also called Tanakh in Hebrew is the Torah which means teachings.
This was given to Moses on Mt Sinai in the 15th century bce or around there and the dating is disputed somewhat but very ancient. This contain the books of Genesis, Exodus, Numbers and Deuteronomy.
Then there are the prophetic books also called the Nevi'im in Hebrew. These include from Joshua and Samuel through middle prophets like Isaiah and Jeremiah to later prophets like Malichi.
Then there is the writings or wisdom literature also known as the Ketuvim in Hebrew like Psalms, Proverbs and Ecclesiastes among others.
The Roman Catholic Old Testament includes other books like Maccabees or Tobit or a second book of Ezra. The Eastern Orthodox Church also has a similar canon. There is also most Oriental Orthodox Church which is very large.
so you ask why does the canon vary, different churches developed different traditions. The main reason that the Protestant canon varies is that it sticks with the original Hebrew text or the Tanakh and does not add other books of second Temple Jewish literature. The fact that some books are left out is that they are primarily historical and lack theological content. Like for instance the book of Jubilees which was written by second Temple Ethiopian Jews which gives a complex history of the early world before and a bit after the flood. However the main canon did not include this book mainly because it is a historical account without much theology, and the same with Maccabees. Or more esoteric books like Enoch which are popular with high level Biblical scholars but are not recommended for every day reading by lay people. Some books are disputed as to their authenticity like the Book of Jasher (meaning upright). I would say most protestants would not say books unique the Catholic or Orthodox canons are bad or heretical but are not pragmatic for common reading and reserved for scholars and such.
Are there books left out of the canon that are heretical? Yes , things like the Gospel of Marcion or Thomas or the Gospel of Mary Magdalene among others. These were deemed to be forged attempts at new Gospels.
There are also commentary books like Mishnah, Talmud or Midrash rabah. These books are mainly commentaries on scripture and records of Rabbinical opinions and things like that.
The New Testament which was written from the time shortly after Jesus died and resurrected to about 90-95 ce or ad .
You have the four Gospels, which Gospel is middle English for good spell meaning good news. This was translated from the Greek word Euangelion of the same meaning.
The Gospels of Matthew, Mark and Luke tell the life of Jesus from three different perspectives and Johns Gospel is more spiritual and more about the nature of Jesus. The book of Acts is a history of the early Church.
Then are the 13 letters of Paul which are:
So some final thoughts on the meaning of divine inspiration. Did the Bible and its 66 canonical books fall from heaven. Or did a prophet go into a trance and wake up three hours later saying " I just wrote the book of Isaiah" , no not really ,it did not work like that.
Holy Scripture was a collaboration between a prophet and the Holy spirit and God created people and their life experiences for a special purpose that one day they would one day execute. For instance look at the great detail that the book of Matthew gives to the life of Jesus and Matthew was a tax collector and a tax collector would have been very good a keeping detailed records Moses was the only prophet that spoke with God directly. Most other prophets wrote their own thoughts or visions that were guided by the Holy Spirit.
This here is great resource if you want to get more familiar with the Bible
www.biblegateway.com
It has many translations and languages and for beginners at least in English the New King James Version (NKJV) or the English Standard Version (ESV) are a good start.
The oldest part of the Old Testament also called Tanakh in Hebrew is the Torah which means teachings.
This was given to Moses on Mt Sinai in the 15th century bce or around there and the dating is disputed somewhat but very ancient. This contain the books of Genesis, Exodus, Numbers and Deuteronomy.
Then there are the prophetic books also called the Nevi'im in Hebrew. These include from Joshua and Samuel through middle prophets like Isaiah and Jeremiah to later prophets like Malichi.
Then there is the writings or wisdom literature also known as the Ketuvim in Hebrew like Psalms, Proverbs and Ecclesiastes among others.
The Roman Catholic Old Testament includes other books like Maccabees or Tobit or a second book of Ezra. The Eastern Orthodox Church also has a similar canon. There is also most Oriental Orthodox Church which is very large.
- Old Testament Additions: Includes 1 Enoch, Jubilees, 1-3 Meqabyan (Ethiopian Maccabees, distinct from Catholic/Orthodox Maccabees), 3 Ezra (Second Ezra), and 4 Ezra (Ezra Sutu'el).
so you ask why does the canon vary, different churches developed different traditions. The main reason that the Protestant canon varies is that it sticks with the original Hebrew text or the Tanakh and does not add other books of second Temple Jewish literature. The fact that some books are left out is that they are primarily historical and lack theological content. Like for instance the book of Jubilees which was written by second Temple Ethiopian Jews which gives a complex history of the early world before and a bit after the flood. However the main canon did not include this book mainly because it is a historical account without much theology, and the same with Maccabees. Or more esoteric books like Enoch which are popular with high level Biblical scholars but are not recommended for every day reading by lay people. Some books are disputed as to their authenticity like the Book of Jasher (meaning upright). I would say most protestants would not say books unique the Catholic or Orthodox canons are bad or heretical but are not pragmatic for common reading and reserved for scholars and such.
Are there books left out of the canon that are heretical? Yes , things like the Gospel of Marcion or Thomas or the Gospel of Mary Magdalene among others. These were deemed to be forged attempts at new Gospels.
There are also commentary books like Mishnah, Talmud or Midrash rabah. These books are mainly commentaries on scripture and records of Rabbinical opinions and things like that.
The New Testament which was written from the time shortly after Jesus died and resurrected to about 90-95 ce or ad .
You have the four Gospels, which Gospel is middle English for good spell meaning good news. This was translated from the Greek word Euangelion of the same meaning.
The Gospels of Matthew, Mark and Luke tell the life of Jesus from three different perspectives and Johns Gospel is more spiritual and more about the nature of Jesus. The book of Acts is a history of the early Church.
Then are the 13 letters of Paul which are:
- Romans
- 1 Corinthians
- 2 Corinthians
- Galatians
- Ephesians
- Philippians
- Colossians
- 1 Thessalonians
- 2 Thessalonians
- 1 Timothy
- 2 Timothy
- Titus
- Philemon
So some final thoughts on the meaning of divine inspiration. Did the Bible and its 66 canonical books fall from heaven. Or did a prophet go into a trance and wake up three hours later saying " I just wrote the book of Isaiah" , no not really ,it did not work like that.
Holy Scripture was a collaboration between a prophet and the Holy spirit and God created people and their life experiences for a special purpose that one day they would one day execute. For instance look at the great detail that the book of Matthew gives to the life of Jesus and Matthew was a tax collector and a tax collector would have been very good a keeping detailed records Moses was the only prophet that spoke with God directly. Most other prophets wrote their own thoughts or visions that were guided by the Holy Spirit.
This here is great resource if you want to get more familiar with the Bible
BibleGateway.com: A searchable online Bible in over 150 versions and 50 languages.
Read, hear, and study Scripture at the world's most-visited Christian website. Grow your faith with devotionals, Bible reading plans, and mobile apps.
It has many translations and languages and for beginners at least in English the New King James Version (NKJV) or the English Standard Version (ESV) are a good start.
