Roman Sources Pliny: Letters from Bithynia c. AD112 Pliny, sent to administrate the disorderly province of Bithynia by Emperor Trajan, wrote to the Emperor seeking advice on how to deal with a troublesome group known as “Christians”. Pliny complained that “many of all ages and every rank and also of both sexes” were involved in…
The word “canon” applied to Scripture means “an officially accepted list of books”. The word is derived from the Greek word Kanon, meaning ‘reed’. A reed was used as a measuring rod, and the word eventually came to mean “standard”. When we speak of the Christian canon of Scripture we are referring to the universally…
The Original New Testament Writings and Documents Unlike the Old Testament, which was compiled over several thousand years, the New Testament was compiled within one lifetime, comprising of the historical accounts of the gospel writers, Matthew, Mark, Luke and John, and the correspondence of the apostles with the early church body. These early manuscripts would…
In our previous sessions we considered some of the evidences which indicate the supernatural Source of the Scriptures. In the sessions to follow we will not be considering the inspiration of the Scriptures, but their historical reliability. We will be looking at the texts themselves. How did we receive them? Are they authentic? Can we…
All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness,” 2Timothy 3:16 NKJV The Scriptures are ‘God-breathed’. God revealed Himself to mankind in many ways and at various times (Hebrews 1:1). These revelations were then recorded, and have become collectively what we know today…
The Nature of God’s Word is also revealed to us through the many symbolic pictures that scripture paints. God likens His Word to many things. Each reveals a facet of truth regarding it. The following list is based on Kevin Conner’s ‘Foundations of Christian Doctrine” titled “The Symbols of the inspired book”: A. Fire…
