In the fifth and final chapter of Kruger’s book The Question of Canon he considers some of the vulnerabilities in what he regards as the most prominent tenet of the extrinsic model of canon. Few issues will raise as much discussion as dating the New Testament canon. When did the New Testament writings first begin … Continue reading The Date of Canon
The Authors of the Canon
In his work The Question of Canon, Michael Kruger has been demonstrating how the five basic tenets of the extrinsic model of canon are problematic. The extrinsic model being that the canon of Scripture was determined at a later date by the church to meet their needs. In chapter four he engages with the claim … Continue reading The Authors of the Canon
The Writing of Canon
In this third chapter of Kruger’s book The Canon Question, he addresses the third major tenet of the extrinsic model. It argues Christians were “reticent to use written documents and that therefore the idea of a NT canon would have been a late phenomenon.” The reasons for this argument are in bold with responses underneath. … Continue reading The Writing of Canon
The Origins of Canon
Outspoken critic of scriptural inerrancy James Barr questioned the idea of the New Testament’s necessity for existence. “The idea of a Christian faith governed by Christian written holy scriptures was not an essential part of the foundation plan of Christianity”, said Barr. In the extrinsic model of canon (view that canon is a product of … Continue reading The Origins of Canon
Defining Canon
Defining Canon How did we get our Bible? It begins with understanding the term canon. And in the canon debate, there is scholarly discussion searching for consensus for a working definition. Does canon mean books used by early Christians, books that functioned as Scripture, or those books included in a final closed list? These are … Continue reading Defining Canon
The Dangers of Biblicism
Biblicism at face value comes across as an honorable and proper approach to reading Scripture. What exactly is “biblicism”? Dr Lane Tipton gives an helpful definition of biblicism is any approach to reading Scripture, that does not take the creeds and confessions of the church, (the Reformed confessions of the church) as normed norms that … Continue reading The Dangers of Biblicism
God is Truth and His Word is True
When Christians speak on the authority of Scripture we generally use two terms infallibility and inerrancy. These terms are not only descriptions of Scripture but testify to the work of God in revealing himself. We confess that God is absolutely trustworthy and powerful therefore when he reveals himself he does it in a way that … Continue reading God is Truth and His Word is True
