I Need Humility Not Intellectism

I know you have not heard from us for a while. We are busy with studies; however, I thought we should share this aspect of our life too, even though it is not as fun as weekend vacations. Here is an excerpt from a discussion reply I had in Seminary school (we have to write in third person [scholarly types likey this]):

This classmate’s evaluation of the canonization of the New Testament offers good points, and significant agreement must be taken and explained. The topic of canonization brings up more question than answers. What comes first faith in Christ or belief in the inspiration of the Bible? This is a chicken or the egg question.

Generally, it is Protestant, evangelical churches’ presupposition or doctrine that the Bible is the inspired Word of God and that the term “Bible” is limited to the sixty-six books of the canon. Paul is clear when he says, "All Scripture is given by inspiration of God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; so that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work." (2 Timothy 3:16-17 NASB). Inspired is synonymous with God-breathed, which is used in the NIV Bible; therefore, the origin of action is God, not man. This poses a question. When a pastor prays that he preach God’s words, not his words, does that make his sermon God inspired?

Nonetheless, historically the Third Council of Carthage seems to have sanctioned the twenty-seven books of the New Testament. “The Third Council of Carthage (397), attended by Augustine, recognized the twenty-seven New Testament books, and thereafter in the West there was little deviation from that stance.”1 In addition, the Eastern church did not recognize the books of 2 Peter, 2 and 3 John, and Jude; and the Ethiopian church recognized the twenty-seven books and added eight others.2 Thus, man seems to be the authority over the Bible based on the history of different Christian churches picking and choosing which books comprise their Bible.

In conclusion, the scholarly study of canonization raises more questions than answers. Is our generation similar to Job and using what is not understood as an excuse for not trusting God? “You [God] asked, ‘Who is this that obscures my counsel without knowledge?’ Surely I [Job] spoke of things I did not understand, things too wonderful for me to know.” (Job 42:3 NIV). Thus, believers should believe the Holy Bible is God-breathed based on faith, not over intellectualizing. Perhaps believers should seek more opportunities for growth in humility, and fewer opportunities for intellectualizing.

1 D.A. Carson and Douglas J. Moo., An Introduction to the New Testament (Grand Rapids, Michigan: Zondervan, 2005), 735.

2 Carson and Moos, 735.