Lost books of the bible (Full Version)

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neetchym -> Lost books of the bible (6/25/2008 11:23:36 PM)

I have been trying to get my dad to come to church and accept Christ into his heart. In doing so, my father has come up with excuse after excuse (to make himself feel better) I have tried and usually successfully answered most of his "questions" and/or doubts. But his latest things is a show he saw on PBS about the "Lost Books of the Bible." I found a copy of the book by the same name and have read 1/4 of it. I went on the Answers in Genesis website and found an article called "why 66" which is referring too why were the 66 books of the bible chose. I am so confused by this all. Does anyone know why (or even if) these "lost" books were left out of the bible. Verse to back it up would be helpful for my father. Thanks[sm=icon_smile_fish.gif]



KnowJesus -> RE: Lost books of the bible (6/26/2008 12:10:26 AM)

Neetchym...hears some handy information I found for you. I hope this helps to set him straight on the subject
Here you go

I'm editing to tell you had a problem with the link, could be my laptop. So here is the link, once more http://www.carm.org/questions/lost_books.htm...If this doesn't work go to Carm.org and find there info on the Bible and the question about the so called lost books is there. Sorry, for any inconvience.



BibleL7 -> RE: Lost books of the bible (6/26/2008 12:35:36 AM)

You will not find verses in Bible to address these books for they were written after the Biblical canon. You will find that the books they are talking about most of the time when they say lost books of the bible are not lost books nor were they ever considered books for Christians. Most of the books talked about are gnostic books. The Gnostic's wrote many books which were found in past 50 years or so. The Gnostic's were people that thought the way to God was through knowledge of secrets not in the Bible. Some claimed that Jesus did not come in the flesh for God could not have flesh as it is evil. Others believed that Jesus was not God but a man who God chose to use. The books are fiction and do not agree with the Bible. Those books were never considered for the Bible so it is a lie that they were taken out or left out cause they disprove the Gospels. Pray for your father often and continue witnessing to him of the Gospel, he needs to hear Gods word from you. You will not be able to convince him by answering all the questions he has only by hearing the truth will he come to know the Lord.



Gazingstock -> RE: Lost books of the bible (6/26/2008 7:36:01 AM)

I have had the book you are referring to on my shelf for a long time. I find it amusing. A few of the books are more credible than others. The Book of Enoch (not included) for example was found in the Dead Sea scrolls and has proven to be older than the New Testament. Many people felt it was the later work of Gnostic's, but that turned out to be a false assumption.

This is a subject that shakes the faith of some, but I urge that you pray and consider these words: Do not trouble yourself over it. I do not find that these books agree with my spirit, more than just a little bit, and neither did most of the early Saints. Ignore them if you like, read them if you want, but do not be troubled by them at all.

The Epistle of Barnabas is especially solid, and a few people felt that it should be included. Here is a brief quote:

"For which cause brethern, I also think verily that I love you above my own soul: because that therein dwelleth the greatness of faith and charity, as also the hope of that life which is to come." -Barn 1:5

The Book of Enoch reveals some physical phenomena that was unknown at the time, such as the moon reflecting the light of the sun. While it starts very strong, it seems to trail off and become foggy near the end. Take them for what they are worth, at best, partly inspired books. Or leave them alone as the early church decided to do in the vast majority.



BerianAardvark -> RE: Lost books of the bible (6/26/2008 9:30:32 AM)

This site has a fairly good overview of how the canon of scripture came into being.
http://www.ntcanon.org/index.shtml

The canon came into being basically because there needed to be a list of what was and wasn't considered inspired scripture, lest anyone with access to a crayon and a surface that could be written on be able to declare what they wrote to be scripture.

The selection of canon was inspired, or it was merely the choice by the early church of those books that most closely reflected their beliefs, does it matter which?
If inspired then we have no right to change it by including other material.

If it was as a result of decisions as to what most closely reflected the beliefs of the early church, are we wiser than they, or has God's message and intent changed?

Admittedly it was not always as simple a choice as do we include the Gospel of Mark or "Pee Wee's adventures in God Land"? But those choices were made and had to be made in order that people like Marcion who rejected all of the Gospels (except a highly edited version of Luke) and ten of Paul's letters (also highly edited).

He then set up his own church based upon his "authentic" Gospel. (I know that sort of thing doesn't happen today, but it did back then.)

The development of the canon was already underway by the time of Marcion (he first half of the 2nd century), and his attempt to set up his own canon accelerated the process.

As one scholar put it: "Marcion forced more orthodox Christians to examine their own presuppositions and to state more clearly what they already believed".

Hope this helps a bit,
Tim



e.barrett -> RE: Lost books of the bible (6/26/2008 10:12:26 AM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: BibleL7

You will not find verses in Bible to address these books for they were written after the Biblical canon. You will find that the books they are talking about most of the time when they say lost books of the bible are not lost books nor were they ever considered books for Christians. Most of the books talked about are gnostic books.

I agree.

Most people assume that just because they never heard about something, or they didn't know about it, that it was "lost" or intentionally hidden. But that's rarely the case. Look at that "lost" tribe that hit the news a few weeks ago. Turns out it wasn't lost at all, and researchers knew exactly where they were. The only reason they were called "lost" was due to a publicity stunt.

The same thing happens with these so-called "lost books". They weren't lost, they were thrown away.



4IMPersuaded -> RE: Lost books of the bible (6/26/2008 11:40:01 AM)

I have struggled with how to answer this question, too. Usually it is from my women friends who are hypersensitive to the atrocities perpetrated to our gender at the hands of men in centuries past. How, then, could these flawed men write the inspired word of God and later, how could the oppressive church leaders be trusted to identify God's Word in its entirety.

I have come up with the only two answers that I can give. First, in terms of the authenticity of God's Word as the Bible we read today... Test it, read it, see what it has to say-- not what someone says it says. You find agreement from the OT to the NT and forshadowing of the Messiah from the beginning. Second, God is sovereign and I am not. I am not called to defend the faith or the Word, so my choice is to believe or not. I choose to believe based upon the effect of God's Word on my life. I have seen Him to be faithfull in all things, loving and good. I have to trust that He had it under control then in the lives of those who sought Him as He does in my life now.



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