4-Transmission & Preservation of the Text,pt2

The Bible is actually 1 book from 1 divine author, though it was written over a period of fifteen hundred years through the pens of over 40 men. Beginning with the creation account in Genesis 1-2, written by Moses around 1405 PB, & extending to the account of eternity future in Revelation 21-22, written by the apostle John around AD 95, God progressively revealed Himself & His purposes in the inspired Scriptures. But how can one know which supposed sacred writings were to be included in the canon of Scripture & which ones were to be excluded. Laird Harris, concerning the Pentateuch, said "Ancient Israel believed that Moses wrote it as the spokesman for God. There is no dissenting voice. And is it not clear that this is precisely why ancient Israel received it as authoritative, i.e., canonical? It was not canonized because of its antiquity, linguistic phenomena, beautiful style, royal imposition, or ecclesiastical decision. The principle for canonizing the Pentateuch which guided ancient Israel, as far as we have any evidence at all, is, 'Was it from God's great spokesman, Moses?' The human author, admitted by all to be a spokesman for the divine Author, guaranteed the writing" (Inspiration & Canonicity of Scripture). So if you have ever wondered why some people have books in their Bibles which are not in ours (like the Apocrypha), join us for midweek Bible study as we continue to study "Transmission & Preservation of the Text",pt2.