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Shameless Popery

#83 How were the books of The Bible decided? A Catholic Critique of Protestant Claims - Joe Heschmeyer

Jun 27, 2024
Joe Heschmeyer, a speaker on biblical texts, dives into the intriguing questions of who decided which books belong in the Bible and whether modern Christians have the right ones. He compares the Protestant canon of 66 books with the Catholic acceptance of 73, while addressing misconceptions about scripture's authority. The discussion highlights the historical context behind the canonization process and delves into how early Christians viewed scripture, challenging conventional beliefs. Historical significance, particularly the inclusion of texts like 1 Maccabees, also makes for a fascinating exploration.
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Quick takeaways

  • The podcast highlights the differing views on biblical authority, stressing the Catholic belief that the Church recognizes inspired texts rather than granting them authority.
  • Joe Heschmeyer discusses the historical fluidity surrounding the Old Testament canon, challenging the Protestant assertion of a completed Tanakh by 450 BC.

Deep dives

The Compilation of the Bible

The discussion revolves around how the Bible was compiled, specifically the 66 books of the Protestant Bible versus the 73 books of the Catholic Bible. There are seven books that are included in the Catholic canon but omitted in Protestant versions, including Tobit and Judith. This raises questions about the historical decisions made regarding which texts were recognized as authoritative scripture, prompting a deeper inquiry into the origins and validity of the books in the Bible. Understanding this process challenges the assumption that Protestant versions contain the complete and accurate representation of God’s Word.

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