Sunday Homilies with Fr. Mike Schmitz 06/01/25 Pillar and Foundation: Canon of Scripture
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May 31, 2025 Discussing the profound link between Scripture and the Church, the conversation dives into how the Church defines the biblical canon. It highlights the consensus around the New Testament and the complexities surrounding the Old Testament books, particularly those excluded by Martin Luther. Historical debates shed light on the authority of scripture, while underscoring the Church's role as the ultimate foundation of truth. The reflections on Jesus' teachings during the Solemnity of the Ascension provide a spiritual backdrop to these critical discussions.
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Church Defines Biblical Canon
- The Bible's table of contents listing the 73 books comes from the Church's tradition, not the Bible itself.
- Christianity existed for centuries before the official compilation of the Bible's canon by the Church.
Councils Affirm Bible's Books
- The Catholic Church officially declared the 73 books of the Bible as divinely inspired in councils between 382 and 397 AD.
- This recognition was not by human authority but a recognition of God's inspiration of these books.
Martin Luther Removes Books
- Martin Luther initially quoted the seven Deuterocanonical books but removed them from his Bible in 1520 after debating their theological implications.
- He appealed to the Jewish canon, which was established after Jesus and lacked these seven books, to justify his decision.