Think Biblically: Conversations on Faith & Culture How Did We Get the Bible We Have Today? (with Michael Kruger)
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Nov 2, 2023 Michael Kruger, an internationally known New Testament scholar, discusses the formation of the New Testament canon and the confidence we have in the books we have today. They explore the evolution of the canon discussion, the debate over including certain books, the role of the Holy Spirit in recognizing the canon, addressing doubts about the New Testament content, and recommended resources to understand the reliability of the Bible.
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College Class Sparked A Lifelong Study
- Michael Kruger became interested in the canon after a New Testament class at UNC shook his confidence in the Bible.
- That encounter with Bart Ehrman propelled him into graduate study and a career on canon formation.
Apocryphal Gospels Often Mix Sources
- Early apocryphal gospel manuscripts often mix canonical gospel material with additional sayings.
- Such mixtures were common in the second century and don't automatically indicate those works were regarded as scripture.
Bottom-Up Apostolic Recognition
- Kruger contrasts a top-down council model with a bottom-up apostolic recognition model for canon formation.
- He argues the New Testament books were recognized early because apostles authored and authorized them, not imposed later by councils.