#147 Wes Huff gets THIS wrong about the Bible… - Joe Heschmeyer
Feb 20, 2025
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The discussion dives into misconceptions about the biblical canon, clarifying common misunderstandings around Catholic doctrine. It critiques the differences between Protestant and Catholic scriptures, revealing complexity in early Christian debates. Historical contexts of key councils are examined, as well as Jewish scholarly controversies surrounding texts. The fluidity of scriptural acceptance in early Christian communities is explored, shedding light on differing criteria for canonical inclusion and the evolving nature of accepted biblical texts.
Wes Huff's misconceptions about Catholic beliefs, particularly regarding the worship of saints, stem from a fundamental misunderstanding of doctrine.
The popular claim that the Catholic Church added books to the Bible during the Reformation overlooks pre-Reformation consensus on the 73-book canon.
Disagreements among early Christians concerning scriptural texts indicate a complex and diverse understanding of the biblical canon, contrary to Huff's assertions.
Deep dives
Wes Huff's Credentials and Mistakes
Wes Huff has gained recognition in Christian apologetics through successful debates, particularly against claims regarding the Bible, and an extensive interview on a popular platform. His extensive knowledge of biblical manuscript history impressed many, showcasing his intelligence and humility, especially when he readily acknowledged any mistakes made during discussions. However, when addressing Catholicism, he often makes fundamental errors that call into question the quality of his arguments. One key error involves his claim regarding the worship of saints, which is misleading and demonstrates a misunderstanding of Catholic doctrine.
Misconceptions About the Biblical Canon
Huff asserts that the Catholic Church added books during the Reformation to counter Protestant views, a claim that overlooks historical context. In fact, the consensus on the 73-book canon existed well before the Reformation, as evidenced by the Ecumenical Council of Florence in the 15th century. Furthermore, early Christians had varying views on which books should be included in the Bible, indicating that the question of canon was nuanced and not as clear-cut as suggested. Disputes regarding certain texts persisted long before the Protestant movement emerged, highlighting the complexity surrounding biblical canon formation.
The Early Christian Perspective
The argument that early Christians utilized Protestant scripture due to its alignment with the Jewish canon is challenged by historical evidence indicating a lack of consensus among early Christians. While some early figures did advocate for a return to the Hebrew Bible, many others utilized a more extensive canon that included the deuterocanonical books. This indicates a broader acceptance of various texts among early Christians than Huff proposes. Overall, the belief that a uniform set of scriptures existed among the early church fails to hold up against documented practices during that time.
Authority of the Jewish Canon
Huff's claim that the Jewish canon was definitively closed during the time of Jesus and corresponded to the Protestant Old Testament is refuted by evidence of a fluid canon among the Jewish community. Various sources indicate that the canon was in a state of flux as late as the second century, contradicting the assertion of a settled Hebrew Bible during Jesus's lifetime. The Septuagint, often referenced by early Christians, maintained a broader canon than the Protestant Bible, further complicating the narrative Huff presents. This historical ambiguity demonstrates the inconsistency in establishing a closed canon of scripture.
Disputed Contentions Among Early Christians
The discussions surrounding early Christian beliefs regarding the biblical canon reveal significant disagreements over which texts should be recognized as scripture. Prominent figures like Athanasius and Origen showed differing views on the necessity of adhering strictly to the Jewish canon or accepting a broader selection of writings valued by the Christian community. Statements made by early theologians suggest that the criteria for acceptance of texts were more aligned with their utility in the community rather than strict adherence to a singular Jewish tradition. Thus, the narrative that early Christians uniformly supported a limited canon akin to that of modern Protestantism simplifies a much richer historical reality.
Joe addresses some of the misconceptions spread about the cannon of Scripture by people like Wes Huff and Dr. John Meade. With Wes’s rise to popularity from his debate with Billy Carson and appearance on Joe Rogan, we thought it’d be good to correct some of his errors.
Transcript:
Joe:
Welcome back to Shameless Popery. I’m Joe, Heschmeyer, and I want to belatedly talk about some of the arguments that were made by Wes Huff, both because I think he’s worth responding to in his own right and because I think the errors that he’s spreading are the kind of errors...
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