The Jimmy Akin Podcast #032 5 Books that Almost Made It into the Bible - Jimmy Akin
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May 9, 2025 Discover the fascinating history of how the Biblical canon was formed, revealing the complex process of discerning sacred texts. Explore five intriguing books that almost made it into the Bible, each with its own debates over authorship and theological significance. Dive into early Christian letters like Clement's and the Letter of Barnabas, weighing their merits and controversies. Learn how historical perspectives shaped the canon, contrasting early Christian beliefs with those of the Protestant Reformers.
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Canon Emerged Gradually
- The biblical canon formed gradually as the Church, guided by the Holy Spirit, discerned which books were authoritative.
- Early Christians debated which works belonged in Scripture rather than receiving an instant, fixed list.
Apostolic Origin Was Central
- The early Church judged books by apostolic origin or apostolic approval as the key criterion for canonicity.
- This raised gray areas about how far removed an author could be from the apostles and still be authoritative.
Didache Nearly Treated As Scripture
- The Didache circulated as "Teaching of the Apostles" and was popular in early churches, sometimes read as authoritative.
- By the early 300s, many doubted its apostolic authorship and Eusebius listed it as rejected.
