How can i be sure that the right books were included in the bible?

About the Bible?, All Questions

How can I be sure that the right books were included in the bible?

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Bible,   All Questions

Last Updated

Jan 22, 2025

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Many people question whether the right books were added to the Bible during its canonization (compilation), and if God  did indeed inspire all of them? Concerns also arise about books discovered post-canonization that were not included.

So is the Bible we have today complete and authorized by God?

Bruce Metzger, a renowned scholar from Princeton University, insightfully stated that, "the canon is a list of authoritative books more than it is an authoritative list of books.” What he implied is that the early Christians did not determine what should be in the Bible rather they discovered what books were ‘inspired’ by God and only put those in the Bible. They did so by asking the following questions:

      • Was it written by an acclaimed prophet of God?
      • Was the writing confirmed by the acts of God or by someone who was an established eyewitness? For example, Paul, who witnessed the resurrected Jesus and performed miracles, worked closely with Luke, who carefully investigated and interviewed multiple eyewitnesses to write his account.Was it widely accepted by the people of God?

Further, the approved 66 books that were canonized also met the following criteria:

      • They were recorded during the lives of the apostles’.
      • They were acknowledged by the early church fathers as authoritative.
      • They were collected in a single volume, not as scattered manuscripts.
      • They were publicly read and explained, not hidden or exclusive to a few people.
      • They were commentaries written on these books, which means they had to be thoroughly studied.
      • They were acknowledged by opponents who admitted that that the gospels were written by the disciples.

In some way, all of the 66 books of the Bible we have today meet one or more of these criteria.

In addition, people question the inclusion of certain Apocryphal books (covered in the next question)  and  recent discoveries like the "Gospel of Thomas" and "Gospel of Judas.” However these were later found to be forgeries, not written during the apostles’ lifetimes (written during the second century), failing to meet the early church’s criteria for canonicity.

The rigorous and spiritually guided process of canonization assures us that the Bible we have today is complete and authoritative. The 66 books of the Bible meet the stringent criteria set by early Christian Church, affirming their divine inspiration and historical reliability.

The 66 books of the Bible were carefully recognized as divinely inspired through rigorous criteria, affirming their completeness, historical reliability, and authority as God's Word.

what does it mean to blaspheme the Holy Spirit

About the Holy Spirit, All Questions

What does it mean to blaspheme the Holy Spirit?

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Holy Spirit,   All Questions

Last Updated

Jan 12, 2025

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The question of what it means to blaspheme the Holy Spirit arises from a profound statement made by Jesus in the Gospel of Mark.

Mark 3:28-29 (NKJV)

"Assuredly, I say to you, all sins will be forgiven the sons of men, and whatever blasphemies they may utter; but he who blasphemes against the Holy Spirit never has forgiveness, but is subject to eternal condemnation."

This verse often raises concerns among believers about the nature and implications of this sin leading many to feel concerned for their eternal safety as they may have unknowingly blasphemed the Holy Spirit.

To grasp the depth of Jesus' words, it is essential to understand the context in which He spoke them. Jesus was addressing the Pharisees who, despite witnessing His miracles and teachings, accused Him of being in league with Satan. This accusation was not just a rejection of Jesus but a direct affront to the Holy Spirit's work. The Pharisees, who had clear evidence of Jesus' divine nature, chose to attribute His miraculous works, which were in fact acts of the Holy Spirit, to demonic powers. This deliberate misattribution constituted the blasphemy against the Holy Spirit.

What made their sin unpardonable was the finality of it; it was a deliberate expression of coldhearted unbelief. The Pharisees' hearts were hardened; they were unwilling to accept Jesus as the Messiah, regardless of the evidence before them. This stubborn unbelief, exemplified by a total rejection of the Holy Spirit's testimony to Christ, is what Jesus warns against.

In more ways than one, the Pharisees had evidence of  Jesus’ claim to be God incarnate, even more than anyone else because they knew the Old Testament prophecies. Their hearts, however, were fixed and stubborn; no matter what Jesus said or did, they did not accept Him.

In the modern context, this concept remains relevant. While many may reject Christ, the continual, conscious denial of the Holy Spirit's work and conviction about Jesus represents a serious spiritual condition. It's not a matter of a single incident of doubt or sin but a sustained refusal to acknowledge and repent.

In this light, the unforgivable nature of this sin is not because God is unwilling to forgive, but because the individual guilty of such sin has irrevocably hardened their heart against God's grace. R.C. Sproul notes that worrying about having committed this sin is often an indication that one has not, as those who commit it are typically so hardened that they do not care about their sin.

In conclusion, the understanding of blaspheming the Holy Spirit emphasizes the severity of persistent and knowing rejection of the Holy Spirit's work and testimony about Christ. It is a deliberate and continuous condition, not a single act, and is marked by a hardened heart that is unrepentant and indifferent to the Spirit's convicting power.

WHEN A PERSON LOSES THE CAPACITY TO REPENT, THEY CANNOT BE SAVED, AND IT IS THIS SIN THAT A PERSON CANNOT BE FORGIVEN BECAUSE THEY HAVE REJECTED THE SPIRIT THAT CONVICTS THEM OF SIN.

What does it mean Jesus grew in wisdom?

About Jesus, All Questions

What does it mean that Jesus grew in wisdom?

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Jesus,   All Questions

Last Updated

Jan 9, 2025

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In the Gospel of Luke, the author states that Jesus “grew and became strong in Spirit, filled with wisdom, and the grace of God was upon Him (Luke 2:40). A few verses later; Luke also mentions that Jesus increased in wisdom and in stature and in favor with God and men (Luke 2:52).

These passages raise a profound question; How could Jesus,  who is God, grow in wisdom? Isn’t omniscience, the state of being all-knowing, an inherent characteristic of God?

In order to understand what this means, let's look at a few facts.

Firstly, it's essential to recognize that these verses affirm Jesus' humanity. This is an essential Christian doctrine that following the incarnation Jesus was both fully God and fully man.

This duality is critical in understanding the narrative of Jesus' life. His growth in wisdom isn't about the development of His divine nature but a testament to His genuine human experience.

We also learn that the Holy Spirit played a crucial role in Christ's physical, intellectual, and spiritual development as a human.

Unlike Adam, Jesus was not created as an adult; instead, He grew and developed like any other child, except that He did not possess any of the detriments of a sinful nature.

His development was so rapid and beautiful that, at the age of twelve, He amazed the teachers in the temple and everyone who heard Him.

Luke 2:47 (NKJV)

And all who heard Him were astonished at His understanding and answers.

Jesus’ earthly development in wisdom and understanding was an operation of the Holy Spirit resting upon Him.

Even Isaiah in the Old Testament prophesied concerning Jesus' development in;

Isaiah 11:2 (NKJV)

The Spirit of the Lord shall rest upon Him, The Spirit of wisdom and understanding, The Spirit of counsel and might, The Spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the Lord.

A key theological concept to grasp here is the idea of kenosis, based on Philippians 2:7, where Paul writes that Jesus "emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men." This 'emptying' did not mean Jesus ceased being God; rather, He voluntarily limited the independent use of certain divine attributes, like omniscience, to fully live out the human life. This voluntary limitation allowed Jesus to grow and learn as any human would, aligning with God's plan for His earthly ministry.

Simply put, Jesus did not cease being God or divest Himself of divine attributes in order to become man. Rather, He took on a human nature (in addition to His divinity and not a subtraction from His divinity) and submitted the use of His divine attributes  to the will of the Father.

Philippians 2:5-8 (NKJV)

Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men. And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross.

Therefore, there were times when His omniscience was on display (Matthew 9:4; John 2:24–25; 4:17–18; 11:11–14; 16:30) and other times when it was veiled by His humanity in accordance with the Father’s will (Mark 13:32).

Christ was therefore subject to the normal process of human growth—intellectually, physically, spiritually, and socially.

In conclusion, Jesus' growth in wisdom as described in Luke is a profound illustration of His complete humanity. While He never ceased to be fully divine, He embraced the human experience, including learning and growing in wisdom. This aspect of Jesus' life demonstrates His humility and identification with humanity, but also establishes Him as a Great High Priest, uniquely able to sympathize with out weaknesses (Hebrews 4:14-16).

Other related articles:

Is Jesus a created being?

How can Jesus be both God and man?

Why is Jesus called ‘Son of God’?

How can Jesus be co-equal to God when He said the Father is greater?

Christ was therefore subject to the normal process of human growth—intellectually, physically, spiritually, and socially.

What is the real meaning of Christmas?

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What is the real meaning of Christmas?

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Other questions,   All Questions

Last Updated

Feb 19, 2025

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The true meaning of Christmas is the celebration of the eternal love of God for all of humanity.

We hear a lot of stories about Christmas, but the real story is God becoming a human being through the person of Jesus Christ.

Humanity was in a fallen state, and so Jesus came to this world to pay the ultimate price for our sins and restore our relationship with the Father, 

Romans 5:8 (NIV)

But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

Christmas was necessary because we all needed a savior, and this is the good news that the angel told the shepherds who were out in the fields. 

LUKE 2:10-11 (NIV)

10. But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. 

11. Today in the town of David, a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord.

We celebrate the SAVIOR because we needed deliverance from our sins. 

We celebrate the Messiah because He fulfilled all that the law required and is a testament to everyone that all of God’s promises are yes and amen. 

We celebrate Jesus as the divine Lord, who, in His very humility, took on the role of a servant for our sake. 

This Christmas season, don’t look for presents under a tree but rather seek for His presence that will set you free.

Christmas is the celebration of God’s love—Jesus came to save, fulfill God’s promises, and bring us into His presence.

Does God not care about the millions of starving children in the world?

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Does God not care about the millions of starving children in the world?

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God,   All Questions

Last Updated

Jan 11, 2025

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The problem of hunger is real in our world today, and many children suffer from malnutrition. It's a common accusation that God, if He exists and cares, seems indifferent to this suffering. However, this perspective overlooks key truths.

Yes, the Bible teaches us that God is love, and Jesus Himself taught us that children are essential to God (Matthew 18:10). This divine love is not just a passive feeling but is actively demonstrated throughout the Bible, where God consistently seeks the wellbeing of His creation, especially the most vulnerable.

Yet, the reality of child hunger presents a stark contradiction that challenges our understanding of God’s nature.

So what went wrong? Why is there a contradiction between God's love for children and the fact that there is a real-world problem?

According to global statistics, the issue of hunger is not due to a lack of food. In fact, relief organizations and government agencies report that there is enough food produced worldwide to feed every person.

The problem is not the availability of food, but rather the accessibility to food. The fault does not lie with God, as there is enough food for everyone, but with man's corrupt nature. Societal issues such as unfair food distribution, economic inequalities, and political strife play significant roles in this accessibility problem.

God has appointed us as trustworthy stewards of the world's resources. Yet, as individuals, we often accumulate food or mismanage resources instead of seeing that others are fed or provided for. Our role as stewards involves not only responsible management of resources but also active efforts to ensure justice and provision for all, especially the impoverished and hungry.

God is not responsible for man's foolishness, nor is He accountable for selfishness, greed, pride, hatred, hoarding, cruelty, spite, or any other sin that contributes to world hunger. These human failings, stemming from sin, are the primary barriers to eradicating world hunger and are contrary to God's design for human society.

The scriptures also rightly emphasis that there is no unrighteousness in God:

Psalm 92:15 (NKJV)

To declare that the Lord is upright; He is my rock, and there is no unrighteousness in Him.

This affirmation of God's righteousness calls us, as His followers, to reflect His character in our actions and decisions, particularly in how we address the needs of the hungry and suffering.

The fact that God cares for the children is also proven by the fact that He sent His only Son to redeem us from the curse of sin. And He goes further by prompting the followers of Christ to help relieve world hunger. Globally, Christian missionaries and agencies provide for the basic needs of hungry children, acting as God's hands and feet;

Ephesians 2:10 (NKJV)

For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.

This scripture not only affirms our identity in Christ but also our calling to engage in good works, such as feeding the hungry and supporting those in need.

As Christians, we should not shy away from the issue of world hunger. Instead, we should rise to the challenge, using our resources, influence, and efforts to make a difference in the lives of those who suffer from hunger. In doing so, we become a living testament to the love and compassion of Christ, offering hope and practical help in a fallen world.

GOD HAS APPOINTED US AS TRUSTWORTHY STEWARDS OF THE WORLD’S RESOURCES

what does it mean Christianity is a relationship, not a religion?

All Questions, Christianity

What does it mean when said, "Christianity is relationship and not a religion?"

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Christianity,   All Questions

Last Updated

Feb 15, 2025

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The Christian faith is often described as a relationship with God through His Son, Jesus, rather than a religion. But what does this mean?

In general terms, 'religion' is seen as humans striving to reach up to God to become acceptable to Him. In stark contrast, Christianity presents a paradigm where God reaches down to humanity.

It is God who initiates this relationship, not us. As stated in 1 John 4:19 (NKJV), “We love because He first loved us.” This verse signifies that God's love precedes and enables our love for Him.

In His relationship with us, God sets a higher standard of love than what we typically know. John 15:13 (NKJV) says, “Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends.” This verse speaks volumes about the sacrificial nature of Jesus’ love and His ultimate sacrifice for our sins.

Following Jesus’ death and resurrection, the need for religious rituals to cleanse sin was abolished. Having a relationship with God transcends  common ritualistic spiritual behavior seen in other world religions. False religions are often tethered to strenuous rituals and traditions that make faith merely a chore rather than something to cherish.

We do not get to heaven because we are tagged as Christian. Rather, it is through a personal relationship with God, made possible through belief in Jesus Christ.

On a side note, God did not just become loving when He created humanity. The Scriptures state that “He is love”, it is part of His very being. This is possible because of the concept of the Trinity (1 God in 3 distinct persons - Father, Son, and Holy Spirit). In the Trinity there has always existed a loving relationship/community within the Godhead.

God now invites us into this community to fellowship and spend  an eternity with Him. If you are seeking a relationship with the creator of the universe, the Christian Faith and the Lord Jesus Christ offer a path not just to a religion, but to a life-transforming relationship.

Christianity is not about religion but a relationship—God reaching down to us through Jesus Christ in love.