What is your "biblical" canon? (ritual, reject, Torah)

[No*s]

1). What books constitute your Bible? -- Several religions have a set of books that are guides to their thoughts, and they don't have to be the sole source of religious truth. They simply act as a rule by which you measure your beliefs/actions for guidance.

2). Why do you accept these? -- For what reason do you consider them authoritative and not others? In the New Testament, for instance, why accept 3 John but reject the Didache, or in the Old Testament why accept Esther but reject I Enoch? I'm looking for something beyond "It's God's word." How do we know without assuming it from the beginning?

3). Which versions/variants do you accept, and why? -- Any hand-copied book is going to change over the years, and so, many variants emerge. What variant do you favor?

4). Is this holy book your sole source of authority, and if so, have you bypassed all interpreters (including translators), and is your method of determining which books/variants specified by the book itself?

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My answers:

1). I accept the New Testament common to all Christians. The Old Testament contains all the books of the Protestant Old Testament (or Hebrew Bible), but also includes 1-3 Maccabees, Judith, 3 Esdras, the Wisdom of Solomon, the Wisdom of Sirach, Baruch, and Tobit. There are traditions that also cause me to hold 4 Maccabees and 4 Esdras in high regard.

2). Why? Because this is the standard canon that was passed down in the Church, and I accept the Bible on her authority.

3). For the NT, I tend to favor the traditional text handed down by the Church. However, I make extensive use of the Nestle-Aland text, which is somewhat different. For the Old Testament, I use the LXX. It was the Bible of the Apostles, and has remained the Bible of the Orthodox Church, and is considered the primary standard.

It has several quirks, which include Is. 7.14 (for Christians), 151 Psalms, additions to Ezra and Daniel, a significantly shorter Job, and a Jeremiah that is likewise shorter and in a very different order, and several other small changes (such as God finishing creation on the sixth day...not the seventh, and then resting on the seventh).

4). No, I have the authority of the Church, and that's how I know what books are in the Bible. I can also gain spiritual guidance from other Christians, the Traditions of the Church, other Jewish writings circulating in the First Century, the Divine Liturgy, and so on. All of these I am to understand under the guidance of the Church.

[jewscout]

1) the Tanach...which is the Torah, the Prophets, and the Writings
2) Personally...i accept these writings because they are the collected knowledge and "history" of the Hebrew people. Officially...the Torah is divine revelation. I also find that the Torah is not just a document but it grows and changes with us in our lives...i can find problems in my own life reflected in the Torah and it's commentaries...it can be really creepy
3) i like the Stone Tanach i have at home...Stone Tanach and Chumashes are my favorite!
4) I also read the commentary and there are several supplements that Rachel's family has that i use to get more out of the weekly portions

[No*s]

Understandable Jewscout .

[Scuba Pete]

I don't have a canon, but I do carry a sword. Does that count?

[No*s]

Yes, but I carry a light sabre .

[BUDDY]

The origin of what is universally recognized as the Holy Bible, is simply a compilation of writtings put together by what was to become the Catholic Church. They got together and over the course of several years, decided what was commonly agreed to be the inspired writings. Since that event occured there have been many who have tried to say that this book or that book or letter should have been included. In my opinion, it seems fom research, that what we have is most commonly known throughout history as the holy writings. The fact that they were put all together in one book does not diminish there importance, but verifies the fact that God has provided, through divine intervention, a more excellent way to study his word. Plus, regardless of what is left out, it does have in it what is needed for righteaous living.

BTW - I think the Bible should be a guide into how we live, as well as our thoughts.

[Scuba Pete]

EEWRED,

you and I agree completely on this... but then I go to a coC as well (West Orange in Orlando). Welcome to the board!