Can we trust that the Bible we have is the Bible God wanted us to have? Read the related RENEW.org article, "How Did We Get Our Bible?": https://renew.org/how-did-we-get-our-bible/ Get the book Real Life Theology Conversations: https://renew.org/rltc/ On this episode of Family Conversations, Collin Mathies and Caitlyn Rozenboom talk with Bobby Harrington and Jordan Arnold about one of the biggest questions parents and students ask: where did our Bible come from, and can we trust it? This conversation focuses on canonization, the process by which God's people recognized the writings that carried divine authority. Bobby explains that "canon" means measuring rod, and that Scripture is the measuring rod for truth, doctrine, salvation, and how God calls us to live. Jordan defines canonization as recognizing which books the church, aided by the Holy Spirit, received as "thus saith the Lord." Bobby traces the historical case from Jesus to the apostles, from Acts 2 to Paul's letters, and through early Christian witnesses like Clement of Rome, Ignatius of Antioch, and Polycarp of Smyrna. Long before any council met, the apostolic word was already functioning as authority in the church. Bobby also quotes J.I. Packer: church authorities no more gave us the Bible than Isaac Newton gave us gravity. They recognized an authority that already existed. The conversation also covers the four criteria the early church used to recognize canonical books, why some books were disputed, what Athanasius listed in AD 367, what the Council of Carthage affirmed in 397, and why the Gospel of Thomas and other Gnostic writings were rejected. Jordan closes by reminding families that they can have confidence that the Bible they hold is the Bible God wants them to have. Family practice for this week: if you have a spare Bible in your home, pray about who to give it to, then give it away. Download the RENEW.org app: https://renew.org/renew-app/ Join us at the next RENEW.org Gathering: https://renew.org/resources/events/ Key Highlights 0:00 The apostolic word created the church 2:00 Why first and final authority decides everything 4:00 What canonization means and why it matters 8:00 Jesus, the apostles, and the Holy Spirit 12:00 Clement, Ignatius, and Polycarp 18:00 The four criteria for recognizing canon 22:30 Athanasius in AD 367 and Carthage in 397 26:40 Why the Gospel of Thomas was rejected 31:30 The Bible God wants you to have 35:30 Family practice: give a Bible away Visit RENEW.org to sign up for our email newsletter and be the first to know about new content, books and resources. https://renew.org/ Check out the following from RENEW.org: Events: https://renew.org/resources/events/ Videos: https://renew.org/media/videos/ Podcasts: https://renew.org/media/podcasts/ Articles: https://renew.org/articles/ Free eBooks: https://renew.org/resources/free-ebooks/ Books: https://renew.org/resources/books/ Audiobooks: https://renew.org/resources/audiobooks/ Sermon Tools: https://renew.org/resources/sermon-tools/ Job Board: https://jobs.renew.org/ Renew University: https://renewuniversity.org/ Real Life Theology Conversations: https://renew.org/rltc/ Sign up for our newsletter: https://renew.org/resources/newsletter-sign-up/ Be sure to like, subscribe and follow on social media! You can find us on: Instagram: @the.renew.network Facebook: Renew.org Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@RENEWnetwork Twitter: @therenewnetwork TikTok: the.renew.network Rumble: https://rumble.com/c/RENEW
