Reasons against including the Apocrypha

Protestants raise the following points against raising the apocryphal books to the level of the Old Testament canon:

Jewish writers wrote the apocryphal books, but Jews themselves have never considered the Apocrypha to be part of their canon.

Jesus never quotes or alludes to the apocryphal books.

New Testament references don’t indicate divine authority. Although the New Testament does include a couple references to apocryphal books, it never quotes them as scripture. For that matter, the New Testament also alludes to Greek pagan writings, but these references didn’t mean that the apostles believed them to be the Word of God.

Although some early Christian leaders referenced the apocryphal books, each of the major Christian “fathers” before Augustine didn’t treat them as inspired.

No church listing of the Old Testament canon included the apocryphal books until after A.D. 325.

Protestants believe that Christians at the Council of Trent, where they officially canonized 11 of the 14 apocryphal books in the 16^th century, perhaps had mixed motives in the canonization process. The Council rejected an apocryphal book that supported the Protestant stance against the practice of praying for the dead, but included a book that supported the pro-Catholic position on purgatory. (See Chapter 9 for more on the issue of purgatory.)

 

In the end, no matter which perspective Christians subscribe to concerning the Apocrypha, they should keep the following points in mind. First, none of the core teachings of Christianity are contained in these debatable books. Christians universally accept the New Testament and core Old Testament books. Second, disputable matters that the Apocrypha causes are perhaps best left as side issues. So Christians should, as the old saying goes, “Major on the majors and minor on the minors.” 

Reading the Bible Appropriately

If you ask people where in their house they keep a Bible, you get some revealing answers. Some people, who think of their Bible much like a favourite pair of worn slippers, rattle off a response right away. Others have to think about their answer for a minute, but then they tell you which shelf they last put it on. A final group, however, has a different response: They talk about a quest to find their Bible much like Indiana Jones would tell of the trials of excavating a long lost, ancient artefact. 

Earlier in this chapter, I talk about that Bible on your bookshelf (or perhaps buried under rubble), but in this section I dust off the cover and open it up. I also show you several issues to keep in mind as you start to read what Christians call the written Word of God. One of the most important ideas to note is that Christians believe it’s way more than just a good book – it’s God’s message to humanity. 

Believing the Bible is inspired

Christians who believe in historical and biblical Christianity (refer to the Introduction for an explanation) say that the Bible is the inspired Word of God; in modern times, however, the inspired tag often gets a sceptical glance. Many intellectuals say that the Bible is an ordinary human book – its writings have good moral value, but people shouldn’t treat them as actually having come from God’s mouth. This is the perspective of so-called liberal Christians, who I discuss more in Chapter 11. 

But, frankly, the Christian faith is completely dependent on the Bible’s divine authority and reliability. That’s because everyone upon whom the Christian faith is based assumes the scriptures to be true and bases his teachings on this fact. If folks like Jesus, Paul, Peter, Moses, David, and Isaiah were wrong on this issue, then Christianity has no credibility, no legs to stand on. In other words, traditional, historical Christianity puts all its eggs into the inspired basket: If the Bible is inspired, then people must treat its commands and teachings seriously. But if it’s just a book of human ideas, then it may have some nice ideas to live by, but it’s not something to base your life on. 

Inspiration refers to the way that the Holy Spirit supernaturally guided the biblical authors to write, giving them special revelations from God. The Bible never discloses exactly how the Holy Spirit inspired the authors, but don’t think of it as a mechanical process. The authors didn’t simply become zombies and allow the Holy Spirit to take bodily control of them. Instead, by exploring the style of the books, you can see that the Holy Spirit clearly worked through each author’s unique writing talents, styles, and experiences. 

At the same time, the Bible indicates on several occasions that the words the authors used have significance. On more than one occasion, biblical authors make the point that God is concerned not only with broad concepts, but with the words being written as well. Exodus 24:4 says that Moses wrote down everything the Lord said. The prophet Jeremiah reported that God told him, “Do not omit a word.” Jesus himself pointed to particular Old Testament words when he said, “It is written” (Matthew 4:4, 7, and 10), a phrase that the New Testament authors reiterate dozens of times.

Most biblical Christians believe that every major spiritual concept taught in the Bible is invariably tied to an actual historical event. Adam and Eve, in the Garden of Eden, introduced sin into the world through a deliberate act. A worldwide flood, survived only by Noah and his family, demonstrated the first major judgment of sin. Jesus’ actual death and factual resurrection confirm the message of salvation he taught. And a specific event on Pentecost (described in Acts 2) inaugurated the coming of the Holy Spirit to guide Christians. Other Christians, though claiming that the Bible is inspired and reliable, allow for the possibility that some of the Old Testament stories are allegorical in nature rather than actual history.

Integrated Braid

Chunky braids situated just behind the ears create this cute and simple style that is great for keeping layered cuts in check when they’re active!



How to Style:

1. Part damp or dry hair over one eye.
2. Create a simple braid on each side by splitting the section into three parts, then braiding straight through to the ends.
3. Secure each braid with an elastic, then top with a colored cloth or other decorative elastic.
4. Finish with medium hold hairspray for extra control.

Recommended Products:
Paul Mitchell Fast Drying Sculpting Spray is a great flexible hold hairspray that can be layered for variable control.
Best Face Shapes:
Any face shape!

Long and Flowing

These beautiful blonde flowing locks are styled smooth for a classic, grown up feel.



How to Style:

1. Wring excess moisture from hair with a towel.
2. Use a large paddle brush to smooth hair as you blow dry.
3. Use a 1-1/2 inch barrel curling iron to add large curls to the ends of hair and bend the bangs under and to the side.
4. Finish with a flexible hold hair spray.

Recommended Products:
Try OSiS Elastic hair spray, a buildable hold style spray that will not flake.
Best Face Shapes:
Any face shape would look great with this hairstyle, though those with long faces may opt for a slightly shorter length to balance their face shape.

Pretty in Pigtails

Playtime is fun in pigtails that keep the hair out of her face while adding tons of volume.



How to Style:

1. Create a zig zag part down the middle from hairline to neck.
2. Secure hair with elastics in two pigtails on the top of the head.
3. Curl each pigtail with a 3/4-inch barrel curling iron.

Recommended Products:
Protect hair from hot tool heat when curling by first spraying with Paul Mitchell Hot Off the Press thermal protection spray.
Best Face Shapes:
Any face shape!

Side Swept Smile

This adorable chin length bob frames the face with a side-swept fringe and a bit of layering around the face.



How to Style:

1. Wring excess moisture from hair with a towel.
2. Working in horizontal sections from the bottom to the top, use a medium-sized round brush to add volume and bend to the ends of hair.
3. FInish with light hold hair spray for a bit of control.

Recommended Products:
Sebastian Shaper hair spray gives light, airy hold to any style.
Best Face Shapes:
long, heart, round

Fantastic Fauxhawk

Always a great style staple, this awesome hairstyle is both edgy and a little more grown up.



How to Style:

1. Work high hold styling gel throughout hair.
2. Use fingers to direct hair forward and up toward the middle.

Recommended Products:
B for Men Power Play firm finish gel contains antioxidants and conditioning agents, protecting hair while providing control and shine without flaking.
Best Face Shapes:
oval, square, heart

Itty Bitty Braids

Two adorable braids keep hair in check for all those girls on the go!



How to Style:

1. Part dry hair to one side.
2. Using the part as the section guide, create two pigtails at the back of the head and secure with elastics.
3. Braid each pigtail then secure the end with elastic.
4. Finish with a cute accessory on the side with the larger section of hair.

Recommended Products:
Find some adorable accessories at www.claires.com!
Best Face Shapes:
Any face shape looks adorable with this hairstyle.

Can’t Stop the Curl

Allowing natural texture to shine through is the key to this style. Natural curls are cut with slightly long layering to keep the look lean.



How to Style:

1. Shampoo and condition hair.
2. Wring excess moisture from hair with a microfiber towel.
3. Work a medium hold curl cream through hair for definition and control.
4. Allow hair to air dry or diffuse using a cool heat setting.

Recommended Products:
Be Curly Curl Enhancer contains a wheat protein blend that expands when hair is wet, then retracts when hair is dry to lock in curls or waves.
Best Face Shapes:
round, oval, heart, square

Matte Texture

This finger-length textured crop is great for kids with a little bit of natural texture.



How to Style:

1. Wash hair and wring excess moisture from hair with a towel.
2. Use a blow dryer to dry hair completely, tousling with fingers to enhance natural texture.
3. Work matte texture paste through hair to define ends.

Recommended Products:
Ultramatte by American Crew is a medium hold fixative with a matte finish that is perfect for finishing this style!
Best Face Shapes:
Any face shape!

13 Charming Kid Hairstyles for Winter

Keep your kids chic this winter with these 13 charming kid hairstyles! From long to short and straight to curly, you’ll be able to keep things fresh by playing with texture and switching up their looks all season long.

Corkscrew Cutie

Natural texture takes center stage in this simple style that is cut for volume in the sides.



How to Style:

1. Wash hair then wring excess moisture from hair with a towel.
2. Work moisturizing cream through hair from roots to ends.
3. Allow hair to air dry or gently air dry with a diffuser.
4. Finish with oil sheen spray and a medium hold hair spray for extra control if necessary.

Recommended Products:
Try Moroccan Oil Intense Curl Cream. It’s a leave-in conditioner that defines, moisturizes, nourishes and fights frizz without leaving a sticky residue.
Best Face Shapes:
oval, long, heart

Dramatic Sweep

This cut is perfect for those who prefer a side swept fringe over one that’s cut straight across. A simple switch in styling technique allows for lots of versatility.





How To Style:

1. Depending on the hair type, this style may require a relaxer or smoothing treatment prior to styling.
2. Work 6-10 sprays of leave-in conditioner through hair to encourage internal moisture retention.
3. Use a 2½ inch round brush to style the fringe first by blow drying it straight out from the forehead.
4. Gently sweep fringe to the side for the perfect angle.
5. Continue blowing the rest of the hair dry by working from the bottom of the neck to the top of the crown in sections.
6. Work a dime-sized amount of styling cream through hair from midshaft to ends for a polished finish.

Recommended Products:
Set an appointment with your professional stylist in order to ensure proper straightening or relaxing procedures. For post-straightened styling, use Paul Mitchell Awapuhi Wild Ginger Hydromist Blowout Spray to balance moisture. Finish with Paul Mitchell Awapuhi Wild Ginger Styling Treatment Oil for soft silky texture.
Best Face Shapes:
round, oval, heart
Balancing a round face is all about creating interesting angles to frame the face. No matter what length you choose, always consider adding a side swept fringe or some type of face-framing layers to complement and personalize your style!

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Fringe Benefits

This face-framing fringe draws attention to beautiful eyes! Keep it simple with just a slight bevel near the ends.



How To Style:

1. Blow hair dry to remove about 70% of the moisture.
2. Using a 2½ inch round brush, work from the neck area up to blow dry style the rest of hair, giving it a slight bend at the ends.
3. Round brush the fringe quickly so as not to “poof” it out too much!
4. Finish with a light shine spray.

Recommended Products:
Redken Align 12 Protective Straightening Lotion adds discipline and control for naturally straight results. Redken Vinyl Glam 02 Mega Shine Spray provides instant shine and a glam finish to any style.
Best Face Shapes:
round, oval, pear
Tip:
Be sure to create enough “bend” by turning the round brush at the ends. Add a cool shot of air for about 3 seconds to lock in style.

Hot Chocolate

A rich warm brunette hue perfectly complements this simple shoulder-grazing bob. A long, side swept fringe creates an complementary angle across the face.



How To Style:

1. Work a nickel-sized amount of styling cream from mid-shaft to the ends of hair.
2. Blow hair dry using a paddle brush and the “wrap” technique. Wrap hair around the head from left to right and vice versa to create a sophisticated silhouette.
3. Finish with a light shine spray.

Recommended Products:
Try Straight Sexy Hair Darn Straight for temporary smoothing and extra protection from heat. Create shine with Straight Sexy Hair Smooth & Seal aerated anti-frizz spray which provides tons of weightless shine.
Best Face Shapes:
round, oval, square

Bejeweled Bliss

Use color to your advantage! Accentuate a strong simple cut with a racy red hue. If you have a warm or olive skin tone, opt for a deep warm red that is no more than two levels lighter than your natural color. Those with cooler skin tones should stick with merlot or jewel-toned reds.



How To Style:

1. Use a medium round brush to add volume to the crown area, remembering to lift as you turn your brush to create the rounded effect.
2. Finish the front by using the “wrap” technique to give a sleek polish. Wrap hair around the head as your blow dry with a paddle brush.
3. Gently sweep fringe to one side.

Recommended Products:
Schwarzkopf Professional BLONDME Supreme Shine Magnifying Spray will pick up the gorgeous facets of that jewel-toned color! Spray a small amount after blowing dry. Add piecey texture through the fringe with Paul Mitchell Wax Works.
Best Face Shapes:
round, oval, pear

Crowning Highlights

Highlights placed in the crown will elongate your look by drawing attention upward. Ask your stylist to place just a few highlights in the top of your crown and above your forehead.





How To Style:

1. Amp up the volume! Start with towel dried hair. Apply root booster and use a 1 ¼” round brush to ensure that your hair stays pumped all day.
2. In the fringe area, blow dry straight up and out from your forehead with a 2 ½” round brush then gently sweep to one side.
3. Add texture with a pliable wax.

Recommended Products:
Big Sexy Hair Root Pump Plus will give you tons of volume! Enhance texture with Matrix Design Pulse Glow To Pieces Shine Wax.
Best Face Shapes:
round, oval, pear

Red Hot Spice

This long sleek bob with minimal layering is great for those who like versatility. The shoulder-grazing length is just long enough to allow for several updo options on special occasions!



How To Style:

1. Work a quarter-sized amount of a color and heat protection product through towel dried hair.
2. Separate hair into three horizontal sections. Beginning in the lowest section, blow your hair dry using a large round brush to give just a bit of bend. Work your way up until all sections are completely dry.
3. Finish with hairspray.

Recommended Products:
KMS California Free Shape Hot Flex Creme provides lasting style, heat protection and humidity resistance, allowing you to use a curling or flat iron later if you wish! Further protect your style with Sexy Hair’s Weather Proof, a high-performance humidity-resistant finishing spray.
Best Face Shapes:
round, oval, square
Tip:
Getting that “bend” when round brushing hair takes a little practice. Keep turning your round brush away from your head as you dry each section.

Slice of Light

A pop of lighter color in front can also serve to create a more angular shape around your face. Consider this option if you would like to try a new color!





How To Style:

1. Ask your stylist to place a block of lighter color along your hairline that goes just far enough back that some of your darker hair will still fall over it. This placement will create a soft blend of the two colors. The color is softened with beautifully blended layers and a side swept fringe that grazes the cheekbone.
2. Gently towel dry hair wet until just damp and create an off-center part on the right or left side and above your eye.
3. Apply a nickel-sized amount of smoothing cream to your fingertips and work through hair from mid-lengths to ends.
4. Blow dry using a medium round brush (1 ½ to 2 inches in diameter) starting near your neck and working your way up. Finish with fringe section by blow drying this section straight out away from the forehead then sweeping to the side of your choice.
5. Finish with shine amplifier for a soft polish.

Recommended Products:
TIGI BedHead AfterParty smoothing cream is essential for this style. Paul Mitchell The Shine delivers a perfect polish with creamy texture.
Best Face Shapes:
round, oval, heart

Asymmetric with Attitude

Take a walk on the wild side with this fun asymmetric bob! This is one of the best looks for round faces as the longer side serves to be a focal point while elongating the face.





How To Style:

1. After shampooing and conditioning, towel dry hair until just damp and create an off-center part above your right or left eye. Comb down at a forward angle (toward cheekbones).
2. For overall lift, dispense a golf ball-sized amount of styling mousse into the palm of your hand, gently rub palms together then rake product through hair. Concentrate on the root area near the top of your head first then work the rest of the product through the remainder of your hair.
3. Blow dry hair gently, lifting at the roots, until it is about 60% dry.
4. Using a medium round brush, work in horizontal sections beginning at the nape (neck area) and work up toward the crown (top) of your head. As you blow dry, focus on lifting the hair while turning the brush away from your head. This will give you maximum lift and volume.
5. For a side swept fringe, blow dry this section straight up and away from your face using a large round brush which will give you just a slight bend. Once dry, gently sweep fringe to one side.
6. Finish with flexible hold styling spray.

Recommended Products:
Check out OSiS Grip Styling Mousse by Schwarzkopf Professional for a weightless lift. Sebastian Shaper flexible hold hairspray will provide a great gentle hold. Try Sebastian Shaper Plus for extra hold on those windy days!
Best Face Shapes:
round, oval, heart, square

Shiny Bob with Side Fringe

This classic bob is great for adding just a bit of angle to a round face!



How To Style:

1. Work a small amount of styling cream from mid-shaft to ends of hair.
2. Blow hair dry using a paddle brush and the “wrap” technique which involves wrapping the hair around the head while aiming air from root to tip.
3. Finish by turning the ends under just a bit with a flat iron.

Recommended Products:
Check out OSiS Buff styling cream by Schwarzkopf Professional. This blowdry styling cream creates light hold with a soft finish. Prep hair for flat ironing by spraying sections first with Straight Sexy Hair Smooth and Protect flat iron hairspray. The HAI Tools 1.0 HAI Ceramic Styling Iron generates far-infrared rays for gentle heat protection.
Best Face Shapes:
round, oval, heart

The 10 Most Flattering Bob Hairstyles for Round Faces

Have you been searching for the perfect bob for your round face shape, but can’t seem to figure out why certain styles look better than others? Hairstyles for round faces can be difficult to find. The key to a great cut and style for this face shape is to create the illusion of length by opting for cuts with angles and colors that pop, creating height at the crown, or playing up other features, such as the eyes. Join me as I walk you through each of these flattering bob hairstyles for round faces. You’ll be armed with great photos to show your stylist as well as tutorials to help you get that salon look at home!

Chin-Length with Short Fringe

A chin-length cut with a short fringe is perfect for accenting the eyes. The length left in the sides creates the illusion of length and leaves room for easy styling.



How To Style:

1. After shampooing and conditioning, towel dry hair until just damp and create an off-center part above your right or left eye. Comb part to each appropriate side and comb fringe straight forward.
2. Emulsify a nickel-sized amount of styling cream between your fingertips and rake through your hair from mid-length to ends.
3. Blow dry hair until it is approximately 70% dry, remembering to aim air stream from your new growth to ends. This keeps the cuticle of your hair smooth, resulting in a shinier finish!
4. Grab your medium paddle brush and finish blow drying using the “wrap” technique. Wrap hair around your head as you aim air in the same direction you are wrapping the hair. This technique will give your hair that perfect, soft bend with lots of shine.
5. Finish with a bit of hairspray.

Recommended Products:
Schwarzkopf Professional OSiS Buff Styling Cream complements this style by smoothing hair with a light hold factor. Add a bit of Schwarzkopf Professional OSiS Elastic Flexible Hold Styling Spray to finish.
Best Face Shapes:
round, oval or pear
Tip:
Remember that attachment that came with your blow dryer? The one that looks like it belongs with your vacuum? That piece is essential to reducing the amount time you spend fixing your hair each morning! It concentrates the air from your blow dryer, resulting in less wasted air and less time spent using your blow dryer.

5 Must-Know Tips for Caring for Naturally Curly Hair

Curl Problems

The curly hair dilemma. You either LOVE it or you hate it!!! Curly hair is both a blessing and a curse. It’s a blessing because it’s quite lovely and a curse because it is generally accompanied by frizz.
The major culprits that contribute to the dreaded frizz are dehydration and friction. Unfortunately, curly hair is naturally dry. The first line of defense is to hydrate, hydrate, hydrate. Using the wrong products can cause potentially luscious locks to become parched. Dry, thirsty hair will reach upward and outward to try and quench its thirst from moisure in the air which causes it to become big and frizzy.
Friction is another no-no for curly locks. If you have lived with curls your whole life, you know that the more you touch your hair, the more frizz you create. There are other sources of friction that you probably don’t realize you are creating, however. Eliminating some of these sources will result in smoother curls. So without further ado, here are five major habits to adopt that will fully transform your hair and take those curls from frizzy to fabulous in no time.

1. Use only sulfate-free shampoos
What are sulfates? Sulfates create suds. They are found in detergents, oven cleaners, engine de-greasers and sadly, in most shampoos. Sulfates are very effective for cutting grease but are too harsh for curly hair because they strip it of lubrication. Invest in a moisturizing, sulfate-free shampoo and cleanse your scalp in circular motions. Do not scrub your hair, concentrate only on your scalp. As the shampoo runs through your curls during your rinse, that will be enough to cleanse your midshaft and ends.
2. Detangle curls with conditioner in the shower
After cleansing your hair, apply conditioner. Leave it in while you take the rest of your shower, shave your legs, exfoliate, etc. Before you rinse, comb through your hair with with your fingers or a wide tooth comb. This way, you will not tug roughly on the hair and break it. After you have conditioned and detangled, stand upright under the shower head and allow the stream of water to flow through your hair and rinse out the conditioner.
3. NEVER use a terrycloth towel to dry your hair
Use a microfiber towel (or even a t-shirt) to dry your precious curls. Terry cloth towels act like velcro and really rough up the cuticle. Instead of vigorously rubbing to remove moisture from your hair, gently scrunch sections of hair with the microfiber towel in an upward motion, blotting the water into the towel. This way, you are drying and helping to coax your curls at the same time.
4. Sleep on a satin or sateen pillowcase
If you own flannel pillowcases, please give them to a friend or Goodwill! Tossing and turning at night in your sleep in unavoidable. The smoother your pillowcase is, the less friction you are creating and the prettier your curls will be.
5. Get your hair cut by a stylist who specializes in cutting curly hair
There is a revolution happening in the curly hair world. Deva Curl and Ouidad are the two leading companies that specialize in curly hair care. There are now (finally!) independent classes for stylists to take so that they can learn how to cut curly locks. Cosmetology schools do not teach this and as a result, unless stylists pursue this type of education on their own, the chances of them NOT knowing the proper way to cut natural curls is extremely high. Do your homework. Go to  www.naturallycurly.com for tips and recommendations. You can also find curly hairstylists at www.ouidad.com and www.mydevacurl.com.
The days of not knowing how to care for your curls are finally over! The curl revolution is here. Start researching and find out more ways to rock your gorgeous, natural curls. Find the right stylist and throw out those sulfate shampoos and rough pillow cases. Treat yourself and your tresses to a microfiber towel. You are the caretaker of a gift. The gift of curls. Set them free and hold your head high. You are beautiful!
Craving a new curly style? Find your new look here.

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Stage 6: The Church closed the book

When the Church made the New Testament canon official in A.D. 397, it simultaneously closed the book on future newly written additions to the Christian Bible, locking it up and throwing away the key. (The Catholic Church, however, revisited canonization in the 16^th century concerning some Old Testament-era Jewish writings, but these were a special case, which I explain in the “To Be or Not to Be: The Apocrypha” section that follows.) The reason for the permanent closure was twofold: 

Jesus was the final piece of the puzzle. Christians believe that Jesus Christ, in fulfilling the scriptures of the Old Testament, was the full revelation from God. Hebrews 1:1-2 says 

God, having in the past spoken to the fathers through the prophets at many times and in various ways, has at the end of these days spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, through whom also he made the worlds. 

Therefore, God made it clear that the Bible as you and I know it today is sufficient information (until Jesus returns to the earth again; see Chapter 9) to know who he is and what makes him tick. 

No future book could meet the criteria for canonization. The essential component of each New Testament book was its close ties to the apostles (see the section, “Stage 5: Early Church recognized New Testament writings as scripture,” earlier in this chapter). Consequently, after the apostles died, by definition no further writing could be considered part of the New Testament canon. Interestingly, the Apostle John (the last surviving apostle) tacks on a specific warning at the end of Revelation to not add to the book or remove anything from it (Revelation 22:18-19). Given the fact that his book was the last apostle writing, his warning seems a particularly appropriate way to close out the entire New Testament canon, not just his book. 

To Be or Not to Be: The Apocrypha

One area of disagreement among Christians concerning the Bible is related to the apocryphal (or deuteron-canonical) books, a set of 15 Jewish writings that were written between 200 B.C. and A.D. 70, after the other books of the Old Testament were canonized (which officially happened in the centuries before 300 B.C.). Collectively, these books are sometimes called the Apocrypha, a term that comes from the Greek word for “hidden” (or, as Protestants stress, “questionable”). 

The debate over the Apocrypha has its origins in the centuries immediately preceding the birth of Jesus. The Jews living in Palestine, the geographical and historical centre of the Christian faith, recognized the books of the Hebrew Bible in Table 6-1 (which you find earlier in this chapter). However, the Jews living in the Greek-dominated areas around Alexandria tended to be more open to recognizing these additional apocryphal books as scripture. 

As Greece dominated the Mediterranean region in the centuries before Christ’s birth, Greek emerged as the popular spoken and written language of the entire area. Consequently, the Greek-speaking Jews of Alexandria saw the need for translating the Hebrew scriptures from the original Hebrew into Greek. This translation became known as the Septuagint. Given the fact that the Jews in Alexandria recognized other writings as scripture in addition to the already set canon, the translators naturally included the apocryphal works along with the core set of scriptures. 

However, the early New Testament Church was centred in Jerusalem and Palestine (where Jews acknowledged as scripture only the books of the Hebrew Bible). As a result, the first-century Christians knew of the Apocrypha but didn’t regard it as scripture. However, after later Christians used the Septuagint (because of its Greek language) as the key document when they translated the Old Testament into Latin, the apocryphal books took on increased authority within parts of the Christian Church. 

More than 1,300 years later, in the 16^th century of the Catholic Church canonized 11 of these apocryphal books at the Council of Trent and today considers them part of the Old Testament. In contrast, the Protestant Church has always rejected these books as scripture. The Orthodox Church stands in the middle, treating the apocryphal writings as scripture but not with the same weight as the other Old Testament and New Testament writings. 

I show you reasons for these differing claims in the sections that follow. 

Reasons for including the Apocrypha

Catholics and others who consider the apocryphal books as scripture make the following points in defence of these books: 

The New Testament refers to the apocryphal books. Specifically, Hebrews 11:35 alludes to the Book of 2 Maccabees, and Jude 14 references the Book of Enoch. 

Several early Christian leaders quoted the Apocrypha, and a few, most importantly Augustine, explicitly claimed it to be authoritative.

Many of the early Greek translations of the Old Testament contained the apocryphal books.

Volvo 850

Volvo always had a bit of a tardy image. Driven by history teachers, Volvos were dated before they even left the factory, but at least they were practical and reliable. But in 1992 it brought out the 850, and on first glance, you’d be forgiven for thinking it’s more of the same. Only, the 850 represented Volvo finally embracing four-wheel drive, and you could even get a bonkers 230hp T5 version. The 850 increased in desirability when it was entered in the BTCC in 1994 - suddenly Volvo wagons were cool.

Volkswagen Up!

The Volkswagen Up! and its brethrens the Skoda Citigo and SEAT Mii were not only gamechangers for VW Group, but for the entire city car sector. Previously city cars had been noisy, slow and cheap - not the sort of car the majority of us would want to drive for any length of time. But this city car trio changed that. They were fun, excellent value and perfectly good companions for longer journeys. Four years on, the rest of the segment is still catching up.

Audi TT

Audi is one of the most desirable car brands on the market today, but not so long ago it was a left-field choice compared to a BMW. The original Audi TT, launched in 1998, must partly be credited with the success of Audi today. 17 years later, it still looks fresh.

Porsche Cayenne

Porsche rocked the boat back in 2002 with the introduction of its Cayenne SUV. Never before had Porsche made an SUV, and its new arrival wasn’t a good looker in the eyes of many. Still, it was praised for its excellent pace (despite its size), and led the way for the performance SUV sector.

Toyota Prius

With many buyers still cautious of hybrid cars today, imagine what the reaction was like to the Toyota Prius when we got our first glimpse back in 1997. It may have looked a weird “car of the future,” but it was genuinely practical and not that expensive. Now, apart from the odd anomaly, Toyota is embracing hybrid power across its range.

Gamechangers: Cars that transformed companies

Will the Jaguar XE compete with the BMW 3 Series?

Jaguar will be hoping the launch of its new XE will be the start of exciting times and growth for the company, as it goes head to head with the BMW 3 Series for serious sales figures. But what other cars in recent years have helped transform its manufacturer?

The Jaguar XE could propel the manufacturer into the mainstream. We look at other models which have been gold for carmakers

 

Volkswagen Golf

 

 

It’s perhaps difficult to believe that the Volkswagen Golf was a direct replacement for the Beetle. Introduced in 1974, over 30 million Golfs have been sold, making it the second best-selling model ever, after the Toyota Corolla.

Check the 10-day forecast for your area

http://www.msn.com/en-gb/weather/today/gb/Greetland,Calderdale,United-Kingdom/we-city-53.687,-1.856?ocid=msnclassic

Stirling Castle

A dog walker walks through the Kings Knot area below Stirling Castle during a snow blizzard.

Glens of Antrim

A general view of sheep in the snow in the Glens of Antrim.

Sheffield

Heavy snow in the Loxley area of Sheffield.

Blizzards in Durham

A cyclist makes his way through a blizzard in Durham as Britain was due to be hit by a week of snow and freezing temperatures as the country's "yo-yo" weather continues.

Manchester Airport car park

Cars covered in snow at the car park at Manchester Airport's Terminal 1.

Manchester Airport

Terminal 1 at Manchester Airport covered in a blanket of snow which closed the airport.

Airport and rail services shut down

Manchester Airport was closed and more than a dozen rail services between the city and Yorkshire were cancelled as the north west of England was hit hard by the wintry conditions.
Tractors clear the snow from the runways at Manchester Airport's Terminal 1.

Highland cow

A highland cow near Crook in County Durham after overnight snow.

Snow-covered cars

A car covered with snow in County Durham.

Sledgers in Shipley

Sledgers enjoy the snow covered hills around Shipley, near Bradford.

County Durham

Farmers clear the road to Stockley Fell Farm in Oakenshaw, County Durham.

Thundersnow storms sweep the UK

Thundersnow storms sweep the UK

Schools, transport and mobile phone signals were disrupted today after heavy snow hit parts of the country.

Thundersnow 2015: Sheffield, Manchester and Dublin affected by snow

Much of the country was gripped by major disruption today as "thundersnow" storms brought travel chaos, closing more than 300 schools, roads and an airport.

http://www.msn.com/en-gb/news/other/thundersnow-2015-sheffield-manchester-and-dublin-affected-by-snow/vi-AA8LvLR

UK weather: Snow chaos will spread to the south

Britain is likely to remain in the grip of a winter blast until at least Tuesday next week, as forecasters warn that snowfall will soon spread to the south.

Schools and airports across the country were forced to close yesterday as snow and ice caused severe disruption.

David Cameron even took the unusual step of intervening to warn the public to be vigilant against the plummeting temperatures. He has also asked officials to update Number 10 on the unfolding disruption.

He said: "The gritters are out and people should listen to warnings. I have asked for an update on our heavy snow contingency plans."

Manchester airport, the UK’s third busiest, was forced to close for several hours to allow snowploughs to clear snow from the runways. East Midlands airport also suffered disruption.

Parts of the North West even suffered bouts of ‘thunder snow’ where snow fell instead of rain during thunderstorms.

More than 250 schools in Yorkshire and Derbyshire closed their doors to pupils while hundreds more opened either late or only partially. In Bradford alone 96 schools were forced to close because of the heavy snowfall. Over 100 schools were forced to shut in both Scotland and Northern Ireland.

Tulloch Bridge in Inverness-shire was blanketed with 9ins of snow while 8in fell in Glenanne, Armagh. Spadeadam in Cumbria had 5ins.

Isolated flurries of snow touched exposed parts of north London but did not settle.

The Met Office has issued an amber "be prepared" snow warning covering large swathes of Britain,from Liverpool Bay across to the Humber to the western side of the Welsh mountains.

The South and South East will not be spared as forecasters warn that snow showers will affect ‘most areas’.

Met Office forecaster Simon Partridge said: "We have got snow falling in a number of areas in the North and West, including thunderstorms.

"The snowfall is going to continue throughout the night. In the amber area we could see more than 5cm of snow, and more than 15cm on higher ground.

Friday weather map and four-day forecast

The weather will become milder on Friday, reaching up to 7C in the south.

But an Arctic blast will send a fresh wave of snow and freezing temperatures over the weekend when snow will spread to parts of the country that have so far escaped the winter onslaught.

The Met Office has issued snow warnings for the weekend and said more could be put in place.

Snow is predicted to again hit the north of Scotland and Northern Ireland on Saturday, and will spread down both sides of the UK on Sunday, hitting western Wales, south-west England, east Anglia and the east coast of England.

Temperatures will struggle to get above freezing in parts of the North on Sunday.

Mr Partridge said: "Not until the middle or end of next week will we see the possibility of things changing to milder conditions."

Public Health England (PHE) have warned the immobile, elderly and those with young children to keep their homes warm through the worst of the cold snap.

Dr Angie Bone, head of extreme events at PHE, said: "It's worth remembering that most outdoor slips, trips and falls in weather like this are of those who are of working age, accidents can happen to anyone. So if you're heading out, wear lots of thin layers and shoes with a good, slip-resistant grip.

"If you're staying indoors, have plenty of warm food and drinks to stay warm. Try to maintain indoor temperatures to at least 18C, particularly if you are not mobile, have long-term illness or are over 65 and check weather forecasts and plan your day around them."

Stage 3: Jesus indicated that more scripture would come

Although no indications of Jesus himself writing during his ministry exist, Christians believe that he promised the disciples that the Holy Spirit would guide them to reveal more of God’s truth. Logically, then, it’s easy to conclude that new scriptures are a key component of this revelation. Specifically, Jesus promised that the Holy Spirit would

Remind the disciples of all that Jesus said and taught (John 14:26)

Guide the disciples to writing the New Testament (John 16:12-15)

Reveal prophecy about future events (John 16:12-15) 

Why four Gospels?

The Gospels – Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John – all chronicle the life and ministry of Jesus Christ. And, although they all cover similar ground, each is unique, written to slightly different audiences with distinct emphases:

The Apostle Matthew wrote his Gospel especially for Jews and emphasized the theme of Christ as King.

John Mark, a close associate of the Apostle Peter, wrote his Gospel for the Christians in Rome and focused on the theme of Christ as Servant.

Penned by Dr. Luke, the Gospel of Luke primarily addresses Gentiles (non-Jews) and stresses Jesus as the Perfect Man.

The Gospel of John, written by the Apostle John, addresses a more general audience, depicting Jesus as God in human flesh. 

See Chapter 2 for more on the New Testament authors. 

Stage 4: New Testament writers recognized their writings as inspired by God

The New Testament writers may not have prefaced each of the books with “Thus sayeth the Lord,” but they possessed an unspoken, yet unmistakable awareness that their writings were inspired and on par with the writings of the Old Testament. Consider a few examples of why Christians believe this:

Authors acknowledge divine inspiration. Paul says that his words aren’t his own, but that they come from the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 2:13) and the revelation of Jesus Christ (Galatians 1:12). He later expands that statement to include the other apostles’ and prophets’ writings as well (Ephesians 3:3-5).

Authors cross-reference other New Testament writing. Paul references Luke 10:7 in his own letter to Timothy (1 Timothy 5:18) and refers to it as “scripture.”

Authors put New Testament writings on the same level as the Old Testament. When Peter refers to Paul’s writings in Peter 3:15-16, he equates Paul’s writings with Old Testament scripture and indicates that Paul’s teaching is perfectly in line with the teachings that Paul heard directly from Jesus. 

Stage 5: Early Church recognized New Testament writings as scripture

When the apostles were still living, the early Church relied on this group of individuals to define the teachings and stances of the Church. However, as time passed in the first century, the apostles became fewer and fewer in number. So, the Church had to turn to the apostle’s legacy – their writings – in order to guide the young but growing Christian Church. 

Although the early Church used many letters and books for teaching, the authenticity of most of the New Testament books set them apart from the pack from the very beginning. In particular, the Gospels and Paul’s epistles (or formal letters to the churches) were quickly put into wide circulation throughout churches across the Mediterranean region and used as a basis for instruction. In addition, the nonbiblical Christian writings of the second century talked about these writings and referenced them as scripture. 

Estrogen and the Bible

The apostles and New Testament authors were all men, but that doesn’t mean that the early Christian Church was an “all-male club.” In fact, women played a vital role in the life of the early Christian Church. Paul, for example, often speaks of women who played important roles in the Church’s ministry. Specifically, in Romans 16, he expressly calls out several women, most notably Phoebe, a deacon in the church who helped many, and Priscilla, who, along with Aquilla, is referred to as Paul’s co-worker. 

The need arose, however, in the second century to determine an official set of authentic books for the Church. The motivation behind this step was a response to false teaching rather than a perceived need by the churches, considering that they already treated the apostle’s writings as authoritative.

To select the writings that make up the New Testament canon, the Church set two criteria that each writing had to meet:

Apostle-driven: The critical factor that the Church turned to in order to determine the authority of each writing was apostle leadership. The book must have been written by an apostle himself or by an associate who worked intimately with an apostle and who had his writing confirmed by the apostles. John Mark, for example, was the author of the Gospel of Mark. Although he wasn’t an original apostle, he worked alongside Peter. Or consider Luke, author of the Gospel of Luke and the Book of Acts. He was a close associate of Paul for a good part of the apostle’s ministry.

Consistent with other apostles’ teaching: The second criterion that the Church used to determine whether a writing would be included in the New Testament canon was the writing’s consistency with other scripture written by the apostles. 

When someone questioned either of these criteria, the recognition process took much longer. For example, the Book of Hebrews, James, 2 Peter, 2 John, 3 John, and Revelation were the last books the Church included in the canon. However, the questions about these books were based more on incomplete information rather than on beliefs that they weren’t authentic. Therefore, after the Church fully understood their apostle-driven nature, it readily accepted these books as part of the final New Testament canon (see Table 6-2). 

Books of the New Testament

Category: Life of Jesus and the early Church

Books: Matthew, Mark, Luke, John, Acts

Also Called: Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John are known as the Gospels

 

Letters of the Apostle Paul

Romans, 1 Corinthians, 2 Corinthians, Galatians, Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, 1 Thessalonians, 2 Thessalonians, 1 Timothy, 2 Timothy, Titus, Philemon

Letters are often called the Epistles; 1 Timothy, 2 Timothy, and Titus are often called pastoral letters (because they express Paul’s pastoral concern)

 

Letters from other apostles and prophets

Hebrews, James, 1 Peter, 2 Peter, 1 John, 2 John, 3 John, Jude

 

Messages of prophecy

Revelation

 

This process of canonization was syrupy slow, lasting from the early second century until A.D. 397, when the Church officially recognized the entire 27-book collection as the New Testament canon. However, like the Hebrew scriptures centuries before, the New Testament writings that were floating around among the churches were, on a practical level, observed as scripture far earlier than that. Therefore, when the powers that be formally defined the canon, this decision only served to rubberstamp what Christians already believed to be true. In fact, one of the early efforts at establishing a canon – referred to as the Muratorian Canon – in the late second century is very close to the final adopted canon.

Whitney’s Waves

Her fabulous hair with fabulous flair helps her to a lot of stares! Keep reading to see how it’s done.





How to Style:
1. Section out centered u-pattern ½ inch-1 inch of hair along the face.
2. Braid remaining hair into a pattern (zigzag/straight back/circular)
where hair will lay flat.
3. Install blond wig along u-part and edges. Secure into place.
4. Blend hair with wig and begin styling process.
5. Part hair on side and curl hair and weave using a curl wand.
6. Spray hair using spritz to firmly hold style.
Recommended Products: 
Try out Robert’s Diamond Bond Protective Shield as a hair and scalp protector so hair glue does not touch your hair.
Best Face Shape and Hair Type: 
Oval face shapes best suit this style along with smooth to natural textured hair at all lengths.
Tip(s): 
Spread Robert’s Diamond Bond Protective Shield over all areas where the hair wefts will be added. Last, but not least, make sure you dry hair completely with a hair dryer.

Angel

Sleek, black hair is one of the leading go to styles of the season. It has women hooked because of how quick and easy it is to maintain. Let’s see how you can keep yourself looking heavenly.





How to Style:
1. Braid hair into a pattern (zigzag/straight back/circular) where hair will lay flat.
2. Apply and secure wig into place.
If needed adjust wig by tightening wig around the edges.
3. Use wide-tooth comb to make sure hair doesn’t get matted and begin styling process.
4. If needed, create large curls going away from the face using golden barrel curling iron.
5. Use hairspray for light hold.
Recommended Products: 
Stop by the www.wigstore.net for this stylish wig.
Best Face Shape and Hair Type: 
This style fits all face shapes and all hair lengths and textures.
Tip(s): 
Don’t expose this hair to intense heat because it is synthetic.

Beyonce’s Bountiful Curls

I just love how this ‘do mimic’s that of our beloved Beyonce Knowles. Let’s see how she makes magic happen!



How to Style:
1. Section out off-centered u-pattern ½ inch-1 inch of hair along the face.
2. Braid remaining hair into a pattern (zigzag/straight back/circular)
where hair will lay flat.
3. Install wig along u-part and edges. Secure into place.
4. Blend hair with wig and begin styling process.
5. Use 1 ½ curling wand to style wig. Only curl from mid strand to end.
6. Use serum to add shine for the finishing touches.
Recommended Products: 
I recommend purchasing hair from SassySecret.com and look for your choice of color.
Best Face Shape and Hair Type: 
Oval or round face shapes and short to medium smooth hair work best for this style.
Tip(s): 
For long wavy curls use flexirods.

15 Long Hair Extensions That Work Like Magic

As ladies, we love to change up our styles with various looks and one of the best ways to achieve that jazzed up new look is to add some long hair extensions. See my top picks for long hair extensions below!

Brown Sugar Baby

Warmth is found on the bottom half of the style with a deep color above to give ./the color more depth. If you are looking for something along these line keep reading.





How to Style:
1. Braid hair into a pattern (zigzag/straight back/circular) where hair will lay flat.
2. Apply and secure wig into place.
3. Flat iron hair until its bone straight.
5. Use a light sheen to give the hair a beautiful shine.
Recommended Products:
Check out hair from Flaunt by Forever Young Wigs.
Best Face Shape and Hair Type: 
This style is great for all face shapes, lengths, and textures.
Tip(s):
After washing extensions boil weave in conditioner and hang dry for revitalized hair.