Figure 6-1

The Old and New Testaments went through six stages on their way to being recognized by the Church as the authoritative Word of God.
 

Old Testament Books

 

Prophets

History

Books of Moses

 

Real world acceptance: Treated by Hebrews as scripture

“Official” acceptance of scripture by Hebrews

Authority confirmed by Jesus and the apostles

 

+

 

New Testament Books

 

Paul’s Letters

Other Apostle’s Letters

Gospels

 

Recognition by Jesus and apostles of more scripture

Real world acceptance: Treated by early Church as scripture

Official acceptance of scripture by Church

 

=

Old Testament

New Testament

Final Form of Christian Bible

 

Stage 1: Hebrews first recognized writings as sacred

Oral history was an important part of ancient cultures, but Christians believe that by Moses’ day, God had instructed the Israelites (Jews) to begin keeping a written account of history and of his revelations to the Jewish people. God continued to call certain people to write sacred literature throughout the history of the Jewish nation of Israel. This scripture included instructional law, historical narrative, poetry and songs, and words of prophecy. 

The authors of these Hebrew (another term meaning Jewish) books (which Christians refer to as the Old Testament) often mention God’s special role in the writing process. Moses, who is usually attributed as author of the first five books of the Bible, indicates that the Lord communicated to him in some manner as he wrote the accounts (see Exodus 20:1, 24:4). The prophets also frequently mention that their writings came from the Lord (see Hosea 1:1, Joel 1:1, Amos 3:7-8, Ezekiel 2:7). 

The Israelites universally recognized the books shown in Table 6-1 as scripture. They regularly worshipped using the Psalms and read the writings of Moses and the prophets. Later, religious leaders made it official by canonizing them, declaring the writings the authentic (sometimes called authoritative) Word of God, but they were really only putting their seal of approval on what people already understood to be true. 

No one today knows all the precise details concerning this process, but many scholars believe that canonization took place during multiple phases over a period of hundreds of years.

 

Table 6-1 Books of the Old Testament

Category: Historical accounts and Hebrew Law

Books: Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, Deuteronomy (also called the Pentateuch, Torah, and The Five Books of Moses)

 

History of the Hebrews

Joshua, Judges, Ruth, 1 Samuel, 2 Samuel, 1 Kings, 2 Kings, 1 Chronicles, 2 Chronicles, Ezra, Nehemiah, Esther

 

Poetry and Wisdom Literature

Job, Psalms, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, Song of Songs (also known as Song of Solomon)

 

The Prophets

Isaiah, Jeremiah, Lamentations, Ezekiel, Daniel, Hosea, Joel, Amos, Obadiah, Jonah, Micah, Nahum, Habakkuk, Zephaniah, Haggai, Zechariah, Malachi

Note: This table doesn’t include the Catholic deuteron-canonical books.

 

Stage 2: Jesus and the early Church treated Old Testament writings as scripture

Jesus and the apostles consistently demonstrated their acceptance of the Hebrew claim concerning the Old Testament books’ sacredness. Throughout his ministry, Jesus considered the Hebrew scriptures to be the authoritative basis for discussions and teaching. Jesus said that he came to fulfil the Old Testament prophecy (Matthew 5:17-18; Luke 24:27, 24:44), adding that scripture can’t be broken (John 10:35). Jesus also quoted the Old Testament often, for example in responding to Satan’s temptations in the desert, settling disagreements with the religious leaders, and even taking some of his final words on the cross directly from Psalms.

 

The apostles and New Testament writers also make frequent mention of the authority of the Old Testament books. Paul refers to Genesis and Exodus as “scripture” (Romans 9:17, Galatians 3:8). Luke writes about how the Holy Spirit spoke through Isaiah (Acts 28:25) and David (Acts 4:25). Peter adds that prophecy came through the Holy Spirit, not the will of the writer (1 Peter 1:21, 1:10-12).