[Dean's World] Dean: Understanding the Bible

[notify at powerblogs.com]

Posted by Dean:
Understanding the Bible
http://www.deanesmay.com/posts/1151819300.shtml


   In the first few centuries of Christianity, no one had any idea that
   there was anything called a "Bible." Indeed, at that time, there was
   no Bible. That didn't happen until the 3rd or 4th century, depending
   on how you look at it.

   Most early Christians were probably illiterate. Indeed, it is very
   likely that many of the original Apostles were illiterate. There is
   even evidence in the New Testament that Peter, Paul, and the other
   apostles were illiterate. Peter and Paul and the other New Testament
   writers often seem to be dictating to someone rather than writing for
   themsleves. All you have to do is read the beginnings of most of the
   New Testament books to see that.

   Yet they all had a host of ideas and assumptions that they obviously
   drew from.

   Until Martin Luther in the 1500s said that the Bible was the
   wellspring of Christianity, no Christian ever believed such a thing
   about the Bible. Neither the Roman Catholic nor the Eastern or
   Oriental Orthodox ever believed such a thing. And the don't believe it
   still. Neither do most devout Anglican or Lutheran or Calvinist
   Protestants.

   The Bible itself never makes claim to the idea that it is the ultimate
   Word of God.

   So where do modern American Evangelicals get this idea, do you think?