Who decided what went in the Bible? This question has intrigued scholars, theologians, and laypeople alike for centuries. The Bible, as a sacred text for Christians, Jews, and Muslims, is filled with narratives, prophecies, laws, and teachings that have shaped the beliefs and practices of billions of people over the centuries. The process of determining which books were included in the Bible was not a straightforward one and involved various individuals, groups, and historical contexts. This article explores the complex journey of selecting the books that comprise the Bible and the factors that influenced these decisions.
The first step in understanding who decided what went in the Bible is to recognize that there are two main versions of the Bible: the Hebrew Bible (also known as the Old Testament) and the Christian New Testament. The Hebrew Bible was compiled over several centuries, with the final form being established in the early centuries of the Common Era. The Christian New Testament, on the other hand, was compiled much later, during the first few centuries of the Christian era.
For the Hebrew Bible, the process of selection began with the oral tradition of the Jewish people. The oral law, known as the Mishnah, was passed down from generation to generation, containing the teachings and practices of the Jewish faith. As the Mishnah was written down in the early second century BCE, it laid the groundwork for the selection of books that would be included in the Hebrew Bible. The process involved a group of scholars known as the Sages, who evaluated the books based on their authenticity, their adherence to Jewish law, and their religious significance. This group, which included figures such as Hillel and Shammai, eventually agreed on a list of 24 books, known as the Masoretic Canon, which became the authoritative Hebrew Bible.
The Christian New Testament, on the other hand, was compiled in a different context and involved a different set of criteria. The early Christian church faced the challenge of determining which writings were authoritative and should be considered as part of the New Testament. This process began with the apostles and their disciples, who initially spread the teachings of Jesus Christ through oral traditions. As the church grew, the need for written records became apparent, and various gospels, letters, and apostolic writings began to emerge.
One of the key figures in the selection of the New Testament was the Council of Nicaea, convened by Emperor Constantine in 325 CE. While the council did not officially canonize the New Testament, it did establish a list of books that were considered to be of apostolic origin and were accepted as part of the Christian canon. This list included the four Gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John), the Acts of the Apostles, the letters of Paul, and several other books. However, it was not until the Council of Trent in 1546 that the Roman Catholic Church officially confirmed the list of books that would be included in the New Testament.
The process of selecting the books that went into the Bible was not without controversy. Some books, such as the Gospel of Thomas and the Epistle of Barnabas, were excluded from the New Testament because they were considered to be of lesser authority or to contain teachings that were at odds with the mainstream Christian faith. Similarly, some books were included in the Hebrew Bible that were not considered canonical by the Christian church, such as the Book of Enoch and the Book of Jubilees.
In conclusion, the question of who decided what went in the Bible is a complex one that involves various individuals, groups, and historical contexts. The selection process for both the Hebrew Bible and the Christian New Testament was influenced by factors such as religious authority, cultural norms, and the need for authoritative texts. While the process was not always straightforward and sometimes involved controversy, the result is a sacred text that has profoundly impacted the lives of billions of people around the world.
