14 February 2016
Two-Minute Features | 21 February 2016 | 07 February 2016

How to be Truly Happy & Free in Your Life (TMF:345)

Friday, February 19, 2016
Peace to Live By: How to be Truly Happy & Free in Your Life (TMF:345) - Daniel Litton
(tap or right-click link to download two-minute feature)

       You know, maybe you've been considering what I have been discussing in regard to the sufficiency of the Scriptures and the canonization of the Bible. Perhaps you have come to believe that God's Word really is the truth, the real way to having true life. James 1:25 states, “But the truly happy people are those who carefully study God’s perfect law that makes people free, and they continue to study it. They do not forget what they heard, but they obey what God’s teaching says. Those who do this will be made happy.” That was the New Century Version. God's word not only leads the Christian to being happy, but leads him or her to living true life. If you want to experience life the way God intended it, you can. God has provided a way for you to be forgiven from the sin debt which stands between you and him. God is holy, and he cannot have fellowship with anyone who willing disobeys him. However, he has provided a way for you to be made right with him, through his Son Jesus Christ.

Scripture quoted (NCV) is from The Youth Bible, New Century Version, copyright © 1991 by Word Publishing, Dallas, Texas 75039. Used by permission.

Discrepancies in the New Testament Books (TMF:344)

Thursday, February 18, 2016
Peace to Live By: Discrepancies in the New Testament Books (TMF:344) - Daniel Litton
(tap or right-click link to download two-minute feature)

       I want to take a moment and quickly discuss some discrepancies within the 27 New Testament books. There is some debate today among theologians as to whether certain passages of Scripture should be considered part of the New Testament canon. Perhaps of the two most famous examples are John chapter 8, involving the woman caught in adultery, and Mark chapter 16, involving Jesus' instructions to the 11 Apostles. Some Bibles will have these passages bracketed or starred as doubtful. For John chapter 8, the earliest manuscripts are said not to include this passage. As for Mark 16, some of the early manuscripts did not include this passage. I think part of the debate stems in not only the manuscript discrepancies, but some some feel there are doctrinal problems within these passages. Putting aside either of these issues, I believe that these passages should be included in the New Testament simply because God has included them for the past 1600 years at least. God is the one who can persuade the human heart, and these passage have stayed part of God's Word. He could have easily has them removed a long time ago if he had wanted to.

Things Considered to Include a Book in the Canon (TMF:343)

Wednesday, February 17, 2016
Peace to Live By: Things Considered to Include a Book in the Canon (TMF:343) - Daniel Litton
(tap or right-click link to download two-minute feature)

       There were two more things considered in placing a book in the Canon of Scripture. Secondly, for a book to be included in the Canon of Scripture it had to show it's own originality. After all, if all the books were almost identical or the same, there would be no purpose of all the different books. Thirdly, it was important for a book that was to be placed in the New Testament to be considered accepted by the original first and early churches. And it would come about that there would be no book doubted by the churches to be included in the Canon. But how can we be sure that the books in the New Testament are actually the Word of God? Well, based on everything I've said we need to have faith in God that they are indeed the Word of God. Remember, God is in control at all times, and he is even able to turn the hearts of people. At any time, then, God could have corrected error in regard to his Word. I feel we can be confident in God that he is put together a perfect book. But it wasn't until 397 A.D. that we have gathered together what is the New Testament as we consider it today. This decision was made by The Council of Carthage. This is all 27 New Testament books.

The New Testament as Part of the Biblical Canon (TMF:342)

Tuesday, February 16, 2016
Peace to Live By: The New Testament as Part of the Biblical Canon (TMF:342) - Daniel Litton
(tap or right-click link to download two-minute feature)

       Perhaps even more amazing than this is the fact that all of the Old Testament books were quoted by the New Testament authors, with the exception of Esther, Ecclesiastes, and the Song of Solomon. As an aside, perhaps the reason for Esther not being quoted is because the book bears the name of a woman, which perhaps would not have been culturally acceptable by many at the time. And perhaps Ecclesiastes and Song of Solomon were not included because of the nature of their content. I want to turn now from the Old Testament and take a look at the New Testament, and how it relates to being part of the Canon of Scripture. Books that were accepted into the Canon were said to have the authority of an apostle behind them. In the early church, the 12 Apostles were considered the spiritual leaders of the Church. These apostles were the ones that were originally given the Great Commission, except for Matthias, of course. Jesus also bestowed on these people special supernatural abilities, though some of this special connection to God was shared by others. It is important to note that an apostle did not write every book and New Testament. However, it is said that an apostle must have approved a said book for it to have been included in the Canon. Luke is a good example of a New Testament writer that was not an apostle.

The Apocrypha is Not Included in the Biblical Canon (TMF:341)

Monday, February 15, 2016
Peace to Live By: The Apocrypha is Not Included in the Biblical Canon (TMF:341) - Daniel Litton
(tap or right-click link to download two-minute feature)

       It wasn't until 1546, for instance, that some included the books of the Apocrypha as part of the Biblical Canon. The Apocrypha were books that were written from 400 B.C. to the birth of Christ, which included books about Israel and the things of God, but they are not inspired by God. Due to the obviously significant late date, among other more important factors, we obviously do not include the Apocrypha as part of what we believe as pertaining to the inspired books of God in the Canon. Now, how does the New Testament come into play when evaluating the canonicity of the Old Testament? It is good to note that 250 times in the New Testament, the authors quote Old Testament books. Perhaps even more amazing than this is the fact that all of the Old Testament books were quoted by the New Testament authors, with the exception of Esther, Ecclesiastes, and the Song of Solomon.