Are the Right Books in the Old Testament?

The living God has revealed Himself to the human race by means of a book—the Bible. It is a collection of writings that God has uniquely inspired. The Bible is God’s only written revelation of Himself to humanity. It tells us everything that we need to know about who He is, who we are, and how we can have a relationship with Him. The Scriptures have not come down to us in one book but rather in a collection of books. Since there were many religious and historical works written during biblical times, which books should be recognized as coming from God? Is it possible that any sacred books are missing from the Bible? Are there any books included in Holy Scripture that should not be there?

Part 1 Introduction To The Canon Of Scripture
Question 1 What Is The Canon Of Scripture?
Question 2 Why Is The Issue Of The Canon So Important?
Question 3 If God Divinely Inspired Certain Books, Then Should We Expect Them To Be Preserved?
Question 4 Why Didn’t God Give A Divinely Inspired List Of The Exact Contents Of Scripture?

Part 2 Are The Right Books In The Old Testament?
Question 5 Who Were The People Who Spoke For God During The Old Testament Period? (The Old Testament Prophets)
Question 6 How Are The Old Testament Prophets Described?
Question 7 Were All Of The Books Of The Old Testament Written By Prophets?
Question 8 How Was The Old Testament Canon Of Scripture Put Together?
Question 9 Were The Writings Of Moses Considered To Be Scripture?
Question 10 How Were Books Apart From The Writings Of Moses Determined To Be Scripture?
Question 11 When, By Whom, And Where Were The Books Of The Old Testament Finally Collected?
Question 12 What Was The Earliest Writing That Was Placed In The Old Testament Canon?
Question 13 What Criteria Were Used To Recognize Which Books Belonged In The Old Testament Canon?
Question 14 What Are Some Inadequate Criteria As To Why A Book Should Be Part Of The Old Testament Canon?
Question 15 What Were The Non-Canonical Books That Were Mentioned In The Old Testament?
Question 16 Why Was The Authority Of Certain Old Testament Books Questioned?
Question 17 Did The Sadducees Have A Different Old Testament Canon Than The Rest Of Judaism?
Question 18 What Was The Extent Of The Old Testament Canon Among The People Who Wrote The Dead Sea Scrolls?
Question 19 Why Is There A Threefold Division Of The Old Testament Canon? (Law, Prophets, Writings)
Question 20 Was The Hebrew Canon Determined After The Time Of Christ? (The Council Of Jamnia)
Question 21 Does The New Testament Quote The Old Testament As Authoritative Scripture?
Question 22 Did The New Testament Recognize A Completed Old Testament Canon Of Scripture?
Question 23 Apart From The New Testament, What Other Historical Evidence Is There For The Old Testament Canon?
Question 24 Why Do The Jews And Christians Understand The Old Testament So Differently?
Question 25 What Can We Conclude About The Old Testament Canon?

More From The Bible

Don Stewart • The Christian faith is based upon a Book – the Bible. In this book we will look at some introductory questions concerning this book of books. These include: What kind of book is the Bible? What does it claim for itself? Why is it so important to study this one book? “Why does humanity need a written revelation from God?” If the Bible claims to be the Word of God, then why should we believe it? These questions are primary. They must be answered before any serious study of the Bible can begin.

What Everyone Needs to Know About the Bible

Don Stewart • The Christian faith is based upon a Book—the Bible. In this volume we will look at some introductory questions concerning this “Book of Books.” These include: What kind of book is the Bible? What does it claim for itself? Why is it so important to study this one book? “Why does humanity need a written revelation from God?” If the Bible claims to be the Word of God, then why should we believe it? These questions are primary. Indeed, they must be answered before any serious study of the Bible can begin.

10 Reasons to Trust the Bible: The Ten Wonders of the Bible

Don Stewart • Christianity is a faith that is based upon a book. Indeed, for Christians, in all ages, there has been one supreme and comprehensive source of knowledge about God and humanity; the collection of writings known as “the Bible.” We also find that the Bible itself claims to be the last word on all matters. Whenever it speaks on a subject, it speaks with the ultimate authority of the Living God. These are the claims of Scripture. But are they true? This book provides evidence as to why we should accept these claims. It looks at ten specific things that set the Bible apart from any other book that has ever been written. Indeed, the facts will demonstrate that it is exactly what it claims to be – the divine revelation of the living God to the human race.

Ancient Mysteries of the Bible Solved: Volume 1

Don Stewart • In this first Volume, Ancient Mysteries of the Bible Solved, we will examine the historical accuracy of people, places, and events mentioned in the Old Testament. Volume 2 of this series will consider the historical accuracy of the New Testament. To previous generations, the existence of these biblical characters and events were a mystery. In other words, there was no confirming evidence for the claims of Scripture. With the help of the modern science of archaeology, the discoveries of ancient inscriptions, as well as other technologies, all of this has changed. Indeed, we will discover that the Bible is correct in its historical references based upon the evidence that continues to be discovered.

Does the Bible Claim to Be the Word of God?

The subject of the authority of Scripture is the focus of this particular book. In many ways, this is the most important topic that we will study. Without an authoritative Word from God, humanity is left in the dark about who God is, who we are, and what God expects from us. This part of our course looks at matters of final authority. We will also look at the subject of the divine inspiration of the Bible. It is important that we also understand the sense in which the Bible is the authoritative Word of God. What is the extent of divine inspiration? Does it include the choice of very words that are used in Scripture? Does it include every part of Scripture? We will carefully look at what the Bible itself has to say about this subject.

Is the Bible the Ultimate Source of Authority?

Nov 6, 2022 • Don Stewart • The Bible claims to the God’s authoritative Word to the human race. In both testaments we find that the writers believed they were recording God’s actual words. This is what the Bible has to say about itself. The idea that the Bible is the authoritative Word of God is not only accepted by Protestant Christians, it is also accepted by Roman Catholics, Mormons, Jehovah Witnesses and various other groups. The difference between Protestants, and these other groups, with respect to the place of Scripture, comes down to one issue and one issue alone. We now arrive at one of the most important matters which we will address; the extent of the authority of the Bible.

Does the Old Testament Apocrypha Belong in the Bible?

Don Stewart • There are a number of ancient books that did not find their way into the Old Testament which are considered divinely authoritative by some people. They are known by a variety of names; including the Apocrypha, the Old Testament Apocrypha, or the deuterocanonical books. In this book, we will list these apocryphal books, briefly explain their content, and then focus on the reasons that have been given for their inclusion in the Old Testament canon. We will also consider reasons given for their exclusion. In addition, we will look at the historical process that led some to place these books into the Old Testament Scripture.

Are the Right Books in the New Testament?

Don Stewart • This book will examine in detail the question of the New Testament canon of Scripture. Among other things, we will look at the different sources of authority for the first Christians. We will find out where they believed ultimate authority resided. We will also consider the various books that are presently part of the New Testament and look at the reasons for their inclusion in the canon. It is also necessary to have an overview of the historical process that lead to their recognition by God’s people. We will discover why these books were received as authoritative by the church, and why other books were not.

Answering Bible Difficulties

Don Stewart • The Bible is God’s trustworthy revelation of Himself to humanity. Historically, Christians have believed that His Word is true in all that it teaches. However, believers do recognize that the Bible does contain a number of difficulties. This book concerns the subject of Bible difficulties as well as the doctrine of the inerrancy, or trustworthiness, of Scripture.

Bible Translations

Jul 10, 2022 • Don Stewart • The Bible is the most translated Book in history – no other book even comes close. This is because most people do not read the Bible in the ancient languages in which they were written. Therefore, they have to depend upon a translation to understand the message of the Scripture. This section will discuss some of the main issues relating to Bible translations. We will examine the difference between a translation and a paraphrase as well as the various ways in which the Scripture has been translated. We will also consider some of the decisions that have to be made whenever the Bible is translated from the original languages into English. In addition, some guidelines will also be given on how to choose the right translation for you.