BI SQ # 3 (Chapter 7)

Since the Canon is composed only of inspired writings, are all the books of equal value? What was Luther’s view?

In my opinion, the Bible is the Word of God. God inspired all of these 66 books in the Bible. God reveals everything about heavens and earth. Every chapter, every verse, every word, is spoken by God through the people. God used the people and the prophets for writing his speech in the Old Testament. In the New Testament Jesus came to the earth for teaching, speaking, sharing, miracles through his disciples in synoptic Gospels. Some apostle was used by Holy Spirit as Luke, Paul etc. So, All of the books are equal value. According to the text book mentions that the word canon is a “standard’ or “rule.” It signifies the record of sacred books accepted by the Church as authoritative in matters of faith and life. It is not difficult to understand why the Gospels came to be recognized as authoritative since they contain accounts of the life and teachings of Jesus. The church fathers accepted all of the books in the Bible.

As Luther is the reformer from Roman Catholic. He fought the views, the doctrines, the Bible of the Roman Catholic. As the text book in Luther’s view state that Scripture only without traditional, was the single and complete source of doctrine. He also said that only the Hebrew canon of the Old Testament and acknowledged books of the New Testament ought to be admitted as authoritative. The Catholic Church was divided in its condemnation of Luther’s statement. Luther concluded that some books of the New Testament were superior to others. He listed the superior books as John’s Gospel, Paul’s epistles especially to the Romans, and 1 Peter. He stated that the Epistle of St. James is a “right strawy epistle” when compare to with them, for it has no character of the Gospel in it. He concluded that James contradicted Paul by teaching righteousness by works.