[gscc]

Very simple - the only role that man-kind played in the formation of Scripture and the canon was as a tool. God didn't need the Apostle Paul or Peter to write Scripture, he didn't need the Church to tell us what the canon was - the Creator chose to use His creation to convey the scripture and formalize them as canon.

[InterestedQuestioner]

"Very simple - the only role that man-kind played in the formation of Scripture and the canon was as a tool. God didn't need the Apostle Paul or Peter to write Scripture, he didn't need the Church to tell us what the canon was - the Creator chose to use His creation to convey the scripture and formalize them as canon."

Gscc, I think we're pretty close to agreement on this point. The only point I would nuance is that man is not a tool, he is a man. I know, you are using tool in a metaphorical sense, so we're not in disagreement, but I think it's important to be clear about that clarification.

You're absolutely right, God didn't need the Apostles Paul and Peter to write Scripture, nor did He need to use the Church to determine the canon. But the fact is, He did choose those means. Furthermore, you and I do need the Church to tell us what the canon is, in the same sense that we need the Apostles Paul and Peter to write the Scriptures which come down to us through their authorship. It's not out of an absolute necessity, but rather because that was precisely and uniquely the means that God ordained for you and I to receive the Scriptures.

By the way, I like the font you used on your last response to me. Did you do that just by shrinking it down a size?