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I think the article needs more dept as to how writings became established as Scripture=God-breathed.

As said in so many word before, I see Divinely inspired writings becoming established as such by the same means that a true man of God was/is. Association with established authority can help, and “official lists of books are helpful, but that is not essentially the basis for authority.

What we see is God first revealing Himself to man and supernaturally attesting to His reality and truth, (like to Abraham) and of the faith and character of those who believed, obeyed it and testified of it (like Moses).

When adding new laws and codifying the, God raised up a Moses, a holy man of God, like Abraham “the Friend of God,” and whose authority God mightily established by supernatural Divine attestation. And the law given by the hand of Moses (though liberal scholars typically deny that it was) became the standard by which further revelation and men of God were tested and established by, which was a continuing principle. (Is. 8:20; Mt. 22:29-45; Lk. 24:27,44; Jn. 5:39,42; Acts 17:2,11; 18:28; 28:23; Heb. 1, etc.)

By the time of Jesus a distinct body of writings referred to as Scripture was already realized, as is evident by references to the Scriptures by which they substantiated claims, yet without an assuredly infallible magisterium (which only Jesus was), as the Pharisees and Scribes were not, though they sat in Moses seat. (Mt. 23:2) The logic that being the instruments, discerners and stewards of Holy Writ confers infallibly authority would require all to submit to Judaism.

Moving on, the authority of Jesus and the apostles (who like Moses, added new laws), and the faith they preached was also established by a holiness and doctrine which conformed to that which was written, (Mt. 22; Lk. 24:27,44; Acts 17:2,11; 28:23; 2Cor. 6:1-10) as well as by overall constant powerful supernatural attestation of a type which itself conformed to Scripture.

And by such all spiritual authority is proportionately established in relation to its claims, with the Biblical preaching of the Biblical gospel of grace resulting in transformational conversions, among other testimony which corresponds to the claims of Scripture. And which in turn affirms the veracity and Divine inspiration of the Scriptures.

One will notice that when Jesus authority was challenged, He referenced the baptism of John the Baptist, whose authority did not come from men. (Mk. 11:27-33) as well as His own works, (Jn. 5:31-36) and the Scriptures. (Mt. 22:41-46; Jn. 5:39)

The inspired words and faith of the early church would continue to be progressively established as from Heaven by its unique and enduring qualities, which corresponded to its claims. The best church councils could so was affirm what had become manifest as bread from Heaven, but again, its enduring acceptance is due to its qualities and effects.

The church that is the pillar and ground of the truth is the church of the living God, and if its gospel does not manifest the manner (not necessarily the number) of conversions we see in Scripture, usually immediately upon hearing the gospel (though prep work was involved) - resulting from souls being convicted as per Jn. 16:8, and being humbled before as sinners destitute of any moral fitness whereby they may escape Hell and gain Heaven, and thus casting all their faith in the mercy of God in Christ, trusting the Lord Jesus to save them by His sinless shed blood - then it cannot claim to be part of that church.

I think the article needs more depth as to how writings became established as Scripture=God-breathed.

Smiling as God always knows ahead of time, and further prepare the way for us......I say this as today spoke with a young man, influenced by New Age thinking. Our conversation always came back to by what authority and in what authority did his faith rest.

I have no doubt his faith has shipwrecked by his association with New Ages, and evidences this is so by his continueous contradictions as he spoke. Oddly, he referenced and quoted the very scripures from the bible of which he is no longer convinced is "truth".

Also obvious is this fellow is in a spiritual battle which he mistakenly sees as simply his desire to find the truth....yet he is unwilling to accept the truth and the authority of that truth. I noted also there seems to be a need for him to appear intellectual.

I need a simplified way of speaking with him about how the scriptures came to us.....he agreed it's possible God would use the men and then thru history and scriptures reveal Christ. But he is not convinced of the accuracy of History nor of those who wrote of it...let alone the scriptures.

I will reread your post here Daniel, and try to simplify this enough for me to grasp in such a way as i can present it to this individual....so any more you might share would be helpful. I believe this fellows soul is at stake and God is trying to bring Him back into the fold....or he is not saved and needs to meet Christ.

P.S. Any others who might offer an opinion will be greatly welcomed.