Replies

“I did not say that any of the writings within the Canon of Scripture were not inerrant or original.”

What you are saying is that no one knew the scripture was the scripture until some Papist person figured it out a few hundred years later, as if no one knew anything, or could know anything, until a decree was made sorting it out.

For what logical reason should we assume that the Apostles, who believed they were writing scripture, did not take measures to insure their works were widely available enough that Polycarp and Ignatius could quote from so many? I thought since the printing press had not been made, there’s no way someone who received an epistle of Paul could have had something from, say, Peter or John.

“These include Gnostic works like the Gospel of Thomas, the Gospel of Judas and the Proto-Evangelium of James.”

Looks like Ignatius and Polycarp did not have any problems with the Gnostic works.

“And yes, when the Canon of Scripture was proclaimed in the late 4th century the “Romanists” shared the proclamation with the whole world.”

Really? So, they didn’t have a printing press either, yet could not do what the Apostles could do. Sorry, but that doesn’t appear to have been a real problem for getting the scriptures out to the church. I mean, with 5,000 New Testament manuscripts in GREEK that have been discovered (which implies a whole lot more were available), I don’t think the lack of a printing press or modern transportation was a serious problem for them.

"What you are saying is that no one knew the scripture was the scripture until some Papist person figured it out a few hundred years later, as if no one knew anything, or could know anything, until a decree was made sorting it out."

Many did not know what was legitimate and inerrant and what was not other than through the Sacred Traditions. The purpose of the Canon was to identify those writings that were to be read during the liturgy. As you point out there were no printing presses. I will give you partial credit for admitting that a Pope was involved.

Peace be with you

"I mean, with 5,000 New Testament manuscripts in GREEK that have been discovered..."

I am familiar with the work of the INTF. While it is true that the INTF have discovered nearly 5800 New Testament manuscripts that does not mean that they have 5800 complete New Testaments dating to the late first century. There are only partial remnants of writings dating to the late second and early third centuries which not surprisingly contain texts not in the canon of Scripture.

The vast majority of the manuscripts in the INTF collection date from the late fourth century to the 10th century. That the Eastern Church has maintained the use of Greek texts explains this.

Peace be with you