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To: Hodar; wideawake
One of the greatest "re-enforcers" of accuracy of the Old Testament, is the number of copies, independantly kept by various groups, through the centuries has worked to keep them in alignment. If we have 'x' groups that say one thing, and a single manuscript that differs substancially - we can extrapolate that the numerous copies of independant collections must be the accurate copy.

However, in the New Testament we are not so fortunate. The Bible, as we have it now, is a collection of books that were separate - with some books discarded and others accepted. The Council of Nicea essentially "cherry-picked" what books were included and which were rejected. Every council makes concessions to appease various political factions - it's the nature of man.


It would be a good thing if you knew enough to know that what you wrote above is almost entirely at odds with reality (such as your erroneous views of the Council of Nicea and the canon. It didn't have anything to do with establishing the canon). The Council of Nicea met in 325 AD. The canon was pretty much in its current form as long ago as 170 AD. The Apostolic Fathers (70-150AD) quoted from every book in the New Testament with the possible exception of Philemon and III John. Together with them, the Ante-Nicene Fathers (150-300 AD) quoted so extensively from the New Testament that it could essentially be reconstituted from their quotes.

Start with The Text of the New Testament: Its Transmission, Corruption, And Restoration (1964). 2005 4th edition, by Bruce Metzger, with Bart D. Ehrman, (ISBN 0-19-516122-X), and go on from there to The Early Versions of the New Testament: Their Origin, Transmission, and Limitations (1977) and The Canon of the New Testament: Its Origin, Development, and Significance (1987).
50 posted on 06/01/2012 3:03:27 PM PDT by aruanan
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To: aruanan
What about these?

The Book of Jasher (whose title fully translated means the Book of the Upright or the Book of the Just) is mentioned in Joshua 10:13 and 2 Samuel 1:18. From the context in the Book of Samuel it is implied that it was a collection of poetry. Several books have claimed to be this lost text, but are widely discounted as pseudepigrapha.
The Book of the Wars of the Lord. [1] Referenced at Numbers 21:14.
A "Book of Songs" is referenced at 1 Kings 8:12-13 (Septuagint).
The Chronicles of the Kings of Israel (lost/missing) and Chronicles of the Kings of Judah ("2 Chronicles" in the Christian Old Testament or "Divrei Hayamim II" in the Hebrew Tanakh) are mentioned in the Books of Kings (1 Kings 14:19, 14:29). They are said to tell of events during the reigns of Kings Jeroboam of Israel and Rehoboam of Judah, respectively. The Chronicles of the Kings of Israel is again mentioned in 1 Kings 16:20 regarding King Zimri, and many other times throughout 1 and 2 Kings.
"The Book of Shemaiah the prophet, and of Iddo the Seer" (also called Story of the Prophet Iddo or The Annals of the Prophet Iddo) is mentioned in the book of 2nd Chronicles. (II Chr 9:29, 12:15, 13:22). Iddo was a seer who lived during the reigns of Solomon, Rehoboam, and Abijah. His deeds were recorded in this book, which has been completely lost to history, save for its title. However, it is interesting to note that Zechariah was the son of Iddo (Ezra 5:1, Zechariah 1:1)
The Manner of the Kingdom[2] Referenced at 1Samuel 10:25.
The Acts of Solomon[3] Referenced at 1Kings 11:41.
The Annals of King David[4] Referenced at 1Chronicles 27:24.
The Book of Samuel the Seer Also called Samuel the Seer or The Acts of Samuel the Seer, which could be the same as 1 & 2 Samuel .[6] Referenced at 1Chronicles 29:29.
The Book of Nathan the Prophet Also called Nathan the Prophet or The Acts of Nathan the Prophet or History of Nathan the Prophet[5] Referenced at 1Chronicles 29:29, and also 2Chronicles 9:29.
The Book of Gad the Seer[6] Referenced at 1Chronicles 29:29. The Prophecy of Ahijah[7], might be a reference to 1 Kings 14:2-18. Referenced at 2Chronicles 9:29.
The Book of the Kings of Judah and Israel[8] Referenced in 2Chronicles 16:11, 2Chronicles 27:7 and 2Chronicles 32:32. Might be the same as 1 & 2 Kings.
The Book of Jehu[9], Could be a reference to 1 Kings 16:1-7. Referenced at 2Chronicles 20:34.
The Story of the Book of Kings[10] Referenced at 2Chronicles 24:27.
The Acts of Uziah Also called The Book by the prophet Isaiah. Perhaps the same as the Book of Isaiah[7] Referenced at 2Chronicles 26:22.
The Vision of Isaiah[11] Referenced at 2Chronicles 32:32.
The Acts of the Kings of Israel Also called The Acts and Prayers of Manasseh.[8] May be identical to The Book of the Kings of Israel, above. Referenced at 2Chronicles 33:18.
The Sayings of the Seers[12] Referenced at 2Chronicles 33:19.
The Laments for Josiah Also called Lamentations. This event is recorded in the existing Book of Lamentations. Referenced at 2Chronicles 35:25.
The Chronicles of King Ahasuerus[13]. Referenced at Esther 2:23, Esther 6:1, Esther 10:2, and Nehemiah 12:23.

As I said, when you have numerous copies of the Old Testament strew about a large geographical area, the system is self-correcting. If someone "loses" a book or chapter, there is a chance other folks have it. If we look at the "missing" books in the Old Testament - there are relatively few, however the New Testament is missing quite a bunch.

The above mentioned books of the Bible are missing. Gone. Vanished. If you enumerate them, you would see that they were present, the Bible would have almost 1/3 more to it.

You see, I like to have all the data, not censored portions of it. I'm kinda funny that way. And no, I don't take anyone's word for these things; for I believe that I and I alone am accountable for my salvation - not some unknown 3rd party. When it's time for my final judgement, it will be me and Christ at the witness bar.

62 posted on 06/01/2012 5:59:36 PM PDT by Hodar (Talent hits a target no one else can hit; Genius hits a target no one else can see.- A. Schopenhauer)
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