Re: The Church Councils around 200 - 300CEPosted By Christopher Go |
Hello Paul,
The Council of Nicea DID NOT CREATE THE BIBLE. The canon of the bible was put tackled in another council. What the Council affirmed was the divinity of Christ against the new teachings of Arius of Alexandria. These Arians (followers of Arius) have become so powerful, in fact, the Emperor Constantine was supportive of their views when he asked the Church to settle this controversy.
Thus the Council of Nicea was made and the bishops of the known world including those that were not part of the Roman Empire upheld the original belief of the divinity of Christ against the new teaching of Arius.
Contrary to what you believe, very early on, the Church already had a set of rules and authority to validate all the writings. I would suggest that your read about Christian History most especially the book "The rise of Christianity" by Rodney Stark. Also read the writings of the Early Christians (St Ignatius, St Polycarp, Clement of Rome, St Ireneaus, etc.) which are readily available in the net.
Please also bear in mind that Christians were also at odds with the Donatists (Christian Gnostics). This was the group that created all those "other books" that never made it to the Bible. It was not that these books were suddenly rejected but they were NEVER ACCEPTED in the first place by the Church.
The Gnostics believed that Jesus Christ was the good God while the God of the Old Testament was the Devil. They created many writings that presented Jesus in fantastic situation like when Baby Jesus went to Egypt all the the idols collapsed.
The bottom line is, Christianity is NOT a religion of the Book. Unlike Islam which is a religion of the Koran. Christianity is a religion not based on the Authority of the Bible, for the bible itself cannot be authority as it has to be interpreted, but on the Authority of the Church, through Apostolic Authority!
Regards,
Chris
The Council of Nicea DID NOT CREATE THE BIBLE. The canon of the bible was put tackled in another council. What the Council affirmed was the divinity of Christ against the new teachings of Arius of Alexandria. These Arians (followers of Arius) have become so powerful, in fact, the Emperor Constantine was supportive of their views when he asked the Church to settle this controversy.
Thus the Council of Nicea was made and the bishops of the known world including those that were not part of the Roman Empire upheld the original belief of the divinity of Christ against the new teaching of Arius.
Contrary to what you believe, very early on, the Church already had a set of rules and authority to validate all the writings. I would suggest that your read about Christian History most especially the book "The rise of Christianity" by Rodney Stark. Also read the writings of the Early Christians (St Ignatius, St Polycarp, Clement of Rome, St Ireneaus, etc.) which are readily available in the net.
Please also bear in mind that Christians were also at odds with the Donatists (Christian Gnostics). This was the group that created all those "other books" that never made it to the Bible. It was not that these books were suddenly rejected but they were NEVER ACCEPTED in the first place by the Church.
The Gnostics believed that Jesus Christ was the good God while the God of the Old Testament was the Devil. They created many writings that presented Jesus in fantastic situation like when Baby Jesus went to Egypt all the the idols collapsed.
The bottom line is, Christianity is NOT a religion of the Book. Unlike Islam which is a religion of the Koran. Christianity is a religion not based on the Authority of the Bible, for the bible itself cannot be authority as it has to be interpreted, but on the Authority of the Church, through Apostolic Authority!
Regards,
Chris
