It's about Providence, not voting

Canonicity

I’ve taught history and religion courses in secular colleges and universities and one topic that always came up was the doctrine of the Bible’s canonicity. It the term is unfamiliar, it refers to the canonical status of a book — whether it was deemed inspired and should it be included the collection of books we now call the Bible. The problem got worse after a popular author (who would have failed a freshman history course) published his book and they were made into movies. Dan Brown is just wrong.

Historically

The question of canonicity can only be discerned historically, as there is no prophecy in the Bible that reveals what its contents would ultimately be. We know from history how the canon was recognized and that there were disagreements. But as believers we must also process these historical events theologically.

Not church councils

I am not referring to the records of councils but the records that indicate what believing communities thought about their sacred books at various times. Yes, there were councils at which such matters were discussed, but they occured in the wake of much widespread engagement. Ancient documents provide evidence for an ongoing and active discussion over which books were inspired. For examples, how many writers quote and mention certain books can show us whether they thought those books were the word of God. We have access to early lists of sacred books along with commentary about the books that were debated.

Debates

It often bothers people that there were debates about whether certain books were canonical. IT shouldn’t. One either believes that providence is real, or not. If those who claim to follow Jesus don’t believe that the unseen hand of God is behind the acts and events of men - what we call history - then how serious can one’s faith be in regard to the Bible’s teaching about salvation? The reality of God and what God can do (and does) is not fragmented into truths and “less true truths.” Men didn’t debate, write or hold meetings of which God was not aware, or at which he was absent. God was in the process.

Providential View

A providential view of canonicity looks at all the back and forth among writers and thinkers as God directed the discussion where it needed to go. The Spirit guided people to think well and thereby recognize the sacred, inspired nature of a book. Even in the wake of disagreement, the various Christian traditions recognize almost the same books of the canon. The percentage of agreement against certain books is just as high. The fact that there is disagreement is important testimony that the canon wasn’t just voted on by some clandestine, conspiratorial elite.