In person and online: The Bible we use for study and worship contains 66 distinct books, referred to collectively as the Canon. The word comes from a word meaning ‘measuring stick” and suggests that these are authorized to be considered special. But why are these particular 66 books sacred? One answer, of course, is the working of the Holy Spirit. But the Holy Spirit has worked through humans in a process that took centuries. In this four-week class we will look at how the books of the Old and New Testament were selected and at some works considered and rejected. We will also note that many other Christians accept as canonical books that we do not and will discuss why that is true. We will also seek to understand what makes a book sacred scripture as opposed to just another thoughtful work.
