Council For Canon

I have always wanted to revisit my college Bible Introduction notes and book, but I never seemed to have the time. The course I took was incredible, taught by the man who wrote the book, Peter Wegner. I had questions about the Bible and how it got to us that actually were bothering my faith enough. Those questions were settled in that BI class. Well, as my prof. Guenter used to say, "The best way to learn something is to teach it." Now it is my job to teach the 6th graders how the Bible came to us, so I finally get to take the time to review my BI notes and book!

I decided to create a "Council For Canon" in which we as a class would examine all the books of the (Protestant) Bible and also the Apocrypha (because of some Roman Catholic background students in my class) and some Psudepigrapha (False Writings--like Book of Jubilee, 1 Enoch, 2 Baruch). We will even examine the "Gospel of Thomas" and ask why some of these books are not under the covers of "our" Bibles.

After one session of council with my 6th grade, I began to wonder if that was such a good idea. They all affirmed the 5 books of Law, but when we got to the Prophets (using the Hebrew order), four students put their thumbs down or to the side when we voted to affirm or deny. "OK, let's find out why you had your thumbs down. What evidence did not meet the criteria?" (I gave them the 5 points of criteria that the early church fathers used in their council). "Do you have additional questions?" Four students genuinely were not convinced by the evidence I had worked so hard to collect for them.


Last night I tossed and turned about the council. I had dreams about the class and even woke up at 1 am to pray about it. "Am I shaking their faith? Am I shattering their confidence in the Bible as God's Inspired Word?" Of course this was what I originally wanted--a challenge to their naieve acceptance of everything and a chance to teach them to think and evaluate evidence. Finally, during my prayers, God's Spirit quietly reminded me: "It is MY Word, and I will not let it return to me void." Yes! God is Sovereign over His Word! What was I taking the responsibility for?

Day 2 Council: I brought more evidence to the four young 6th grade men (and to the rest of the class). One of the four became convinced beyond doubt when I had them look up Matthew 5.17-18. One of the four would not vote and chose to pass. One of them finally conceded a piece of evidence that I could not bring, but he trusted me about. The fourth one just followed his friend in passing a vote.

I am GLAD they will not just vote like their friends! I am GLAD they chose to think about the documents. Now I just ask your PRAYERS that God will use the council to strengthen the faith of my students, and even bring some of the unbelieving to faith. If this is how they treat the prophets, what will they say about the General Epistles?! Oh, Lord, we claim your promise: "so is my word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and acheive the purpose for which I sent it." Is. 55.11