Are forgeries inspired scripture?

[cloudyday2]

Setting aside the question of which if any scriptures might be forgeries, would solid evidence that some NT book is a forgery imply that this book is NOT inspired scripture? If you found out that Slippery Sam from Siam wrote one of the NT books as a practical joke, would you tear that book out of your bible in disgust, or would you be amazed that God can inspire scriptures - even when the writer is not aware that he/she is part of God's plan?

 

[Winken]

Good grief.

 

[cloudyday2]

Good grief.

Too much of a hypothetical for you? There is a serious question beneath the silliness of the hypothetical. Many scholars believe that several of the books in the NT were written as forgeries of some influential Christian leader. A stalwart fundamentalist can ignore these scholars, but most Christians must confront this question: can a forgery be inspired scripture?

 

[Winken]

Too much of a hypothetical for you? There is a serious question beneath the silliness of the hypothetical. Many scholars believe that several of the books in the NT were written as forgeries of some influential Christian leader. A stalwart fundamentalist can ignore these scholars, but most Christians must confront this question: can a forgery be inspired scripture?

Serious question? Only in the mind of the questioner. In no wise is a Christian required or asked to confront it. Scripture is without question the Word of God, Spiritually inspired. Who cares what these "many scholars" believe? Their belief is mental gymnastics, not Truth.

 

[Eryk]

The New Testament documents are the expression of the early Christian communities. Historians interpret the texts by understanding the situation of these communities.

Ironically, the idea that Christianity begins with these documents is a fundamentalist assumption. Christianity began with a movement that wrote the texts.

 

[cloudyday2]

The New Testament documents are the expression of the early Christian communities. Historians interpret the texts by understanding the situation of these communities.

Ironically, the idea that Christianity begins with these documents is a fundamentalist assumption. Christianity began with a movement that wrote the texts.

So how do you feel about epistles that claim authorship by some famous Christian but were probably written by somebody else?

I believe the Christian leaders who decided what books should be included in the New Testament were primarily trying to exclude books that could potentially spawn heretical beliefs. Authenticity was not as important to them. So maybe modern Christians should not be bothered by the thought that some of these books might be deceptive forgeries. Forgery or not, these books are not likely to lead to heretical beliefs.

 

[Eryk]

So how do you feel about epistles that claim authorship by some famous Christian but were probably written by somebody else?

It would make no difference. The texts do not come from illustrious gurus with their own unique insights. The authors don't have to be special. Christianity begins with a group of people who experienced Jesus as Lord and the Holy Spirit spoke through the community in their meetings.

These efforts to tear down scripture are a mirror of fundamentalist bibliolatry.

 

[cloudyday2]

It would make no difference. The texts do not come from illustrious gurus with their own unique insights. The authors don't have to be special. Christianity begins with a group of people who experienced Jesus as Lord and the Holy Spirit spoke through the community in their meetings.

What if the authors were deliberately trying to deceive the readers by impersonating a famous Christian leader such as Peter, John, James, Jude, or Paul? Can an inspired work of scripture be created unknowingly by a person who is intending to deceive the readers?

 

[cloudyday2]

BTW @Eryk , I agree that many atheists play by the fundamentalist's rules when they search for flaws in the Bible instead of searching for flaws in the Christian beliefs and practices.

 

[Hammster]

Too much of a hypothetical for you? There is a serious question beneath the silliness of the hypothetical. Many scholars believe that several of the books in the NT were written as forgeries of some influential Christian leader. A stalwart fundamentalist can ignore these scholars, but most Christians must confront this question: can a forgery be inspired scripture?

No, a forgery cannot be inspired.

 

[Oncedeceived]

In this hypothetical scenario, what proof is there as to the NT books being forged?

 

[HitchSlap]

In this hypothetical scenario, what proof is there as to the NT books being forged?

Ephesians is considered a Deuteropauline epistle.

 

[Oncedeceived]

Ephesians is considered a Deuteropauline epistle.

Considered? Proof?

 

[HitchSlap]

Considered? Proof?

Do you know why it's considered a Deiteropauline epistle?

 

[AV1611VET]

If you found out that Slippery Sam from Siam wrote one of the NT books as a practical joke,

Until that happens, will you admit they aren't forgeries?

 

[AV1611VET]

Many scholars ...

... are called "highminded" in the Scriptures.

 

[HitchSlap]

Until that happens, will you admit they aren't forgeries?

I think that's the point of the OP, it happened.

 

[AV1611VET]

The New Testament documents are the expression of the early Christian communities. Historians interpret the texts by understanding the situation of these communities.

Ironically, the idea that Christianity begins with these documents is a fundamentalist assumption. Christianity began with a movement that wrote the texts.

Today, in the 21st century, messing around with anything other than the King James Bible is playing with fire.

Those who stick their noses in some Masoretic this, or the Strong's that, or the Textus Deceptus, gets what they deserve: confusion.

 

[AV1611VET]

I think that's the point of the OP, it happened.

Then my question is:

Will it result in the OP changing his mind about the Scriptures.

 

[HitchSlap]

Then my question is:

Will it result in the OP changing his mind about the Scriptures.

You should ask him.