There is a complicated history behind the collection of books we call the Bible. Because we usually experience it as a single book between two covers, we don’t often think about its complexity. But the history is fascinating, and getting to understand that history can enrich our understanding of the scriptures we read. In this first session of the series, Doug Chaplin will lead us in thinking about how the New Testament came together.
Despite the order in which the books appear in our Bible, many of the letters were written before the gospels. The early church also generated quite a lot of other literature, which different churches and groups valued. The later church recognised some of this as valuable, and some as heretical. Part of the story of how we got the Bible we now have is the story of how they established which books reflected, taught and expressed the faith of the apostles.
Come along and explore the history of how the Old Testament section of the biblical library was put together.
Doug Chaplin is the Discipleship and Lay Training Officer for the Diocese.