We Love God!

God: "I looked for someone to take a stand for me, and stand in the gap" (Ezekiel 22:30)

Canon of the New Testament: 1. Early Christian writings gradually collected. Gospels. Paul’s writings (2 Peter 3:16). 2. Marcion, Gnostic heretic (139 A.D.) determined list of writings. Rejected O.T., revised Luke’s gospel, ten Pauline epistles. Restricted list. 3. Montanus claimed divine revelation. Expanded list. 4. Church responded to these attempts to expand or restrict. 5. Irenaeus, 180 A.D. cites 22 writings as acceptable: 4 gospels, Acts, 13 Pauline epistles, 1 Peter, 1, 2 John and Revelation. 6. Muratorian list - named after Italian Muratori (1740) who discovered such. Fragment dated late 2nd to 4th century. 22 books plus Apocalypse of Peter. Hebrews, 1,2 Peter, 3 John and James omitted. 7. Tertullian (150-230) – 22 books accepted: 4 gospels, Acts, 13 Pauline epistles, 1 Peter, 1 John, Jude, Revelation. 8. Origen (185-255). Three categories of writings: a. Acknowledged: 4 gospels, 13 Pauline epistles, 1 Peter, 1 John, Acts, Revelation. b. Disputed: 2 Peter, 2, 3 John, Hebrews, James and Jude; also Epistle of Barnabas, Shepherd of Hermas, Didache. c. Heretical: Gospel of Thomas, Gospel of Peter, etc. 9. Eusebius (260-340). a. Acknowledged: 4 gospels, 14 Pauline epistles (Hebrews included), I Peter, I John, Acts. b. Disputed: James, Jude, 2 Peter, 2, 3 John, Revelation. Spurious: Shepherd of Hermas, Epistle of Barnabas, Didache, Acts of Paul. c. Heretical: Gospel of Thomas, Peter, Acts of Andrew etc. 10. Codex Sinaiticus (4th century). 27 books plus Epistle of Barnabas and Shepherd of Hermas. 11. Council of Laodicea (363) - 26 books. Revelation omitted. 12. Athanasius (367) - first time list includes the 27 books of present N.T. 13. Jerome's Vulgate included 27 books of N.T. 14. Augustine (397), 3rd Council of Carthage, accepted 27 books of N.T.
James Fowler

Lord, grant that from hence I may learn to withdraw thoughts, affections, desires, and expectations entirely from the world, and may fix them upon the heavenly state, where there is fullness of joy; where reigns heavenly, sweet, calm, and delightful love without alloy; where there are continually the dearest expressions of this love; where there is the enjoyment of this love without ever parting; and where those persons, who appear so lovely in this world, will be inexpressibly more lovely, and full of love to us. How sweetly will those, who thus mutually love, join together in singing the praises of God and the Lamb. How full will it fill us with joy, to think that this enjoyment, these sweet exercises, will never cease or come to an end, but will last to all eternity.
Jonathan Edwards