The Bible, the Church, and Authority: The Canon of the Christian Bible in History and Theology (Michael Glazier Books) (Paperback)

by Joseph T. Lienhard (Author) "What is more certain than the Bible, an immovable pillar of stone?..." (more)
Key Phrases: strict verbal inspiration, social inspiration, impersonal authority, New Testament, Old Testament, Holy Spirit (more...)

Product Details

• Paperback: 120 pages
• Publisher: Michael Glazier Books (August 1995)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 081465536X
• ISBN-13: 978-0814655368
• Product Dimensions: 8.2 x 5.4 x 0.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 5.9 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #142,058 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

15 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent Tool for understanding to creation of Canon, September 3, 1999

By A Customer

This wonderfully written book is not a history of the formation of the canon nor is it a justification for the Catholic or Protestant Canon. The author doesn't try to justify any one position. This book deals with many difficult questions, but at the same time, he answers in a manner that allows you to come to your own conclusions. For example, Why are there two version of the Old Testament? Is the Canon infallible? What does and did Gods inspiration mean? Why can so many people read the Bible and come up with so many different doctrines? These questions are tackled in the manner that provides a tool rather than a simplistic answer. It was the "Rule if Faith." The author explains the role that the "Rule of Faith" played in the development of the Canon and its interpretation. I great book, easy to read, well written.

14 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Exposes the importance of the canon, July 21, 1999

By	[e-mail] (Miami, Florida) - See all my reviews

Especially edifying is the section on exactly when there became two Bibles, Catholic and Protestant. Written fairly, he shows how Trent did not "add" books to the Bible, only recognized books already considered canonical through the centuries by most of the Church. Luther in his turn, chose the shorter canon, with his own historical reasoning (some prominent Church Fathers preferred the shorter text, like Jerome). The book also does a good job of reviewing how the New Testament was formed. But this book put to rest the deuterocanonical question. The Bible has 73 books, not 66, and arguments for the shorter canon shows their historical weaknesses. Very good read.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars The Bible, the Church, and Authority: The Canon of the Christian Bible in History and Theology, February 14, 2007

By	Patrick E. Siebert (Deltona, FL) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

An enthralling read. Being a novice at learning the origins of Christianity and First Century Christianity, I was most impressed with the ease at which Father Lienhard explained the issues faced by the Early Church Fathers and the later Reformationists. I was drawn to the book like a magnet. Father Lienhard does not write preferentially for one faith or the other. He gives you facts as they were (and are) and lets you form your own conclusions. I am totally satisfied with this book.