Dogmatic Theology Vol 1 - Shedd - IX - Chapter 2 (Authenticity of the Scriptures)

Required readingDogmatic Theology Vol 1 by William G.T. Shedd (Available from Amazon or free here) - Read Chapter 2 (Authenticity of the Scriptures).

My summary

Today we read a very short chapter on the authenticity of the Scriptures (next week's longer chapter will make up for it!).

Shedd teaches us about the authenticity of the New Testament (which then authenticates the Old Testament).  

The arguments for the genuineness of the New Testament are found in:

(i) the language;

(ii) the testimony of the ecclesiastical writers of the first three centuries;

(iii) the testimony of heretical writers of the first three centuries;

(iv) the testimony of pagan skeptics of the first three centuries;

(v) the early versions of the New Testament;

(vi) the doubts that were expressed by some portions of the church respecting some parts of the New Testament.

What grabbed me

I liked the way Shedd distinguised between the authenticity and the credibility of the Scriptures:

'The authenticity of a book is its genuineness.1 A written composition is authentic, if it is the product of the person to whom it is attributed. The Apostles' Creed lacks authenticity, because it was not composed by the Apostles, to whom it is attributed; the Epistle to the Romans is authentic, because it can be proved to be the composition of St. Paul.

The credibility of a book is distinguishable from its authenticity. Gulliver's Travels is authentic, being the genuine product of Swift, but its contents are fictitious. In the case of human products, there may be authenticity without credibility. But in the case of a Divine product, the fact of authenticity establishes the fact of credibility. If it be proved that God is the author of the Bible, the Bible must be credible. Hence in reference to the Scriptures, the two topics of authenticity and credibility are inseparable, and must be discussed in connection with each other.'

Next week's reading

Read Chapter 3 (Credibility of the Scriptures).

Now it's your turn
Please post your own notes and thoughts in the comments section below.