Kanon, Apokrifa dan Ketidaksalahan Alkitab - Pdt. Dr. Rubin Adi Abraham (06:00 WIB)

Main Ideas, Concepts, and Lessons

• Purpose of the talk

  • Pastor Rubin Adi Abraham presents the Christian doctrine that believers must hold firmly to the truth of the faith, emphasizing the Bible’s canon and its inerrancy (i.e., the Bible has no mistakes in what God intends to teach, including doctrine and practice).

• Why only 66 books are recognized as Scripture

  • Christians affirm the Bible as the Word of God and ask why only 66 books are included:
    • 39 Old Testament books
    • 27 New Testament books
  • The talk contrasts these with other contemporaneous writings that may exist from similar eras.

• Meaning of “canon”

  • Canon originally referred to a measuring stick/rule.
  • In theology, it means the standard/list of books recognized by the early Church as Scripture.
  • The canon is not determined by age alone; even very old writings may not be Scripture.

• What disqualifies a book from being canonical (illustrated with examples)

  1. Not included due to antiquity/age
     • Examples referenced:
       • “Book of the War of the Lord” (Numbers 21:14)
       • “Book of the Upright” (Joshua 10:13)
     • Similar stories to canonical books may exist, but they are not Scripture.
  2. Not based simply on being written in Hebrew
     • Some Old Testament apocrypha may be claimed to be in Hebrew, yet are still rejected.
  3. Not based on harmony with the Torah/Gospels
     • Even if a writing is associated with prophetic figures, it may still not be treated as Scripture (an Elijah-linked example is mentioned, with an unclear subtitle citation).
  4. “Historically valuable” is not the same as “canonical”
     • Paul’s “other letters” are used as an example: historically real writings may still be lost or not included in the canon.

• Clarifying “inspiration” vs. “all writings of an apostle”

  • The speaker emphasizes that being an apostle or being inspired is not automatically the same as every apostolic writing being Scripture.
  • Inspiration applies to the Scriptures God intends.
  • Other apostolic writings may be:
    • lost,
    • historically valuable,
    • but not included in the canon.

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Canon Criteria (Explicitly Given as Structured Conditions)

A) Old Testament Canon Criteria (3 Main Conditions)

1. Authorship

   • The book’s author is a prophet, associated with the gift of prophecy.
   • Example given: Moses is recognized due to prophetic gift.

2. Acceptance and use by the Jewish nation

   • The book is accepted and used in Jewish worship over a long period (described as thousands of years).

3. Approval/confirmation by the Lord Jesus

   • Jesus is said to confirm the Old Testament categories as Scripture (referenced via Luke 24:44):
     • Law of Moses
     • Prophets
     • Psalms
   • This is described as connected to Tanakh/Tenak:
     • Torah, Nevi’im, Ketuvim

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B) New Testament Canon Criteria (3 Main Conditions)

1. Written/confirmed by the apostles

   • Examples given:
     • Matthew, Mark, Luke, John
   • Additional descriptions mentioned:
     • Matthew: eyewitness and apostle
     • Mark: Peter’s protégé (sourced from Peter)
     • Luke: Paul’s protégé; later appointed as apostle (as stated in the talk)
     • John: apostle and eyewitness

2. Used by early Christian congregations

   • Early house churches used these writings widely as Scripture, via letters/scrolls and copies (parchment/papyrus).

3. Aligned with true Christian doctrine

   • The canon is aligned with apostolic/orthodox doctrine.
   • Example: rejection of writings connected to Gnostics (described as teaching that Jesus did not have a real physical body).

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Canon Closure and Implications

• Old Testament: 39 books

  • Linked to Jewish approval via the Council of Jamnia (90 AD) (as stated).

• New Testament: 27 books

  • Linked to recognition via the Council of Carthage (397 AD) (as stated).

• Canon is closed

  • The speaker argues that no one may add or subtract books.
  • Reason given: Revelation teaches a curse for adding or removing from Scripture (specific wording/verse not provided in subtitles).

• If a new “apostolic” writing is discovered

  • It may still not be included as Scripture because:
    • not all apostolic writings belong in the canon,
    • historically valuable writings may remain outside canonical status.

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Apocrypha: Definition, Categories, and Lists

What “Apocrypha” means (as presented)

• Apocrypha are writings:
  • written around the same time as the Bible,
  • sometimes considered “semi-canonical” by some people,
  • but not recognized as Scripture by mainstream Christian canon.

Terminology used for non-canonical/related writings

1. Homolegomena (agreed/shared)

   • Accepted as canonical from the beginning.
   • Example books mentioned: Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, Deuteronomy, Psalms.

2. Antilegomena (disputed)

   • Debated by some early believers.
   • Example: Esther
     • Debate described: no explicit mention of God’s name in the text.
     • Final rationale: God’s saving work is seen through Queen Esther as equivalent in theme to Exodus.

3. Pseudepigrapha (pseudo/fake epigraphy)

   • False writings attributed to others.
   • “Pseudo” means not genuinely inspired or not truly by the named author.

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Apocrypha types and example lists mentioned

Old Testament apocrypha (examples listed)

• 1 & 2 Esdras
• Tobit
• Judith
• Additions to Esther
• The Wisdom of Solomon
• Ecclesiasticus / Jesus, son of Sirah
• Baruch (referred to via “the new with the letter of Jeremiah”)
• Song of the Three Holy Children
• Susanna and the Dragon
• Prayer of Manasseh
• 1 & 2 Maccabees

New Testament apocrypha (examples listed)

• Teachings of the 12 Apostles
• Letter of Barnabas
• Letter of Clement
• 1 & 2 (as stated—speaker mentions “1 and 2” and then continues with titles)
• The Shepherd of Hermas
• Revelation of Peter
• Story of Paul and Thekla
• Letter of Polycarp to the Philippians
• Seven letters of Ignatius
• The Gospel of Matthew (as mentioned)
• The letter of James (as mentioned)
• Beginning of the Gospel of the birth of Mary
• Gospel of Nicodemus
• Gospel of Thomas (or “child savior”)
• History of Joseph the carpenter
• Lost letter to the Corinthians
  • described as forgery / pseudepigrapha based on 1 Corinthians 5:9
  • and an idea linked to Colossians 4:16 about exchanging letters with Laodicea

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Reasons Christians (as claimed by the speaker) reject apocrypha as Scripture

Old Testament apocrypha

• Not included in the canon accepted by the Jewish council (Jamnia, as stated).
• A time gap is argued:
  • The Septuagint produced earlier (speaker mentions 2nd century BC),
  • apocrypha later recognized in a way that excludes earlier Jewish canon decisions (described as a centuries-long gap).
• Church councils (1st–4th century) rejected them (speaker’s claim).
• The Roman Catholic Church is said to accept 14 additional Old Testament apocrypha books, with Council of Trent (1546) mentioned as key.
• The speaker concludes Protestants reject “deutero-canonical” texts due to disagreement about canonical authority.

New Testament apocrypha

• Not used universally in the wider early church in a comprehensive way (described as only locally/temporarily known).
• No church council is claimed to classify them as canon.
• Many are described as forged, mystical, gnostic, or linked to heresies.
  • Example: Gospel of Thomas (claimed not necessarily written by the apostle Thomas).
  • Example: Gospel of Barnabas (speaker distinguishes between the epistle letter of Barnabas and a much later Gospel of Barnabas).
  • The speaker claims the Gospel of Barnabas described teaches an unusual crucifixion claim and that the author is not the real Barnabas.

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Inerrancy / Inerrancy of the Bible: Main Points

• Definition

  • The Bible is held to be inerrant: it cannot be wrong or mistaken.
  • Biblical support mentioned/quoted:
    • Psalm 119:142, 151
    • Proverbs 30:5

• Argument structure presented

  • If Scripture can err in a “small part,” trust in doctrine would collapse.
  • The speaker uses an argument from Jesus about trusting earthly vs heavenly truths (John 3:12).
  • Therefore, the speaker argues the Bible is true in:
    • doctrine and practice
    • and also in matters of history and science when referring to the original manuscripts (autographs)
  • It is framed that later copies/translations may introduce issues, but the original Scripture is reliable.

• Critique of “limited inerrancy” (liberal view)

  • The speaker describes a view that protects doctrine/practice but allows errors in history/science.
  • The speaker argues this ultimately undermines doctrine and practice because people reinterpret Scripture.
  • An example mentioned involves shifting interpretation in relation to LGBT perspectives.

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Response to Claims That the Bible Text Is “Falsified”

• Masoretic text timing objection (speaker’s claim)

  • Criticism mentioned: Hebrew “Masoretic” completion around 900 AD is said to mean it was “constructed after” major historical events.

• Counter-evidence claimed

  • Dead Sea Scrolls (found in 1947) are said to include Old Testament manuscripts from the 1st–2nd centuries BC, about 1000 years earlier than the Masoretic tradition.
  • The speaker claims these match the Masoretic text closely, supporting reliability.
  • The speaker also claims accuracy is supported by the Greek translation tradition (Septuagint) relative to later Hebrew text.

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“Contradictions” Addressed with Explanations (Examples Listed)

The speaker gives multiple instances where readers may perceive discrepancies, and offers harmonizing explanations:

• Acts 9:7 vs Acts 22:9

  • Question: Did the companions hear the voice?
  • Answer: Paul heard/understood the voice; companions’ experience is not treated as the same in meaning.

• Matthew 27:44 vs Mark 15:32 vs Luke 23:39

  • Question: How many criminals/blasphemed?
  • Answer: Multiple may have mocked initially; later one repented and was saved, with each account emphasizing different moments.

• Numbers of the dead (approx. 2,000+)

  • Speaker cites:
    • 2 Samuel “plague deaths” (spoken as described)
    • contrasted with 1 Corinthians 10
  • Answer: numbers are approximate/rounded and may be spread across time.

• 2 Samuel 24:1 vs 1 Chronicles 21:1 (David incited)

  • Question: God incited David, or Satan incited David?
  • Answer: God can use Satan’s agency while remaining sovereign—so not a true contradiction, but coordinated action.

• Elhanan and Goliath (2 Samuel 21:19 vs 1 Samuel 17:50)

  • Answer: possibly multiple “Goliaths,” or different individuals/related fighters; the texts refer to different circumstances.

• Judas death (Matthew 27:5 vs Acts 1:18)

  • Answer: Judas died by hanging, but his body fell/ruptured after death—details differ without mutual exclusivity.

• Closing method implied

  • Discrepancies are addressed by:
    • deeper understanding,
    • research,
    • not assuming error immediately.
  • The speaker urges viewers to investigate God’s Word rather than dismiss it.

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Call to Action (Practical Instructions)

• Read the Bible every day
• Meditate on the Word day and night
• Obey God’s words
• Study spiritual books related to Scripture
• Strengthen doctrine
  • Not only practice/ethics like love, forgiveness, honesty, but also strong knowledge about:
    • God,
    • the doctrine of Christ/Jesus,
    • and being able to answer questions from others

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Speakers / Sources Featured (as stated)

Speaker

• Pdt. Dr. Rubin Adi Abraham

Scriptural sources mentioned/quoted

• Psalm 119:142
• Psalm 119:151
• Proverbs 30:5
• John 3:12
• Luke 24:44
• Colossians 4:16
• 1 Corinthians 5:9
• Acts 9:7
• Acts 22:9
• Matthew 27:44
• Mark 15:32
• Luke 23:39
• Revelation (curse about adding/removing; specific verse not provided in subtitles)
• 1 Samuel 17:50
• 2 Samuel 21:19
• 2 Samuel 24:1
• 1 Chronicles 21:1
• Acts 1:18
• Matthew 27:5
• Matthew, Mark, Luke, John (gospel authorship discussion)
• Deuteronomy / “du tawari” reference (as spoken in subtitles; exact citation unclear)
• Joshua 10:13 (Book of the Upright)
• Numbers 21:14 (War of the Lord)
• 1 Corinthians 10:8 (death count reference)
• 2 Samuel plague count reference (spoken but exact verse unclear)

Councils / historical sources mentioned

• Council of Jamnia (90 AD)
• Council of Carthage (397 AD)
• Council of Trent (1546)
• Dead Sea Scrolls (found 1947)

Non-scriptural works/terms mentioned

• Septuagint
• Masoretic (Masoretic text)
• Tanakh / Tenak (Torah, Nevi’im, Ketuvim)

Apocryphal works named

• Old Testament apocrypha: 1–2 Esdras, Tobit, Judith, Additions to Esther, Wisdom of Solomon, Ecclesiasticus/Jesus son of Sirah, Baruch (implied), Song of the Three Holy Children, Susanna and the Dragon, Prayer of Manasseh, 1–2 Maccabees
• New Testament apocrypha: Teachings of the 12 Apostles, Letter of Barnabas, Letter of Clement, Shepherd of Hermas, Revelation of Peter, Paul and Thekla, Polycarp to the Philippians, Ignatius (seven letters), Gospel of Matthew (as stated), Letter of James (as stated), Gospel of the birth of Mary, Gospel of Nicodemus, Gospel of Thomas (child savior), History of Joseph the carpenter, lost letter to the Corinthians (forgery theme)
• Classification terms: homolegomena, antilegomena, pseudepigrapha