What is the New Testament?

What Is the New Testament?

Christian Diversity and Its Historical Roots

Christianity today encompasses a wide range of denominations, each with unique beliefs and practices. However, this diversity is not a modern phenomenon. Even in the second century, Christians held vastly different understandings of their faith, including beliefs in multiple gods and varying views on the nature of Jesus. Some early Christian groups followed texts that contradicted what later became recognized as the New Testament.

Formation of the New Testament

The New Testament comprises writings believed to be authored by Jesus' apostles. Historians question whether all early Christians agreed on fundamental religious points, indicating that diverse beliefs existed even in the first century. Notably, the early church excluded many other writings that claimed apostolic authorship.

The Hebrew Bible vs. the Christian Old Testament

Prior to Jesus' time, people recognized the sacred texts found in the Jewish Scriptures, known as the Hebrew Bible. By the second century, scholars and religious leaders had largely established these texts. Christians later referred to these writings as the "Old Testament" to distinguish them from the New Testament. While there is some overlap in content, different traditions categorize and number these books in various ways.

Examples of Early Christian Groups

Jewish-Christian Adoptionists

This group believed Jesus was a righteous man chosen by God, but not divine. They held that Jesus was "adopted" as God's son at his baptism. Followers were required to obey Jewish Law, including practices like circumcision and dietary restrictions. They rejected the apostle Paul and his writings, considering them heretical, and used a Gospel similar to Matthew, but without its first two chapters.

Marcionite Christians

Marcionite Christians believed that Jesus and the God of the Old Testament were separate beings. They viewed the Old Testament God as wrathful and just, contrasting with their understanding of Jesus' God as merciful. They rejected Jewish Law entirely and embraced Paul's teachings. They held that Jesus only appeared human, was fully divine, and did not possess a physical body.

The Canon of Scripture

A "canon" refers to an authoritative collection of religious texts. The New Testament canon was not universally accepted in the early centuries, as different Christian groups had various texts. The formation of the canon involved debates regarding which writings accurately reflected Jesus' teachings.

Conclusion

Understanding the early diversity of Christianity is essential for grasping the formation of the New Testament. Scholars examine the different early Christian groups to uncover the reasons behind their choices of which books to include in the Bible and which to reject. The various beliefs of these groups highlight how Christianity evolved, ultimately shaping today’s religious traditions.