The Authoritative Canon (1689 1:2-3)

The Authoritative Canon (1689 1:2-3)

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Previously, I discussed how the 2nd London Confession opens with a clear and unambiguous declaration that the Bible is the only sufficient standard for Christianity. But the question is which books are considered the authoritative canon? Which documents has God preserved through the ages for His Church? Confusion about the canon of Scripture is as common in the modern world as it was in the days of the authors of the 1689. In sections 1:2-1:3 of the Second London confession, the authors clearly state where Christians can find the words of God.

(1:2) Under the name of Holy Scripture, or the Word of God written, are now contained all the books of the Old and New Testaments, which are these:
Of the Old Testament:

Genesis Exodus Leviticus Numbers Deuteronomy Joshua Judges Ruth 1 Samuel 2 Samuel 1 Kings 2 Kings 1 Chronicles 2 Chronicles Ezra Nehemiah Esther Job Psalms Proverbs Ecclesiastes The Song of Solomon Isaiah Jeremiah Lamentations Ezekiel Daniel Hosea Joel Amos Obadiah Jonah Micah Nahum Habakkuk Zephaniah Haggai Zechariah Malachi
Of the New Testament:

Matthew Mark Luke John Acts Romans 1 Corinthians 2 Corinthians Galatians Ephesians Philippians Colossians 1 Thessalonians 2 Thessalonians 1 Timothy 2 Timothy Titus Philemon Hebrews James 1 Peter 2 Peter 1 John 2 John 3 John Jude Revelation

All of which are given by the inspiration of God, to be the rule of faith and life.

(1:3) The books commonly called Apocrypha, not being of divine inspiration, are no part of the canon or rule of the Scripture, and, therefore, are of no authority to the church of God, nor to be any otherwise approved or made use of than other human writings.

1689 Baptist Confession of Faith, Articles 1:2-1:3

Good Resources for Further Study

I won’t spend much time today arguing for why the books the 1689 lists are, in fact, the authoritative canon of Scripture. Other authors and theologians have written a number of excellent resources on this topic. I will list a few of them below before analyzing some other parts of this passage from the confession:

Other Texts Affirming the Canon

The authors of the 1689 contain a single verse in support of section 1:2 where the authoritative canon of Scripture is defined. The verse is the most well-known statement on Scripture in the whole Bible.

All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness,

2 Timothy 3:16 ESV

Now, this verse is crucial for any Christian’s understanding of Scripture. The authors likely included this text as a citation for section 1:2 because it states all Scripture has authority because it is breathed out by God. However, 2 Timothy 3:16 doesn’t directly give what books Paul has in view when he uses the phrase “all Scripture.” There are several other passages given in the Westminster Confession of Faith that help clarify this:

…and how from childhood you have been acquainted with the sacred writings, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus.

2 Timothy 3:15 ESV emphasis added

For if you believed Moses, you would believe me; for he wrote of me. But if you do not believe his writings, how will you believe my words?”

John 5:46-47 ESV emphasis added

But Abraham said, ‘They have Moses and the Prophets; let them hear them.’ And he said, ‘No, father Abraham, but if someone goes to them from the dead, they will repent.’ He said to him, ‘If they do not hear Moses and the Prophets, neither will they be convinced if someone should rise from the dead.’”

Luke 16:29-31 ESV emphasis added

And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he interpreted to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning himself.

Then he said to them, “These are my words that I spoke to you while I was still with you, that everything written about me in the Law of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms must be fulfilled.”

Luke 24:27, 44 emphasis added

Notice that the Old Testament canon contains the sacred writings which are defined as the books of Moses, the Prophets, and the Psalms. “Moses, Prophets, and the Psalms” are the three main sections in the Hebrew Bible. Therefore, both Jesus and Paul affirm that the entire Old Testament canon is God’s word. Not only that, the Old Testament is “Christian Scripture” in the sense that it’s main emphasis was communicating truths about the coming Messiah, Jesus.

Time doesn’t permit me to go through the texts which witness to the inspiration of the New Testament Canon. Instead, I refer you to this excellent little article that contains this helpful paragraph:

And far from endorsing a heterodox blend of doctrine, the NT authors always point to one God, one Christ, one Gospel and one faith delivered to the saints. The four Gospel writers are either apostles (Matthew and John) or else close associates who relied on apostolic witness (Mark with Peter; Luke with Paul). The Apostle Paul describes his own teaching, both spoken and written, as the Word of God (1 Thessalonians 2:13; 2 Thessalonians 2:15). When he tells Timothy that the labourer deserves his wages, he is quoting the Gospel of his friend Luke as Scripture (1 Timothy 5:18; Luke 10:7). And when Peter refers to Paul’s letters (plural) as Scripture (2 Peter 3:16), he shows that even at this early stage, there was a collection of Pauline epistles circulating with scriptural authority.

From: The New Testament canon: Why these 27 documents? by Subby Szterszky

Scripture (Not Human Writings) Have Authority in God’s Church

Notice that the authors of the 1689 are aware that knowing which books are authoritative canon and which books aren’t canonical has immense practical implications for Christians. Notice first that the authors clearly state the canon only contains books that are inspired by God. The implication is that any book not on this list is not inspired by God. Of the thousands upon thousands of books that have been written since the beginning of the world, only these 66 were inspired by the living God.

The authors then connect this idea of inspiration to the inherent authority of Scripture. If you read a book by a great philosopher, they might have some insightful things to say. But their words do not have authority in your life. You can choose whether to believe and apply their words or to reject them. The Bible, on the other hand, speaks with authority because it speaks the words of your all-powerful Creator. As such, you cannot pick and choose which words of Scripture you will believe and obey.

Every word from God carries the authority of God.

The authors of the 1689 then connect this idea of an inspired, authoritative canon to the topic of Church practice. Human writings or ideas do not have the final say in how God’s Church is to behave. After all, it is God’s Church. Any argument about Church doctrine, practice, or structure needs to be based on support from the authoritative canon of Scripture.

The ultimate authority of the Church rests in the authority of God’s Word to the Church.

Practical Implications

1. Spend most of your time reading the only authoritative source on life

John Wesley has a marvelous quote describing how Christians should react to the Bible.

O give me that book! At any price give me the Book of God! I have it. Here is knowledge enough for me. Let me be homo unius libri [a man of one book].”

John Wesley

“Of making books there is no end” the teacher in Ecclesiastes says. You could also say “of reading books there is no end.” If you spent all day every day reading from morning to night, you would not read half the books that have been written. But if you are a Christian, there is only one book you really need to read: the Bible.

But you must ask yourself the following questions:

  • How much time each day do you spend reading the Bible?
  • Do you spend more time in the Bible than you do reading great works of fiction?
  • Is the Bible your preferred source of wisdom over self-help books?
  • Do you use your spare moments to meditate on Scripture or to scroll through your social media feed?

There has never been a time in history where humans have had more ready access to information. The problem is 99.99999% of the information available to you on a daily basis is not given by God and therefore has no authority in your life. Do you want to know how to live? Then there is one place you should go: the Word of God. To live your life by any other authority is damning and to prefer any other source of information to the Bible is a waste.

Examine your information intake throughout the day. How much of it is spiritually profitable? How can you adjust your habits and schedule to get more time in Scripture?

2. The closer a book is to the teaching of Scripture, the more useful it is

One of my favorite J. C. Ryle quotes from one of my favorite J. C. Ryle books is

Value all books in proportion to the extent they agree with Scripture. Those that are nearest to it are the best, and those that are farthest from it—and most contrary to it—the worst.

“Thoughts for Young Men” by J. C. Ryle

Everyone, even unbelievers, can agree that some books are better written than others, are of higher quality than others, and more impactful than others. But the Christian must also evaluate whether one book is more spiritually beneficial than another. The question the Christian asks is how do you evaluate a book written by a sinful human being and tell whether it is profitable or dangerous? The answer is simple: ask how much of it agrees with the authoritative canon of Scripture.

Ryle’s quote applies not only to books. It applies to any form of information intake. What videos do you watch online? Which podcasts do you regularly listen to?

Any time you receive information from any source, your first question should be “can this be true based on what I know about God’s Word?”

Measure, evaluate, examine all things in light of the Bible. Error is subtle. If it wasn’t, it wouldn’t be dangerous. If you want to keep your mind fixed on Christ, you will have to carefully consider whether the sources of information you engage with are consistent with Scripture or not.

This post is part of a new series walking through the 1689 2nd London Confession. For other teachings I have done in the past, click here. If you found this post helpful, please share on social media below and subscribe. Follow The Average Churchman on Instagram to get more content.

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