Sojourner,

First of all thanks for the very active dialogue, it is hard to find people, especially believers, who are willing to even THINK about the origins of the canon.  Most prefer (and to some degree I wish I still had) ignorance.  They would rather believe that the Bible just always was, and it didn’t have any stages of development.  I must say, when I first started researching into the canonization of the NT, it became very…disheartening…to say the least.  Suddenly, with the minute amount of new knowledge I had, my "solid rock" had been shaken, knowing the great struggles, battles, and councils the went into the development of the canon we now have.  And the same people who decided on any particular book are also the same people who "solidified", or rather "creed-ified" many beliefs into the church on which I disagree.  But, my comfort in all of this is my faith that Yahweh is in control, and he desires that I know Him and will provide the means by which I can do that.

Next, let me re-emphasize, in a much clearer way, where I have come to at this point.  In the same way that I believe that Yahweh is static, unchanging, I also believe the truth is the same.  I believe Yahweh’s standard of righteousness is also unchanging, although grace is now offered for transgression through Yahshua’s blood.  I therefore have come to the belief that Yahweh’s Law is absolute, unchanging, so long as this world remains at least.  To clarify furthur, I cannot say that the Torah, the entire first five books, is absolute, but that the "book of the law" mentioned numerous times within the Torah is.  These, I believe, are the very words of Yahweh, simply spoken by Him, and written down by Moses.  And "for the mouth speaks out of that which fills the heart (Matt. 12:34)", so Yahweh’s Law is the expression of His heart. 

Contained within this Law (Heb. - torah; teaching) are commandments on how to live holy before Yahweh, and to do the things pleasing to Him.  There are also instructions on how to distinguish false prophets (Deut. 18), types and shadows of the Messiah, blessings for obedience, and curses for disobedience and rebellion.  This Torah was held as the standard to judge whether or not anything spoken was or was not from Yahweh (Isa. 8:20) - "To the Law(Torah) and the Testimony, if they do not speak according to this word it is because they have no dawn." 

I believe the Law stands as the first stepping stone, or the first criterion for establishing (or edifying) our canon.  I also believe that contained within is so much more that would shed light on whether or not any word (written or spoken) is inspired of Yahweh.  If from the Law, the spoken words of Yahweh, we can establish a list of criteria by which to judge all other words, we are then standing on ground that the Father Himself laid, and not the standard "criteria for canonicity" as established by the people.

I am also well aware that there is no "universal consensus" when it comes to criteria.  But I would go as far to question whether or not WE, as flesh and blood humans, even have the power to establish what is, and what is not the word of Yahweh.  Yahweh knows very well the need we have had, and still have, to be able to distinguish His Word, and His commands from all the other "voices" out there.  I don’t think that he left us alone to determine this on our own criteria.  I also believe that due to the common belief that the early church stopped obeying the Law of Yahweh, referred to as "not being under the law", has set limitations on where people are willing to look to find Yahweh’s criteria.  If we are not willing to look into the Law, believing that we are no longer to obey it, and that stands to be the only place where the criteria of Yahweh can be found, we have willingly cut off our arms, legs, head, everything.  The very thing by which the patriarchs and prophets of the past measured any word has been closed to us, and this by our own doing!

I also believe that Yahweh, knowing how likely we are to come up with our own "philosophy", would have established a concrete standard so that each person can’t say, "Well, my way is right, and your way is wrong!"  Although my belief, even though it is being more established the more I study and pray, could be called "my own philosophy" as I have not yet had the time or opportunity to complete my research and come up with a conclusion.  My intention is to read very carefully through the Law, and search prayerfully for these criteria. 

If Yahshua could be judged by this Law (being found blameless) which shows us clearly Yahweh’s stand on (and standard of) righteousness, why can’t any written or spoken word be judged by it as well?  If it stands up to all that is instructed in the Law, not contradicting or maligning it, can we feel confident Yahweh spoke (or inspired) it?

It is also very interesting to note that the other standard we are to adhere to, that being the very life and example of Yahshua, is paralleled in very amazing ways with the Torah.  For example, both He and the Law are called the Way (John 14:6; Ps. 119:1), the Truth (John 14:6; Ps. 119:142), and the Life (John 14:6; Prov. 6:23).  Both are referred to as lights (John 8:12; Prov. 6:23).  Yahshua is the living, breathing, walking, Torah, as well as the fulfillment of numerous things contained therein.  And so much more!!  But I could go on and on about that…for now, canon and criteria.  Thanks again!