Ever wondered how we ended up with exactly 66 books in the Bible? Was it just a bunch of old guys in a room making arbitrary decisions?

Maybe someone has told you the Bible was "put together by politicians" or that "important books were left out for their agenda." These claims can shake your confidence — but here's the truth: the process of recognizing which books belong in the Bible wasn't arbitrary, political, or accidental. God didn't leave this crucial decision to chance.

"The church didn't create the canon — the church recognized the canon."

In This Episode, You'll Discover:

• What "canon" actually means and why it matters for your faith
• The four tests the early church used to recognize authentic Scripture
• Why the "lost gospels" like the Gospel of Thomas were rejected (and it wasn't for political reasons)
• How God guided his people across centuries to preserve exactly what he wanted you to have

Practical Applications:

• Confidence in what you're reading — you can trust your Bible completely
• Discernment to evaluate other claims about Christianity and "alternative gospels"
• Deeper appreciation for God's faithfulness in preserving his Word for you

Your Assignment This Week: Thank God for his faithfulness in preserving his Word. If you've been struggling with doubts about the Bible's reliability, ask God to strengthen your confidence based on the careful, Spirit-guided process he used to give you exactly the books he wanted you to have.

Community Question: Have you ever had someone challenge the reliability of your Bible? What was that experience like — did it shake your confidence, or did it make you dig deeper? Email us at Charlie@heychurchmedia.com or just hit the "Send us a text" link below!

We're building something important together in this series, and YOUR voice matters. Follow the show so you don't miss the next episode, and share this with someone who's had doubts about whether they can trust the Bible!

Want to go deeper? Grab the companion guide book on Amazon: https://amzn.to/3LnR4VF

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