Video Description:
Who gave Wes Huff—and every other Protestant—the 27-book New Testament?
Martin Luther did not treat every New Testament book equally. He questioned or downgraded Hebrews, James, Jude, and Revelation, placing them after what he called the “true and certain chief books” of the New Testament.
That creates a devastating authority problem:
If Luther could question these books, who within Protestantism possessed the binding authority to correct him? Could a Protestant pastor exclude Luther for refusing to accept the same canon that Protestants accept today? And how can anyone know with certainty that God inspired exactly 27 New Testament books—no more and no fewer?
In this presentation, Sam Shamoun examines:
- Martin Luther’s treatment of the disputed New Testament books
- The Lutheran “canon within the canon”
- The books disputed by ancient Christians
- Why different ancient Christian communities preserved different collections
- Why Western Protestants accept 27 New Testament books
- The Councils of Florence and Trent
- The Catholic Church’s authority to settle the canon
- Why Scripture calls the Church—not the individual reader—the pillar and foundation of the truth
The Bible does not contain an inspired table of contents. Therefore, before anyone can appeal to “Scripture alone,” that person must explain how he infallibly knows which writings constitute Scripture.
So we ask Wes Huff directly:
WHO GAVE YOU THE NEW TESTAMENT?
Biblical references
1 Timothy 3:15 — The Church is the pillar and foundation of the truth.
Matthew 16:18–19 — Christ establishes his Church and grants binding authority.
Matthew 18:17–18 — Christians must hear the Church; the Church can bind and loose.
Luke 10:16 — Those who hear Christ’s authorized representatives hear Christ.
John 16:13 — The Holy Spirit guides into truth.
Acts 15:1–29 — The apostolic Church settles a doctrinal dispute through a binding council.
2 Thessalonians 2:15 — Christians must preserve written and oral apostolic traditions.
2 Timothy 2:2 — Apostolic teaching is entrusted to succeeding teachers.
Ephesians 2:19–22 — God’s household is built upon the apostles and prophets.
Hebrews 13:7, 17 — Christians must remember and obey their spiritual leaders.
2 Peter 3:15–16 — Peter places Paul’s writings alongside “the other Scriptures.”
Jude 14–15 — Jude cites a prophecy associated with Enoch.
