3 The New Testament Canon: Why the Canon?

2 Plato's Cave

Before considering many of the early heresies against which the early church had to contend, James Meyers, III first considers the great philosopher, Plato, because many of these heresies derived from his ideas. James gives an overview of Plato’s philosophy which has filtered down to our own day. Therefore, we can get an idea about how these heresies arose, because we can see many of its effects even today. Sea of Fire Ministries on YouTube [https://youtube.com/@seaoffireministries?si=vSRtXaxAeHvJL2j1]

8 An Overheated Oven

James Meyers, III gives a message on Hosea 6:4-7:16, where the people of God are compared to many things which signify their religious inclinations, but they were not truly pious. Even after a call toward piety and godliness, the people are consumed in their own way and not God’s, leaving God frustrated as to how He will deal with His people. They are like “the treacherous bow,” no matter how accurate their aim toward returning to God, they cannot hit the target. James sees this in light of the church, and cautions Her to true repentance with a contrite heart and broken spirit because these God does not despise. Sea of Fire Ministries on YouTube [https://youtube.com/@seaoffireministries?si=vSRtXaxAeHvJL2j1]

7 Come, Let Us Return to the Lord

James Meyers, III preaches a sermon on Hosea 6:1-3, largely seen in light of our resurrection in Christ. James finds this valid, but only in light of what Hosea originally meant. While the vocabulary is correct, and perhaps the intensity with which it was proffered, what is lacking makes it an ungenuine, and thus illegitimate, repentance. There is a tendency to see repentance and how God works as methodical and mechanical, where repentance must be contrite just as God is true and faithful. We can see this through another of the “Minor Prophets,” the famous story of Jonah to which James alludes before encouraging Christians that while we must truly and honestly pursue God, our great comfort is that He pursues us. Sea of Fire Ministries on YouTube [https://youtube.com/@seaoffireministries?si=aBlLSVAmzfpU4OsS]

1 Against Heresies: "Doctrine "Divides"

James Meyers, III begins a new series considering early heresies against which the nascent Church had to combat. However, sadly these heresies live on with different names. James proclaims his desire for the church to return to her fidelity for doctrine to assuage us from such heresies. The lack of doctrine in the contemporary church has given way to these heresies which have permeated the Church. The purpose of this series is to learn about the essences of these heresies that we might know the Truth and remain steadfastly freed by Him, and to defend the hope that lies within us. Sea of Fire Ministries on YouTube [https://youtube.com/@seaoffireministries?si=aBlLSVAmzfpU4OsS]

6 The Qualities of the Canon

As we have taken a brief overview as to some areas of the New Testament Canon, James Meyers, III considers how we might know what is and what is not Canon. Has God given us a means by which we might distinguish between authentic or inspired books and inauthentic or uninspired books. James gives three main corresponding qualities or attributes which, taken as a whole, give us the means for our own confidence in our New Testament Canon. However, as James clarifies, the work of the Holy Spirit is essential toward this end. Without Him, we cannot see, let alone enter, the kingdom of God, and therefore we are blind and deaf to His Word. Sea of Fire Ministries on YouTube [https://youtube.com/@seaoffireministries?si=wYiBJRtcrAeIKgw3]