Discover How We Really Got the Bible

Why was the Epistle of Barnabas removed from Bibles? And why did the Gospel of Thomas never make it into the canon? Find out in the May–June ’13 issue of Bible Study Magazine, where we address one of the most controversial topics in recent history: how we got the Bible. We’ve brought in the world’s leading experts on the biblical canon to tell the story. This issue exposes myth, debunks fallacious claims, and shows how our modern Bibles came to be. You won’t want to miss it!

Here’s what’s included in the May–June ’13 issue:

• What does “canon” mean, anyway? Dr. Nijay Gupta explains the history of the term, and why we use it today to refer to authoritative biblical books.   
• 9 books that used to be in Bibles. They were once considered worth including in Bibles, but few modern Bibles contain them. What were they, and why were they removed?
• A timeline of canon history. How and when did biblical books become authoritative? Get a bird’s-eye view with this stunning fold-out infographic.
• Origins of the Old Testament. The story of the Old Testament is complex, but this article by Dr. Lee Martin McDonald helps you understand milestones in the history of its formation.
• Making the cut of the New Testament canon. Four criteria characterize authoritative biblical texts. Find out what they are—and if inspiration is one of them—in this article by Dr. Craig D. Allert.
• Do new archaeological discoveries answer our canon questions? How do the Dead Sea Scrolls shed light on the canon—if at all? Dr. Michael S. Heiser shows us which texts the community at Qumran used.
• Which books are divine? What do we learn about the canon from church fathers like Athanasius?

In addition, this issue features Joni Eareckson Tada on the cover, an interview with Elyse Fitzpatrick, and a new eight-week Bible study on the Psalms. Subscribe today to get the May–June ’13 issue of Bible Study Magazine!