The early Christians took over the Jewish Bible in its
Greek form, which
included certain books not included in the Hebrew canon.
They called it the “Old Testament”, distinguishing it from the “New
Testament” consisting of:
• four narratives of Jesus teaching and
ministry (Gospels),
• an account of the apostles ministry,
• 21 letters written by or attributed to Paul and other apostles,
• an apocalyptic book of prophesy.
All of them were written between 45 and ca. 140 AD. Christians regard these
writings as being inspired by God and therefore setting the norm for all
subsequent Christian teaching and practice.
Only much later did the notion
of a “literal inerrancy” take form.
