Challenge: The Gospels Were Selected for Political Reasons
The 463 Reasons Christianity Is False site is the gift that keeps on giving. Here���s a challenge about the Gospels:
The selection of the gospels to be included in the Bible was made by a council of Christian bishops convened in Nicea in Bithynia by the Roman Emperor Constantine I in AD 325. At this council, four gospels were selected from a total of approximately 60 that were in use at the time���.
The other 56 or so gospels that were discarded do not agree for the most part with the four that were selected. Examples are the Gospel of Thomas, the Gospel of Judas, the Gospel of Peter, the Gospel of the Nazarenes, the Gospel of the Ebionites, and the Gospel of the Hebrews.
[W]hat should be troubling to a questioning believer is that the council undoubtedly preferentially selected the gospels that were favorable to the Romans (i.e., the ones that made them look good) and excluded whatever did not flatter them. It is certain that this process resulted in a whitewashed portrayal of history.
Do you know how to answer this one? How were the Gospels selected (and what reasons do you have for thinking so)? Answer this challenge in the comments below, and then come back here on Thursday to hear Brett���s response.
