Why Were Some New Testament Books Disputed?
The New Testament is the inspired record of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, written by the apostles and their close associates. It contains four Gospels, historical narrative, letters of instruction, and the prophetic book of Revelation. While most of these writings were recognized quickly by the early church as Scripture, a small number were disputed for centuries before gaining universal acceptance.
These disputed writings—often called the antilegomena (“spoken against”)—include Hebrews, James, 2 Peter, 2 John, 3 John, Jude, and Revelation. Understanding why these books were questioned helps us see how the canon developed, how the early church discerned God’s Word, and how the integrity of the Gospel was preserved.
1. The Criteria for Recognizing New Testament Scripture
From the earliest days, the church used certain criteria to recognize whether a writing was truly Scripture:
Apostolic origin – Written by an apostle or by someone closely associated with an apostle.
Orthodoxy – Consistent with the truth of the Gospel and the teaching of Jesus and the apostles.
Widespread use – Read publicly and recognized across the churches in different regions.
Books that met all three standards were quickly accepted, while those with uncertainty in one or more areas were examined more carefully. This process was deliberate, reflecting the church’s commitment to preserve the authentic witness to Christ (2 Peter 1:16–21).
2. The Nature of the Antilegomena
By the end of the second century, most of the New Testament was universally recognized, including the four Gospels, Acts, the letters of Paul, 1 Peter, and 1 John. However, seven books were still the subject of debate:
Hebrews – Questioned due to its anonymity and uncertainty over authorship.
James – Rarely cited in early writings and sometimes misunderstood regarding justification.
2 Peter – Very different in style from 1 Peter, raising doubts about common authorship.
2 John and 3 John – Very short and addressed to specific recipients, making them less widely known.
Jude – Quoted from the book of Enoch, which is not part of the Old Testament canon.
Revelation – Controversial because of its apocalyptic imagery and its association with certain movements like Montanism.
While these concerns slowed their acceptance, none of the disputes ultimately undermined their apostolic truth.
3. The Case of Hebrews
Hebrews was widely valued for its rich teaching on Christ’s priesthood and the fulfillment of the Old Covenant, but its lack of a stated author led to uncertainty. The style and vocabulary differed from Paul’s letters, prompting debates over whether Paul, Barnabas, Apollos, or another wrote it.
Despite the authorship question, its theology—rooted in the supremacy of Christ and the new covenant—was clearly apostolic. Its widespread use in worship and teaching contributed to its eventual full acceptance.
4. The Questions About James
James was sometimes overlooked because it appeared to emphasize works in a way that some misunderstood as contradicting Paul’s teaching on justification by faith. However, James’ focus on living faith that produces good works complements, rather than opposes, Paul’s teaching (James 2:14–26; Ephesians 2:8–10).
Its practical wisdom, deeply rooted in the words of Jesus, confirmed its value to the church. Over time, its harmony with the Gospel was recognized.
5. The Doubts Over 2 Peter
The most debated of the general epistles, 2 Peter differs significantly in style from 1 Peter, leading some to suspect it was written later by another hand. Its warnings about false teachers and emphasis on the certainty of Christ’s return also mirrored themes found in Jude, suggesting some shared material.
The early church eventually accepted that these differences could be explained by Peter using a different scribe or context. Its apostolic witness to the hope of Christ’s coming secured its place in the canon.
6. The Limited Circulation of 2 John and 3 John
These two brief letters are personal in nature—one addressed to “the elect lady and her children,” and the other to a man named Gaius. Their small size and private audience meant they were not as widely circulated as other New Testament books, so it took time for the whole church to become familiar with them.
Once recognized as the work of the apostle John, they were valued for their teaching on truth, love, and the rejection of false teachers.
7. The Concerns About Jude
Jude’s quotation of 1 Enoch and reference to a Jewish tradition about Michael and the devil (Jude 9, 14) raised concerns, since these sources were not part of the Old Testament canon. However, Jude’s use of these examples did not grant them scriptural status; rather, they served to illustrate true points of doctrine for his audience.
Jude’s strong defense of the faith against false teachers aligned with apostolic teaching and confirmed its rightful place in the New Testament.
8. The Controversy Over Revelation
Revelation’s vivid imagery and symbolic visions made it a target for differing interpretations. Some hesitated to include it due to its association with apocalyptic speculation and with movements like Montanism, which claimed new prophetic revelations.
However, the book’s opening and closing affirmations of its divine origin (Revelation 1:3; 22:18–19) and its profound testimony to the triumph of Christ persuaded the church to uphold its authority. Its prophetic call to perseverance in the face of persecution remains vital for believers awaiting Christ’s return.
9. The Resolution of the Disputes
By the late fourth century, councils such as those at Hippo (393) and Carthage (397) affirmed the twenty-seven books of the New Testament as Scripture. The disputed books had been read, tested, and recognized as consistent with apostolic teaching and essential for the faith of the church.
The process shows that the canon was not imposed hastily but confirmed through careful discernment, guided by the Holy Spirit, ensuring that the New Testament we have today is the complete and trustworthy Word of God.
Conclusion
Some New Testament books were disputed because of questions about authorship, circulation, style, or content. Yet over time, the church recognized that each bore the marks of divine inspiration and faithfully testified to the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
The careful recognition of these books strengthens our confidence in the New Testament’s authority. The same God who inspired His Word also preserved it for His people, ensuring that we have all we need for life, faith, and the hope of Christ’s coming kingdom.
