Final answer:
The selection of the Bible canon was shaped by historical, cultural, and doctrinal factors beyond the agreement of early Christians. Differences among Christian groups, language divisions, and the establishment of Christian doctrine all played a role in the development of the Bible as it is known today.
Step-by-step explanation:
Selecting the Bible Canon
The selection of the Bible canon was influenced by various factors beyond the simple agreement of humble first-century Christians. The early Christians were diverse in their beliefs and practices, with significant debates and arguments about the interpretations of Christ's message. It wasn't until the second century that Christianity began to emerge as a distinct religion from Judaism. This differentiation was further solidified when Roman Emperor Constantine legalized Christianity, and Emperor Theodosius later made it the state religion.
Different Christian groups have different sacred texts. For example, the Catholic Bible includes the Apocrypha, and Mormons use the Book of Mormon. Each group's understanding of the Christian doctrine has influenced their respective texts. Historically, the Bible canon was also shaped by linguistic divisions within the Church, leading to versions such as the Latin Vulgate by Jerome. Furthermore, the definitive canon for the Western Church was not settled until the Renaissance in 1442.
This process shows that the selection of the Bible canon was more than an agreement among Christians; it involved historical evolutions, cultural influences, and doctrinal determinations that varied over time and place.