I was pondering the canon of Scripture and how we got it today. Part of the study going on at church involves where we got the Bible and the integrity of its message.

So I thought of this bit involving museums.

The artwork in the museum is the product of the artists. People come to see the artwork and are told about that artwork. The staff at the museum learned about and acquired the art. They learned about the artists and what the art was about. They keep the art protected and teach people about it.

The staff in the museum never try to modify the art. You’ll not find a particular curator adding little finishing touches to a Picasso or Monet. Neither will you find a staffer clearing inappropriate bits from Rembrandt or Escher works.

The museum may change the setting around the art, perhaps the frame or the wall color or the lighting. They may host various events to highlight certain displays or set up ambient music to add an atmosphere of focus.

On occasion a visitor to the museum may know more about the paintings than the staff. Once in a while a curator may not know all there is to know about a particular work of art or even have mistaken information about the details or the artist.

One thing that is not questioned, however, in a proper museum is the art itself. A Picasso is definitely a Picasso. The work has been done to ensure it is authentic and accurately identified as just what it is. Nobody gets to add in their own painting and claim it to be a Picasso.

So here’s the question:

Does the museum in fact set in place the veracity of the artwork, its message, its source or existence?

Or does the museum simply contain that which is true and verified as the particular vessel of delivery of said art and communication of information pertaining thereto?

The museum did not produce the art. It does not establish the ruling on the art.

Now take a look at a Bible believing church.

The canon was not developed, added to or taken from by the church. The fathers of the Church had in their grasp the Scriptures the whole time and all that was done about it was committing to those accurate texts. The church is the container that is focused on the Bible. Each believer is a curator of the Canon who is expected to know and be able to explain it. Some may be limited in their knowledge, some may not be experienced or even talented in their handling of the Scriptures.