During the Puritan era in England, the Westminster Confession defined a list of 66 books as the Bible for the Church of England, establishing it as canon law. This doctrine was taught as essential and given legal authority through the Westminster Confession. Are some now claiming that the Westminster Confession itself is scripture? It was never included as a 67th book. Was the list of 66 books intended only for the Church of England? Other churches had their own lists, and shortly thereafter, the Catholic Church formally defined its canon of scripture at the Council of Trent, which included more than 66 books.
Are many now asserting that the 66-book Bible is the definitive version for all, as if it were determined by God rather than by human decision? This could only be true if the list itself were found in scripture, which would effectively make the Westminster Confession scripture. Yet it is not one of the 66 books it endorses, creating a paradox.
It is more reasonable to acknowledge that human councils determine which books to include in their Bibles, and each church council may adopt its own list. As a result, there are many Bibles, reflecting the decisions of various church councils worldwide.
