The New Testament, then, only came into existence because Catholic Church, under guidance of Holy Spirit, declared it so. Written reference to New Testament's existence or its legitimacy are nowhere to be found in Bible itself. Instead, these spring solely from singular authority of Catholic Church. This same New Testament canon was reaffirmed a millennium later at Council of Florence in 1442 and Council of Trent in 1546.

He seems intrigued by history lesson, so you go for closer. You delicately explain that in every Bible text he cited earlier, when writer referred to "scripture" he therefore had to be referring to Jewish scriptures or what we would call Old Testament. The New Testament, as you just described, was centuries from being becoming a reality. It follows, then, that your new friend's rigid belief in Bible supremacy puts him in a difficult position. In citing New Testament, he is actually using a source that is "unbiblical." This means that since there is no place in Bible that legitimizes or sanctions validity of New Testament, he cannot use it to support his own arguments. By declaring New Testament to be a source of truth he is de facto sanctioning authority of Catholic Church.

To aid his understanding, you go on to explain that no thing or person can declare itself a source of authority. Such authority must come from outside itself. To make point, you use example of people making laws in Washington. They did not simply drive there on their own and begin drafting legislation. They derive their authority through a formal election process authorized by Constitution. In like manner, police officers do not roam streets with guns because they like uniforms and weapons. They are empowered by a city or town charter to carry out their duties and those duties have strict limits and oversight.

The same logic applies with Sacred Scripture. Christ wrote nothing down. A book such as Bible cannot declare itself authoritative, it must be declared so by something outside itself. That something is Catholic Church. The Catholic Church compiled, authorized and promulgated New Testament and, combining it with Old Testament, created a Bible for all to use. This is same Catholic Church that suffered Roman persecutions, preserved faith through Dark Ages, fought Crusades and has survived over 2,000 years with unbroken apostolic succession. It is Christ's only Church, one St. Paul called "...pillar and bulwark of truth." (1 Tim 3:15)

His face says it all. Your learned response went far beyond what he was trained to handle. It was not in script. You did not engage in a duel of scripture phrase for scripture phrase. Rather, you presented a historical perspective, one which he has never heard. In a few minutes, you managed to sow confusion in his comfortable world of biblical supremacy. You can tell he is unable to reconcile using Sacred Scripture as a conversion tool for his brand of Christianity when every phrase he cites reaffirms authority of Catholic Church.

He realizes his conundrum and admits that he has a lot of homework to do. Highly intrigued, he asks if you might be a regular visitor to park. He goes on to say that he wants to visit with you again in future. You smile and offer to bring coffee.

It didn't matter that Dad mostly likely would have had more interest in wading through "Volume 7" of an encyclopedia printed in Swahili than psychedelic world of Tolkein. He understood profound meaning of his son's gift. Fighting back tears, Dad held treasured volume in his hands and said, "I promise to give it back, son, as soon as I've read it."

Smiling broadly, Jim turned his attention to my gift to him. Although he was clearly moved by books, a strange awkwardness washed over room as I realized he had no gift for me. After a long moment, he said softly, "I looked through everything I owned, and I couldn't find anything I thought you might want."

Now it was my turn to fight back tears. Apparently, my brother had no idea of incredible gift he'd just given me in that simple statement. After all, what could be a greater gift than to know someone thinks highly enough of you to want to give very best he has—and comes up short?

I smiled and said, "The look on your face is gift enough for me, brother," and I meant every word.

I got many other gifts that year, but I don't remember any of them. And I've been given hundreds of presents since that Christmas long ago, but I can recall only a few of those. But my brother's gift—the one he thought he couldn't give—will always be one of most precious gifts I've ever received.

© 2004. Gary E. Anderson. All rights reserved.