Within just a few short decades after the death of the apostle John, divisions were already evident among the early Christians. About 187 AD Irenaeus listed twenty varieties of Christianity; about 384 AD Epiphanius counted eighty.
The Reading Culture of Early Christianity
Many modern-day historians and textual scholars claim that the early Christians did not view the New Testament books as inspired. Was the canonicity, authenticity, and integrity of the 27 New Testament Bible Books built into Christianity right from the very start? What is the truth?