Which of the following tests was NOT used by the Council in Carthage to verify the New Testament books?

The correct answer identifies that alignment with modern interpretations was not a test used by the Council in Carthage to verify the New Testament books. The process of canonization for the New Testament was primarily focused on criteria relevant to the time, such as apostolic authorship, which ensured that the texts came from those who were either apostles themselves or closely associated with apostles.

Additionally, alignment with the Old Testament was significant, as the early church sought to maintain continuity with the Jewish scriptures. Widespread church acceptance was essential because the texts needed to be recognized and used by a significant portion of the early Christian community to be considered authoritative.

In essence, the criteria applied by the Council in Carthage were based on historical and theological authenticity rather than contemporary interpretations, which were not a consideration at that time. This highlights the process of canonization as rooted in early church beliefs and practices rather than in the evolving interpretations that developed later.