How were the final books selected for our Christian Bible? Who decided what books would be chosen and which ones would be left out? Why do some Bibles contain books that others do not? Skeptics of Christianity will often pose these questions and Christians struggle to answer them. This week we will help you gain confidence to answer these and more.
Watch this short clip from the Museum of the Bible:
What does the word canon mean?
The word canon means measurement, body of principles, rules, standards, or norms. According to Smith’s Bible Dictionary: The Biblical Canon “may be generally described as the collection of books which form the original and authoritative written rule of the faith and practice of the Christian Church, i.e. the Old and New Testaments. The word canon, in classical Greek, is properly a straight rod, a rule in the widest sense, and especially in the phrases the rule of the Church, the rule of faith, and the rule of truth.”
How were the books of the Old Testament canonized?
In a previous post we gave evidence that the books of Old Testament were well established by the Jewish community from the time of Moses, in use through the history of the Nation of Israel, and used in the first century AD/CE by Jesus and the Jewish authority of that day. The New Testament, and the Christian story, is an extension and fulfillment of the Old Testament (see Matthew 5:17-18). Therefore, the Bible’s complete canonization includes both the Old Testament’s 39 books (the original Hebrew Scriptures) and the 27 books of the New Testament.
“Don’t misunderstand why I have come. I did not come to abolish the law of Moses or the writings of the prophets. No, I came to accomplish their purpose. I tell you the truth, until heaven and earth disappear, not even the smallest detail of God’s law will disappear until its purpose is achieved. –Matthew 5:17-18 (NLT)
Watch Christian Apologist Doug Powell’s visual two part presentation on the Old Testament:
Where Did the Old Testament Come From – Part One, The Tanakh
Where Did the Old Testament Come From – Part Two, The Dead Sea Scrolls
How was the books of the New Testament canonized?
- In the first century AD/CE, as soon as the books were written, they were in use by the early Churches (Colossians 4:16; 2 Peter 3:15-16; 1 Timothy 5:18)
- In the first and second centuries the churches in Corinth, Philippi, Thessalonica, Ephesus and Rome still possessed the autographs (the original writings) and many of the manuscripts (copies from the originals)
- By the second and third centuries these manuscripts had been widely dispersed and were being used in the early Churches—this is evidenced by the early Church leaders’ lectionaries and quotations (over 1 million) from the books of the New Testament, and we can still reference them today
- Marcion, a Gnostic heretic in the second century, actually helped the canonization process because he promoted Gnostic teachings and rejected many of the books of the New Testament simply because they were written by Jews
“It was specially important to determine which books might be used for the establishment of Christian doctrine, and which might most confidently be appealed to in disputes with heretics. In particular, when Marcion drew up his canon about AD 140, it was necessary for the orthodox churches to know exactly what the true canon was, and this helped to speed up a process which had already begun. It is wrong, however, to talk or write as if the Church first began to draw up a canon after Marcion had published his.” –F.F. Bruce, “The Canon of the New Testament”
- The first “canon” was the Muratorian Canon, which was compiled in AD/CE 170 and it included all of the New Testament books except Hebrews, James, and 3 John
- In AD/CE 325 the Emperor Constantine proclaimed Christianity as a legal religion, thus putting an end to persecution; the council of Nicaea was convened around this time to combat Gnosticism by confirming the Deity of Jesus (not to canonize the Bible)
- In AD/CE 363 the Council of Laodicea stated that the Old Testament (along with one book of the Apocrypha) and 26 books of the New Testament (everything but Revelation) were canonical and were to be read in the churches
- Athanasius, in AD/CE 367 defending against Arianism, laid down the twenty-seven books of our New Testament (already in use) as canonical alone; shortly afterwards Jerome and Augustine followed his example in the West
- At Hippo Regius in AD/CE 393, and at Carthage in 397, the Christian communities finally codified the 27 books of the New Testament that had already been in use and we had the final canon of the New Testament
Key point: The 27 books were the same ones already in use by Christians since the first century AD/CE—it was not simply a decision by a few people or a single council
Watch another great two part visual presentation by Doug Powell on the New Testament:
Where Did the New Testament Come from – Part One, Church Fathers
Where Did the New Testament Come From – Part Two, Dating the Writings of Paul
What standards were used to canonize the Bible?
Understanding that the Bible is made up of 66 separate books that carry a central theme, and that they corroborate and reference each other should be enough. However, it was important to have specific guidelines that would show the authority and inspiration of the Canon by God. Here is an example of the very strict guidelines used to affirm each book:
- Does it speak with God’s authority?
- Is it consistent with God’s teachings throughout history?
- Is there evidence of God’s Words and promises from Scripture?
- Does it contain the Prophetic principle? —“Thus says the LORD”
- Does it have the authentic stamp of God?
- Do the teachings relate to truth and the truths of the Old Testament?
- Are the teachings consistent with the teachings of Jesus, the Prophets, and the Apostles?
- Does it follow the past truth principle of previous revelation found in Scripture?
- Does it impact us with the power of God?
- Were miracles evidenced based on these teachings?
- Was there evidence for changed lives in the life of the believers?
- Was it accepted by the people of God?
- The Patristic principle: Was it accepted by the early Church leaders?
- Did the believers in the early church lived by it?
- Was the Scripture found in the early believers’ personal item such as quotations, inscriptions, testimonies, etc.?
- Was it supported by the other authors of Scripture?
- Petrine principle: Did Peter support it?
- Pauline principle: Did Paul support it?
- Can it be referenced in other books of the Bible?
Going Deeper
Check out Greg Koukl’s website STR.org for more in-depth discussions in Christian Apologetics (various topics).
Reflection
- In your own words summarize how the Bible was canonized – select one or two points about canonization that you can memorize and share with someone.
- PTRs (Prayer Focus)—Thankfulness for having God’s Word available to everyone.
Bible Study
Each week we do a Bible study to practice our Bible study skills. Read or re-read 2 Corinthians chapter 4, then answer the following questions:
- In chapter 4 Paul continues to confirm his apostolic ministry by teaching truth and not hiding or changing (“adulterating”) the Word of God for his own benefit. How does Paul describe why unbelievers can’t see the truth? (4:1-4) Do we hear teachings today that try to conform the Word of God to the views of the culture?
- What is the focus of Paul’s ministry and how are we to understand his use of the word “light?” (4:5-7) Extra credit: Word study to see how many times the Bible uses the word “light” and the context and meaning for its uses.
- What kinds of things did Paul go through for the sake of the Gospel and how did he feel about those trials? How did he view death? (4:8-16)
- Copy and read verses 4:17-18. Reflect on what Paul is saying here considering the trials he faced in his life.
- What can we take away from Paul’s teachings in chapter 4 that we can apply to own lives today? (Hint: love for…)
Join us next week as we look at additional corroboration for the Bible’s reliability and authenticity!
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You will not find this material in the public school curriculum even though it is based on solid evidence and grounded in research. It is ironic that following the evidence to where it leads stops at the door of our public schools as they will not let a “Divine footprint” in! Join us as we examine evidence for Christianity and learn how to become a thoughtful defender and ambassador of your faith.
Click into the resource page of this website to view many of the top Christian thinkers and apologists along with some of their work; connecting to these types of resources is essential in your Christian growth.
Please let me know what you think: Give feedback, ask questions or send concerns in the comment section of the blog.
Teri Dugan
TeriDugan@truthfaithandreason.com
1 Peter 3:15
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