For the next several weeks, during our summer break, we are reviewing one of our previous classes: A Case for the Gospels! This week’s class focuses on the connection from the transmission of the Bible to its canonicity. The canon of the Bible was not something that was done in a single council, nor by a set group of men, but something that was based on what the people of the earliest Christian Churches were using. We will look at some of those groups and councils that were involved along with some of the strict guidelines used in the process.

Watch this week’s class presentation on this topic:

Presentation Notes

A Case for the Gospels
Session Seven: The Reliability of the Gospels via Canonization

Prayer and Reflection

Prayer cards: Take a minute and write your name on the index card provided, and add any special prayer request you might have. Exchange cards at the end of the class this evening.

At your table groups, answer the following:

Go over the categories and the 27 books found in the New Testament.
Go over the 15 major historical events of the Bible.
Recite the Memory Verse:

Christian Apologetics Theme

15 But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, 16 keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander.

1 Peter 3:15-16 (NIV)

HOW DO WE KNOW THE GOSPELS ARE HISTORICALLY RELIABLE?

Multiple lines of evidence give us confidence in the reliability…

God’s Inspiration
The Fuses (cultural, spiritual and prophetic)
Eyewitness accounts (in multiple)
Transmission
Translation
Canonization
Textual Criticism (MAPS-S)

HOW DID THE BOOKS OF THE BIBLE BECOME CANONIZED?

THE FIRST COMPILATION EFFORT:

AD 170: THE MURATORIAN CANON CONTAINED MOST OF THE 27 NEW TESTATMENT BOOKS

(Exception: Hebrews, James and 3 John)

THE FIRST CONFIRMATION OF THE NEW TESTAMENT:

AD 350-363: CODEX SINAITICUS, COUNCIL OF LAODICEA

(Except Revelation)

THE FINAL CODIFICATION OF THE NEW TESTAMENT:

AD 393: COUNCIL OF HIPPO – ALL 27 BOOKS CONFIRMED

Canonization

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?

The books of Old Testament were well established by the Jewish community from the time of Moses (Torah), and was in use through the history of the Nation of Israel (Writings and the Prophets)
The Tanakh was translated into the Greek Septuagint and used in the first century AD/CE
Later translations are taken from the Masoretic text

The New Testament, and the Christian story, is an extension and fulfillment of the Old Testament

How were 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

What standards were used to canonize the Bible?

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?

New Testament Manuscript Families

The Western Text: (2nd to 13th century)
- Includes two early second century manuscripts from the Old Latin and Syriac translations
- Used mainly in North Africa, and then early on in the west
- Irenaeus, Tertullian, and Cyprian used this text

The Alexandrian Text: (3rd to 12th century)
- Originated in Alexandria, Egypt and was used by the early Alexandrian Church fathers

The Caesarean Text: (3rd to 13th century)
- Thought to be a compilation of the Western and Alexandrian texts
- Origen and Eusebius are associated with this group of texts

Most of our modern English Bibles today are taken from one of these last two families. The difference between them is about 200 variants or the equivalent a few words:

The Proto-Alexandrian Texts/Critical Text:

(2nd to 4th Century)

Best known as the “Critical Text” because it has some of the oldest copies available including: Codex Sinaiticus, Codex Vaticanus, Papyrus 66 and the Bodmer Papyrus 75
The New American Standard Version (NASB), English Standard Version (ESV), and New International Version (NIV) reflect this family of texts

The Byzantine Text/Majority Text:

(5th to 10th Century)

Best known as the “Majority Text” because there are more available copies
Adopted in Constantinople and used as the common text in the Byzantine world
Martin Luther translated his German Bible from this family
The King James Version (KJV, NKJV) reflects this family of texts

Going Deeper

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Bible Study

Each week, we are encouraging you to take some dedicated time and spend it in God’s Word. If you’ve been following our class each week, we finished the book of Ruth. Using the method of study that has best worked for you, continue on through the book of 1 Samuel and set a goal of completing that book.

Always remember to pray before you study and ask the Holy Spirit to teach you and lead you into the truth found in God’s Word – pray for protection from the evil one who will try to discourage, distract and deceive us when we commit to growing closer to the LORD.

Join us next week as we continue our review class: “A Case for the Gospels!”

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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