The Canon of Scripture How we got our Bibles?

It’s Canon…

Not Cannon

Canon Canon - Authoritative collection

Why the Canon? Why did the church feel it necessary to compile the books of the Bible into one book? 1.) Attacks on the Bible. 2.) Content of NT writings testified to their authenticity 3.) Apostle’s writings used in public worship, so they needed to know which ones were canonical 4.) Edict by Emperor Diocletian in 303 A.D. that all sacred writings be burned.

Development of the Canon Hebrew/Palestinian Canon OT Books as one unit. Mentioned by Jesus in Luke 24:44 Still used by Jews today

Development of the Canon Alexandrian Canon Used by Christians During 2nd-3rd century BC, the Hebrew Canon was translated into Greek. This was called the Septuagint. The Septuagint included the Apocrypha. Between AD 0-90, the New Testament was added to the Alexandrian Canon.

Development of the New Testament Canon Church Councils affirmed the books that went into the canon. The first church council – The Jerusalem Council – AD 50-60 (Acts 15) The issue was circumcision of Gentile believers

Recognition of the Canon During the time of the Apostles Paul quoted the OT, Deuteronomy 25:4, in 1 Timothy 5:18. Paul affirmed the OT as God’s Word! Peter affirmed Paul’s writings as Scripture! 2 Peter 3:15-16 New Testament letters were being read and circulated throughout the region.

Recognition of the Canon Era of the Church Fathers Clement of Rome (A.D. 95), mentions at least 8 New Testament books in a letter Ignatius of Antioch (A.D. 115) acknowledged at least 7 books Polycarp (A.D. 108), disciple of John, acknowledged 15 letters

New Testament Canon 170 A.D., the Muratorian Canon was compiled. This had all the books recognized as canonical by the church. Only books not in there (Hebrews, James, one epistle of John) We’ll come back to this!

Tests for Canonicity Council of Laodicea A.D. 363, they stated that only the OT and the 27 books of the NT were to be read in the churches. So what were the “tests” or “criteria” for a book to be in the Bible? Or why these books?

Tests for Canonicity Council at Hippo, A.D. 393 Augustine laid out the general contents of the New Testament If it was written by a disciple or apostle If it was written by someone close to the disciples or an apostle (Luke, Mark) It must be consistent in content to the rest of the Canon (Orthodoxy) It must benefit the whole Body (Catholicity)

Tests for Canonicity Council of Carthage, A.D. 397 Provision for no other books to be added to the Canon Another Council of Carthage, A.D. 419 upheld this view

Debated Books In both the Old Testament and the New Testament, there were some books that were debated. Old Testament: Esther, Ecclesiastes, Song of Solomon New Testament: Hebrews, James, 2 Peter, 2 and 3 John By the Council of Hippo, affirmed every book in the Canon that we have today in our bibles

What about the Apocrypha? Augustine had the Apocrypha included with the other 39 books of the OT but did not see them as authoritative. Council of Trent, 1517 A.D. recognized them as canonical, but only the Roman Catholic Church. Jesus never quoted from the apocrypha, nor did Paul.