The canonization of the Bible refers to the process of recognizing which books were considered Scripture by the people of God at the time of compiling the Bible as we know it today. The term “canon” suggests a standard .[1]
When and by whom was the New Testament canonized?
The earliest known complete list of the 27 books is found in a letter written by Athanasius, a 4th-century bishop of Alexandria, dated to 367 AD. The 27-book New Testament was first formally canonized during the councils of Hippo (393) and Carthage (397) in North Africa.
How was the Bible canonized?
The document itself is made to match the Litepaper, while supplying a much deeper explanation of all things Gotchiverse. To aid its application, the team will certainly host the paper on Github, and also provide full transparency of all edits.
Which church council canonized scripture?
These books were included in the Septuagint, a Greek translation of a different Hebrew canon. Early church fathers ... of the King James Bible). Catholics, at the Council of Trent (1546), decided ...
What does canonization mean in the Catholic Church?
canonization, official act of a Christian communion—mainly the Roman Catholic Church but also the Eastern Orthodox Church —declaring one of its deceased members worthy of public cult and entering his or her name in the canon, or authorized list, of that communion’s recognized saints.
When and how was the Bible canonized?
The Muratorian Canon, which is believed to date to 200 A.D., is the earliest compilation of canonical texts resembling the New Testament. It was not until the 5th century that all the different Christian churches came to a basic agreement on Biblical canon.
What led to the canonization of the Bible?
For historical Christians, canonization was based on whether the material was from authors socially approximate to the apostles and not based solely on divine inspiration – however, many modern scholars recognize that the New Testament texts were not written by apostles.
What is the importance of canonization?
The Church's official recognition of sanctity implies that the person is now in Heaven and that they may be publicly invoked and mentioned officially in the liturgy of the Church, including in the Litany of the Saints. In the Catholic Church, canonization is a decree that allows universal veneration of the saint.
What is canon and canonization?
canonization, official act of a Christian communion—mainly the Roman Catholic Church but also the Eastern Orthodox Church—declaring one of its deceased members worthy of public cult and entering his or her name in the canon, or authorized list, of that communion's recognized saints.
What are the four criteria for canonization?
The Wisdom of Solomon (a Jewish intertestamental writing), is included in the accepted works as written in Solomon's honour. Some principles for determining the criteria of canonicity begin to be apparent: apostolicity, true doctrine (regula fidei), and widespread geographical usage.
What is the definition of Canonisation?
1 : to declare (a deceased person) an officially recognized saint. 2 : to make canonical. 3 : to sanction by ecclesiastical authority. 4 : to attribute authoritative sanction or approval to. 5 : to treat as illustrious, preeminent, or sacred his mother had canonized all his timidities as common sense— Scott Fitzgerald.
How the New Testament was canonized?
The 27-book New Testament was first formally canonized during the councils of Hippo (393) and Carthage (397) in North Africa. Pope Innocent I ratified the same canon in 405, but it is probable that a Council in Rome in 382 under Pope Damasus I gave the same list first.
Who made the canon Bible?
Marcion of SinopeMarcion of Sinope was the first Christian leader in recorded history (though later considered heretical) to propose and delineate a uniquely Christian canon (c. AD 140). This included 10 epistles from St. Paul, as well as an edited version of the Gospel of Luke, which today is known as the Gospel of Marcion.
1. The Canon Debated
There are undoubtedly some who are reading these words who might be tempted to believe the study of Canon is dull. Perhaps, you think of the canonization of the Bible as something only academics chat about in dark, book-lined libraries. Maybe you believe that it is of little value to your life as a believer.
2. The Canon Defined
The Canon of the Old Testament was set by the time of Jesus. Jesus recognized the canonicity of the Old Testament, that is, the very collection of books that you have in your Bible today. The doctrine of Christ will naturally, effortlessly, cause the believer to develop a high view of Scripture.
A Defense for the Canon of Holy Scripture
So, the word "canon" is the accurate measurement of a thing against the model in the most general meaning. In the case of Holy Scripture, the written Word of God must equate to the Holy Spirit -inspired ("God-breathed") Word of God. This is the meaning of 2 Timothy 3:16:
3. The Canon Decided
Was there one big meeting in history when the canonization of the Bible was set? No. While there were essential councils of both the Hebrews and the early church fathers, no single gathering of representatives of the Church issued the final Word on the Word of God. The reason is apparent. The Church did not create the Holy Bible.
Is the Canon of Scripture a Product of the Community?
In this view, held by many Roman Catholic believers and some in Protestant denominations, the Canon of Scripture is set, not by one gathering of church leaders on a specific date, but, instead, is authorized by its usefulness and acceptance in the churches.
Is the Canon Both Created and Received through the Work of the Holy Spirit?
Yes. The canonization of both the Old and New Testament developed through time, in localities, by mortal writers, yet all by the supernatural work of the Holy Spirit. The Bible was and is received as the Word of God because it is the Word of God.
4. The Canon Defended
The canonization of the Bible does not need me or any other to defend its divine nature. The heavenly essence of Holy Scripture is its citadel.
What is the process of canonization?
The process of canonization was relatively long and remarkably flexible and detached; various books in use were recognized as inspired, but the Church Fathers noted, without embarrassment or criticism, how some held certain books to be canonical and others did not.
Who was the most influential figure in the canonization process?
The single most decisive factor in the process of canonization was the influence of Marcion (flourished c. 140), who had Gnostic tendencies and who set up a “canon” that totally repudiated the Old Testament and anything Jewish.
What is the Gnostic tradition?
Gnosticism (a religious system with influence both on Judaism and Christianity) tended to foster speculation, cutting loose from historical revelation. In defense the orthodox churches stressed the apostolic tradition by focussing on Gospels and letters from apostolic lives and distinguished them from Gnostic writings, such as the Gospel of Truth (mentioned by Irenaeus) and now found in Coptic translation in a collection of Gnostic writings from Egypt; it is a Coptic manuscript of a Valentinian Gnostic speculation from the mid-2nd century—i.e., a work based on the teachings of Valentinus, a Gnostic teacher from Alexandria. In the same collection is the Gospel of Thomas in Coptic, actually a collection of sayings purporting to be the words of the risen Christ, the living Lord. This “gospel” also occurred in Greek (c. 140), and warnings against it as heretical were made by the Church Fathers in the 2nd to the 4th centuries.
Who was the eyewitness of John?
Papias (died c. 130), a bishop of Hieropolis, in Asia Minor, was said by Irenaeus (died c. 200), a bishop of Lugdunum (now Lyon, France) to have been an eyewitness of the Apostle John.
Did inspiration and canonicity coincide?
Only when the canon had become self-evident was it argued that inspiration and canonicity coincided, and this coincidence became the presupposition of Protestant orthodoxy (e.g., the authority of the Bible through the inspiration of the Holy Spirit).
Why is the New Testament canonized?
We know more of the process of canonization for the New Testament because of many secondary documents. That having been said, the process was similar to the Old Testament. Canonization happened over periods of time as the community of God's people became familiar with the different books and got copies of them.
What does the phrase "the law" mean in the Old Testament?
The Old Testament Canon. When the phrase 'the Law'or ‘the Law and prophets'is used, it denotes that which is accepted as authoritative among God's people. By referring to this twofold reference we know that all the present OT books were included.
What is progressive scripture?
Progressive collection of authoritative scriptures. Written by recognized anointed men of God such as prophets and apostles. Recognized and accepted as authoritative by the community of God's people. We need to remind ourselves that no one person or council made a book 'scripture.'.
What is a Canon?
Define what a Canon is. A Canon is a set of books that are established as authoritative within a religious organisation. In this case we are talking about the Bible and the 66 books that we have been left with which most people believe govern Christianity.
Where did the Bible come from?
Now let’s look at a more authentic source of the biblical books which comes from the Septuagint. These are the books that were translated by Hebrews at the time he spoke Greek. they translated the books to preserve them. All of this was done under Greek and Roman rule.
How many books are in the 39th Festal Letter of Athanasius?
The 39th Festal Letter Of Athanasius Lists the following books as Canon: The Old Testament with 22 books like Jewish tradition. It adds the Book of Baruch, the Letter of Jeremiah, but removes the Book of Esther. And in the New Testament the 27 books we have in the 66 book bible are present.
How many apocrypha books are in the 1611 Bible?
If you want a bible equipped with many of the Apocrypha books and the Old and New Testament books a king James 1611 bible is perfect. It has 14 apocrypha books that were originally a part of the King James bible. Get your king James bible on Amazon here. You can see the contents of a 1611 bible here.
What is the canon of scripture?
They developed what is called the “canon of Scripture.”. The Meaning of “Canon”. “Canon” means “rod” and refers to a measuring rod that was used by carpenters and builders. In relation to Scripture, it refers to the rules and standards by which the various letters and documents were measured to determine whether or not they should be accepted ...
How many books of the New Testament were debated by the early church?
By about 200 AD, there was a list of about 20 New Testament books which were recognized by most church leaders as having the authority and accuracy of Scripture. Seven of the books which we have in our current New Testament which were debated by the early church are: Hebrews, James, 2 Peter, 2 John, 3 John, Jude, and Revelation.
Why are some of the Gospels not in the Bible?
The reason these books were not included in the Bible is because of something called the Canonization of Scripture.
Where did the word Catholic come from?
The word Catholic in those days is not the way we use it today, late Middle English (sense 2 of the adjective): from Old French catholique or late Latin catholicus, from Greek katholikos ‘universal’, from kata ‘with respect to’ + holos ‘whole’.
What are the branches of Christianity?
Other branches are Orthodox Christianity, Oriental Christianity, Confessional Christianity, and Reformed Christianity.
What is the meaning of the term "canon" in the Bible?
Answer. The term “canon” is used to describe the books that are divinely inspired and therefore belong in the Bible. The difficulty in determining the biblical canon is that the Bible does not give us a list of the books that belong in the Bible.
How many books of the Bible are canonical?
In AD 363, the Council of Laodicea stated that only the Old Testament (along with one book of the Apocrypha) and 26 books of the New Testament (everything but Revelation) were canonical and to be read in the churches. The Council of Hippo (AD 393) and the Council of Carthage (AD 397) also affirmed the same 27 books as authoritative.
What did Paul consider Luke's writings to be?
Paul considered Luke’s writings to be as authoritative as the Old Testament ( 1 Timothy 5:18; see also Deuteronomy 25:4 and Luke 10:7 ). Peter recognized Paul’s writings as Scripture ( 2 Peter 3:15-16 ). Some of the books of the New Testament were being circulated among the churches ( Colossians 4:16; 1 Thessalonians 5:27 ).
Which New Testament book received the most controversy?
The New Testament books receiving the most controversy were Hebrews, James, 2 Peter, 2 John, and 3 John. The first “canon” was the Muratorian Canon, which was compiled in AD 170. The Muratorian Canon included all of the New Testament books except Hebrews, James, 1 and 2 Peter, and 3 John.
Who decided what books were in the Bible?
Determining the canon was a process conducted first by Jewish rabbis and scholars and later by early Christians. Ultimately, it was God who decided what books belonged in the biblical canon. A book of Scripture belonged in the canon from the moment God inspired its writing.
Who determined which books belong in the Bible?
It was God, and God alone, who determined which books belonged in the Bible. It was simply a matter of God’s imparting to His followers what He had already decided. The human process of collecting the books of the Bible was flawed, but God, in His sovereignty, and despite our ignorance and stubbornness, brought the early church to ...
Is the Apocrypha a good document?
The only issue that remained was the Apocrypha, with some debate and discussion continuing today. The vast majority of Hebrew scholars considered the Apocrypha to be good historical and religious documents, but not on the same level as the Hebrew Scriptures. For the New Testament, the process of the recognition and collection began in ...
What is the biblical canon?
The biblical canon is the collection of scriptural books that God has given his corporate people, which are distinguished by their divine qualities, reception by the collective body, and their apostolic connection, either by authorship or association.
When was the NT canon decided?
Although it wasn’t until the fourth century that the NT canon was officially decided, there is good reason to have historical confidence in the process. These books were largely decided on by virtue of three factors: their divine qualities, reception by the churches, and connection to an apostle.
Why do we accept anonymous books like Hebrews?
And we even accept anonymous books like Hebrews because we have good reasons to think the author received his information directly from apostles ( Heb 2:3–4; 13:23 ).
How many OT books were accepted by the Jews?
The first-century Jewish historian Josephus offers a list of 22 OT books accepted by the Jews which appears to match our current 39 book collection ( Against Apion, 1.38–42).
What books were disputed in the Bible?
Books that were “disputed” tended to be the smaller books such as 2 Peter, Jude, James, and 2-3 John.
When did Christians start to coalesce around the NT?
In sum, the early Christians coalesced around the NT books remarkably early. While it was not until the fourth century that the disputes over some of the peripheral books were resolved, the core of the NT canon was already in place long before.
Who said Christ will establish and build his church?
As Herman Ridderbos argued, “Christ will establish and build his church by causing the church to accept just this canon and, by means of the assistance and witness of the Holy Spirit, to recognize it as his” (H.N. Ridderbos, Redemptive History and the New Testament Scripture, 37).
Old Testament Canonization Assumed in The New Testament
- Jesus and his apostles assumed the canon of the Hebrew Old Testament. The New Testament either cites or alludes to the vast majority of Old Testament books, a fact which attests to the widespread acceptance of the Old Testament’s canonicity and authority by Jesus, the New Test…
The Basis of New Testament Canonization
- The process of a canon of the New Testament was already set in place by the last words of Jesus to his apostles. In Matthew 28:18–20, Jesus told the apostles it was their duty to make other disciples using the teachings that he had given to them: Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all n…
The Development of The New Testament Canon
- The books in the New Testament were all written before the end of the first century (that is, before AD 100). New Testament scholar Michael Kruger, an expert in the formation of the canon of the New Testament, describes the attitude of the church’s leaders following the first century: Early Christians had a high view of the apostolic office, viewing the apostles as the very mouthpiece o…
The Criteria of Canonization
- After persecution subsided and the church as a whole was able to publicly gather in the fourth century, they were able to land on an authoritative list of inspired books that comprised the New Testament. The early Christians recognized as authoritative those books that met three key criteria: 1. The authoritative book had to be written by apostolic authors (or authors who were cl…
The Canon by Which The Church Is Measured
- In the process of clarifying the final list of authoritative books, these Christians affirmed the church itself had been established by the words and works of Jesus as communicated by the apostles (Ephesians 2:20). Thus, the written works associated with the apostles were the objective norm by which the church was to measure and evaluate itself. What gave the New Tes…