Canonization of the Bible

I. Understanding the Bible's 66 Books (Canon)

A. Goal: Explain the Bible's 66-book canon and address common objections.

B. Definition of "Canon": The standard of authoritative, God-inspired books.

1. Emphasizes that humans recognized inherent divine authority, rather than deciding it.

II. Old Testament (OT) Canon

A. Recognition Process: Long, but rooted in external and internal evidence.

B. External Evidence:

1. Early Jewish lists (100-400 AD) formalizing existing recognition.

2. Ancient statements and NT allusions (e.g., Matthew 5:17) indicating a known body of Scripture.

3. Manuscript evidence, while not proof of authority, shows widespread use.

C. Jewish vs. Christian Grouping: Same books, different numbering (e.g., Jewish 24 books vs. Christian 39 books).

D. Early Testimonies:

1. Josephus (pre-100 AD) stated the OT canon was closed by 465-423 B.C.

2. NT authors frequently quote OT books as authoritative.

E. Early Christian Acceptance (OT):

1. Relied on Jewish recognition ("entrusted with the oracles of God").

2. Books were read and accepted by churches worldwide.

F. Reformation Era and Apocrypha:

1. Protestants (e.g., Luther) argued against the Apocrypha's authority.

2. Council of Trent (Roman Catholic) declared the Apocrypha

(deuterocanonical) canonical.

G. Why Not the Apocrypha?

1. Not quoted as Scripture by NT authors or recognized by Jewish people.

2. Jesus' references imply acceptance of only the Law, Prophets, and Writings.

3. Distinguished from "Pseudepigrapha" (false writings) which entirely lacked authority.

III. New Testament (NT) Canon

A. Criteria for Reception:

1. Apostolicity: Written by an Apostle or close associate.

2. Orthodoxy: Consistent with established Christian teaching.

3. Catholicity: Widespread acceptance and use by the universal church.

a. Canon was not determined by councils or individuals like Constantine, but through organic recognition by the Spirit-led church over time.

B. NT Sub-collections & History:

1. Gospels and Pauline Epistles were accepted earliest.

2. Catholic Epistles and Revelation took longer for universal recognition but were solidified by late 300s AD.

C. Key List: Athanasius's "Festal Letter" (367 AD) is the earliest complete list of all 27 NT books.

D. Other Early Books: Distinguished between "deuterocanonical" (good/useful but not inspired, e.g., Shepherd of Hermas) and "apocryphal" (false writings, e.g., Gospel of Thomas).

E. Closing of the Canon: Due to the strict criteria (apostolicity, orthodoxy, catholicity), no new books can be added to the canon.

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