7/28/2019 Biblical Literature Lecture 08 New Testament Canon

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New Testament Canon

Biblical Literature

RELG 201

Codex Siniticus Callaway Museum Photos

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Definition of Canon

Review

The canon is an anthology of

works that are considered

divinely inspired and the

authoritative source for all

belief and practice.

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Recognition

of the New Testament Canon

Marcion of Sinope (c. 80 c. 160)

Review

Came to Rome in 140 seeking the office of Bishop.

Taught that the God of the Old Testament was alesser being than God the Father and Jesus.

Completely rejected the Old Testament Canon

The Church excommunicated him in 144.

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Recognition

of the New Testament Canon

Marcion of Sinope (c. 80 c. 160)

Marcions New Testament Canon.

Only a highly redacted (edited) edition of Luke.

Only ten of Pauls epistles (letters).

He rejected:

Three of the four Gospels (Matthew, Mark, and John)

General Epistles

The Shepherd of Hermas

The Church rejected his canon.

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Recognition

of the New Testament Canon

Eusebius of Caesarea (c. 260-339)

Father of Church History,Ecclesiastical History

Lists of Books the New Testament (Book III. 24-25)

Recognized Books

Questioned Books

Rejected Books

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Eusebius of Caesarea

Recognized Books Four Gospels: Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John

Acts Pauline Epistles: Romans, 1 & 2 Corinthians,

Galatians, Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, 1 &

2 Thessalonians, 1 & 2 Timothy, Titus, and

Philemon.

General Epistles: 1 Peter and 1 John

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Eusebius of Caesarea (c. 260-339)

Questioned Books

Hebrews

James

Second Peter

Second and Third John

Jude

Revelation

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Eusebius of Caesarea

Rejected Books

Pseudonymous (spurious) Books

Acts of Paul

The Revelation of Peter

Epistle of BarnabasInstitutions of the Apostles

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Recognition

of the New Testament Canon

By the end of the fourth century the New

Testament Canon was settled.

Athanasius (c. 298-373) Easter Letter (367)

Council of Carthage (397)

Jerome (347-420)

Some in the West questioned Hebrews Some in the East questioned Revelation

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Recognition

of the New Testament Canon

Three justifications for recognizing particular

books as part of the the New Testament Canon.

Apostolic origins

Common usage

Theological coherence

This parallels Josephus

description of the Old

Testament as works having

been written by divinely

inspired prophets and

having theologicalcoherence.

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Writing of the Apostolic Fathers

not included in the Canon

First Clement (c. 100)

The Epistles of Ignatius (c. 108)

The Epistle of Polycarp (c. 156)

There is a clear distinctionbetween inspired Scripture (TheCanon) and other writings.

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Other Works Not Included

Pauls missing letter (1 Cor. 5:9-11).

Citied works within the canon

excluded.

Jude cites Enoch

Paul cites pagan poets.