Development of the Biblical CanonDevelopment of the Biblical Canon

adapted from adapted from http://http://www.columbia.edu/cu/augustine/a/canon.htmlwww.columbia.edu/cu/augustine/a/canon.html

CanonCanon(a closed collection of (a closed collection of

community-forming community-forming writings)writings)

Not this:Not this: (different spelling)(different spelling)

Development of the TanakDevelopment of the Tanak

1000-50 BCE: The books of the Tanak (Christian 1000-50 BCE: The books of the Tanak (Christian Old Testament) are written. Old Testament) are written.

ca. 200 BCE: Rabbis translate the Jewish Bible from Hebrew to Greek, a translation called the "Septuagint" (abbreviation: "LXX"). The LXX ultimately includes 46 books.

30-100 CE: Christians use the LXX as their scriptures (because most cannot read Hebrew).

90-400 CE: Rabbis begin to discuss the extent of the canon and, over time, include in their canon only 39 books, since only these can be found in Hebrew (scholars are no longer sure when or how a final decision was reached).

The TorahGenesis Exodus Leviticus Numbers Deuteronomy

The ProphetsThe Former ProphetsJoshua Judges Samuel Kings

The Latter ProphetsIsaiah Jeremiah Ezekiel The Twelve (Minor Prophets) Hosea Joel Amos Obadiah Jonah Micah Nahum Habakkuk Zephaniah Haggai Zechariah Malachi

The WritingsPsalms Proverbs Job Song of Solomon Ruth Lamentations Ecclesiastes Esther Daniel Ezra-Nehemiah Chronicles

ca. 400: Jerome translates the ca. 400: Jerome translates the Bible from Hebrew and Greek Bible from Hebrew and Greek into Latin (called the "Vulgate"). into Latin (called the "Vulgate"). He knows that the Jews have He knows that the Jews have only 39 books, and he wants to only 39 books, and he wants to limit the Old Testament to limit the Old Testament to these. these. The 7 he would leave out The 7 he would leave out (Tobit, Judith, 1 Maccabees, 2 (Tobit, Judith, 1 Maccabees, 2 Maccabees, Wisdom of Maccabees, Wisdom of Solomon, Sirach [or Solomon, Sirach [or "Ecclesiasticus"], and Baruch) "Ecclesiasticus"], and Baruch) he calls "apocrypha," that is, he calls "apocrypha," that is, "hidden books." "hidden books." But Pope Damasus wants all But Pope Damasus wants all 46 traditionally-used books 46 traditionally-used books included in the Old Testament, included in the Old Testament, so the Vulgate has 46. so the Vulgate has 46.

1536: Martin Luther 1536: Martin Luther translates the Bible from translates the Bible from Hebrew and Greek to Hebrew and Greek to German. German. He assumes that, since He assumes that, since Jews wrote the Old Jews wrote the Old Testament, theirs is the Testament, theirs is the correct canon. correct canon. He puts the extra 7 books He puts the extra 7 books in an appendix that he in an appendix that he calls the "Apocrypha." calls the "Apocrypha." This is the Old Testament This is the Old Testament that most Protestants use that most Protestants use (Anglicans also use the (Anglicans also use the Apocrypha devotionally).Apocrypha devotionally).

1546: The Roman Catholic Council of Trent reaffirms the canonicity of all 46 books.

Development of the New Testament Development of the New Testament CanonCanon

Where Where NOTNOT to look for a reliable account: to look for a reliable account:

ca. 51-125 CE: The books of ca. 51-125 CE: The books of today’s New Testament today’s New Testament are written. are written.

But during this same period But during this same period other early Christian other early Christian writings are produced:writings are produced:The Didache (ca. 70)The Didache (ca. 70)1 Clement (ca. 96)1 Clement (ca. 96)The Epistle of Barnabas The Epistle of Barnabas (ca. 100)(ca. 100)7 Letters of Ignatius of 7 Letters of Ignatius of Antioch (ca. 110)Antioch (ca. 110)The Shepherd of Hermas The Shepherd of Hermas (ca. 100)(ca. 100)If you want to read them: If you want to read them: www.earlychristianwritings.www.earlychristianwritings.com/com/

ca. 140: Marcion, a businessman in ca. 140: Marcion, a businessman in Rome, teaches that there were two Rome, teaches that there were two Gods: Gods: Yahweh, the cruel God of the Old Yahweh, the cruel God of the Old TestamentTestamentAbba, the kind father of the New Abba, the kind father of the New TestamentTestament

So Marcion eliminates the Old So Marcion eliminates the Old Testament as scripture and, since Testament as scripture and, since he is anti-Semitic, includes in the he is anti-Semitic, includes in the New Testament only 10 letters of New Testament only 10 letters of Paul and 2/3 of Luke's gospel (he Paul and 2/3 of Luke's gospel (he deletes references to Jesus' deletes references to Jesus' Jewishness). Jewishness).

Marcion’s CanonGospel according to Luke Romans I Corinthians II Corinthians Galatians Ephesians (Laodiceans) Colossians Thessalonians I Thessalonians II Philemon

Marcion's "New Testament"—the first to be compiled—forces other Christian leaders, like Irenaeus, to decide on a core canon: the four gospels, letters of Paul, other letters, but not Philemon, Hebrews, 2 Peter, 2 & 3 John or Jude; it also includes the Shepherd of Hermas.

Irenaeus’ Canon ca. 180 CEMatthew Mark Luke John Acts Romans I Corinthians II Corinthians Galatians Ephesians Philippians

Thessalonians I Thessalonians II I Timothy II Timothy Titus James (?) 1 Peter 1 John Revelation of John Shepherd of Hermas

But the periphery of the canon But the periphery of the canon is not yet determined. is not yet determined.

According to one list, compiled According to one list, compiled at Rome around 200 (the at Rome around 200 (the Muratorian Canon), the NT Muratorian Canon), the NT consists of:consists of:

The 4 Gospels (though first The 4 Gospels (though first 2 are missing)2 are missing)ActsActs13 letters of Paul13 letters of Paul1-2 John 1-2 John JudeJudeThe Apocalypse of Peter. The Apocalypse of Peter. But not Hebrews, James, 3 But not Hebrews, James, 3 John, 1 & 2 Peter, or John, 1 & 2 Peter, or RevelationRevelation

Recognized: The four Gospels, Recognized: The four Gospels, Acts, Paul’s letters, 1 John, Acts, Paul’s letters, 1 John, 1Peter and “if it really seems 1Peter and “if it really seems right,” Revelationright,” RevelationDisputed: James, Jude, 2 Peter Disputed: James, Jude, 2 Peter and 2 & 3 Johnand 2 & 3 JohnSpurious: Acts of Paul, Shepherd Spurious: Acts of Paul, Shepherd of Hermas, Apocalypse of Peter, of Hermas, Apocalypse of Peter, Letter of Barnabas, the Didache, Letter of Barnabas, the Didache, the Gospel of the Hebrews and, the Gospel of the Hebrews and, “if it seems right,” Revelation“if it seems right,” RevelationHeretical: Gospels of Peter, Heretical: Gospels of Peter, Thomas, Matthias, etc., Acts of Thomas, Matthias, etc., Acts of Andrew, John or other apostlesAndrew, John or other apostles

In the early 300s, Eusebius of Caesarea classified books of the New Testament into “recognized,” “disputed,” “spurious” and “heretical” categories.

367: The earliest extant list of the books of New Testament, in exactly the number and order in which we presently have them, is written by Athanasius, Bishop of Alexandria, in his Easter letter.

397: The North African Council of Carthage reproduces the same list and declares: “apart from the canonical Scriptures nothing is to be read in church under the name of the divine Scriptures … Let the church across the sea be consulted for the confirmation of this canon.”

1442: At the Council of Florence, the entire western Church recognizes the 27 books, though does not declare them unalterable.

1536: In his translation of the Bible from Greek into German, Luther removes 4 NT books (Hebrews, James, Jude, and Revelation) from their normal order and places them at the end, stating that they are less than canonical.

Most other Protestants do not agree with him.

1546: At the Council of Trent, the Roman Catholic Church reaffirms once and for all the full list of 27 books as traditionally accepted.

This is the only “universal” church council to make a formal claim about the extent of the Christian canon (Protestant, Eastern Orthodox, Coptic and other Christians do not consider this council universal)

—over 1500 years after the Christian movement began!