The New Testament Canon

The New Testament Canon

ow We Got the ibleow We Got the ible


Outline of Study:

1. What is the Canon?

2. Why Study the Canon?

3. Did the Catholic Church Give us the Bible?

4. Stages of Canonization

5. Evidence for a Closed Canon


What is the Canon?

“The list of books contained in scripture, the list of books recognized as worthy to be included in the sacred writings of a worshipping community. . .list of the writings acknowledged by the Church as documents of Divine revelation.”

(F.F. Bruce, The Canon of Scripture p. 17)

1500 BC 500 BC AD1 AD 500 AD 1000 AD 1500 AD 1900 AD 20001500 BC 500 BC AD 1 AD 500 AD 1000 AD 1500 AD 1900 AD 20001500 BC 500 BC AD 1 AD 500 AD 1000 AD 1500 AD 1900 AD 2000

What is the Canon?What is the Canon?

Greek: κανών - Reed or Measuring Rod

In reference to a set list of books the term first appears in the writings of Athanasius, bishop of Alexandria around A.D. 367.

Previously it referred to the summary of Christian Teaching and Doctrine


What is the Canon?What is the Canon?

Greek: κανών – List of Accepted Books


Why Study the Canon?


Why Study the Canon?Why Study the Canon?

Reason 1:

Not everyone accepts the same Canon

Samaritans = 5 books (Pentateuch only)

Nestorian Church (Syrian Church) = 22 books

Ethiopian Orthodox Church = 81 books

Catholic Canon = 66 plus Apocrypha

Mormons = Bible plus Book of Mormon, Doc & Cov


Why Study the Canon?Why Study the Canon?

Reason 2:

To Determine The Limits of Divine Revelation

• Does God Still Speak today?

• Does the Holy Spirit lead and guide in extra-Canonical ways today?


Did the Catholic Church Give us the Bible?

Did the Catholic Church Give us the Bible?


J.I. Packer – Noted Scholar

The church no more “gave us” the canon than Sir Isaac Newton “gave us” the force of gravity. God gave us gravity by the work of His creation, and similarly, He gave us the New Testament canon by inspiring the

original books that make it up.

(God Speaks To Man, p. 81)

CanonizationCanonization

Did Scripture Mold the church?Did the “Church” Mold Scripture?


F.F. Bruce – Noted Scholar

The books did not become authoritative for the church because they were formally included in a canonical list – but on the contrary, the church included them in her canon because she already regarded them as divinely inspired.

(The New Testament Documents: Are They Reliable, p. 27)


Did Scripture Mold the church?Did the “Church” Mold Scripture?



And they continued steadfastly in the

APOSTLE’S DOCTRINE and fellowship, in the

breaking of bread, and in prayers.

(Acts 2:42 NKJV)


Stages of Canonization

Stages of CanonizationStages of Canonization

1. Composition – gospel preached and epistles written

2. Community – writings read and circulated by the church

3. Compilation– letters collected and bound in codices

4. Canonization– ex post facto authority given to books

5. Criteria – determination of what writings were legitimate

The Word became flesh and dwelt among men (John 1:14)


• Jesus’ Birth

• Jesus’ Ministry – Oral Teaching

• Jesus’ Death, Burial, Resurrection

CompositionComposition

The Role of Jesus

Holy Spirit Superintended Apostle’s Words


However, when He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth; for He will not speak on His own authority, but whatever He hears He will speak; and He will tell you things to come.

(John 16:13 NKJV)


The Role of the Holy Spirit

The first New Testament book was not written until perhaps 15 years after Jesus’ ascension.

At first the gospel was passed on by “oral tradition.”



Jesus Apostles Oral Tradition

EpistlesGospelsLetters

The Role of Oral Tradition





A.T. Robinson argued in his Redating the New Testament that the entire New Testament was written and in circulation between 40 and 65 A.D

Such a short “Transmission Period” adds veracity to the reliability of the NT Canon.

The Role of Time


CommunityCommunity



Letters were Written to Address NeedsBeloved, while I was very diligent to write to you concerning our common salvation, I found it necessary to write to you exhorting you to contend earnestly for the faith which was once for all delivered to the saints.

(Jude 1:3 NKJV)

Writings Needed


CommunityCommunity

Paul

Peter

Matthew

Luke

Laodicea

Colosse

Titus

GalatiaChurches

JewishChristians

GentileChristians

Writings Written

Gospel of Luke

Gospel of Matthew


CommunityCommunity

Laodicea

Colosse

Titus

Book of Galatians

Writings Circulated

1500 BC 500 BC AD1 AD 500 AD 1000 AD 1500 AD 1900 AD 20001500 BC 500 BC AD1 AD 500 AD 1000 AD 1500 AD 1900 AD 20001500 BC 500 BC AD 1 AD 500 AD 1000 AD 1500 AD 1900 AD 20001500 BC 500 BC AD 1 AD 500 AD 1000 AD 1500 AD 1900 AD 2000

CompilationCompilation

Early Church Collected Sacred Writings

Now when this epistle is read among you, see that it is read also in the church of the Laodiceans, and that you likewise read the epistle from Laodicea. Colossians 4:16 NKJV

Writings Collected


CompilationCompilation

Spiritual Gifts guided the Church until the Word could be fully Revealed and Compiled

For we know in part, and we prophesy in part. But when that which is complete is come, then that which is in part shall be

done away. (1 Corinthians 13:9-10 KJV)

Writings Compiled



“Ex Post Facto Authority”

•Canonization approved books already accepted

•Canonization approved books already used in worship

•Canonization approved books already known to be valid

Writings Approved



Over Time 27 New Testament Books Were Accepted

•Clement of Rome – Recognized 8 Books (A.D. 95)

•Polycarp – Recognized 15 Books (A.D. 108)

•Irenaeus – Mentions 21 Books (A.D. 185)

•Muratorian Canon – All but Hebrews, James, 3 John (A.D. 170)

•Eusebius – Lists 22 Books (A.D. 275)

Writings Recognized



Writings Standardized

Athanasius, Bishop of Alexandria

•First to list all 27 books of the NT (A.D. 367)

•Distinguished canonical from apocryphal

•Rejected “Shepherd of Hermas”



Letters “Officialized”

The 27 books of the New Testament are formally confirmed as canonical by the Synod of Carthage in AD 397, thus recognizing three centuries of use by followers of Christ.

Carthage

By AD 400, the standard of 27 New Testament books is accepted in the East and West as confirmed by:

Athanasius Jerome Augustine Three church councils

Augustine



Letters Canonized


CriteriaCriteria

Why the Need for a Canon?

Apostasy

Heretics

Competing Writings

Persecution

Gospel of Judas


CriteriaCriteria

Apostasy:

Now the Spirit expressly says that in latter times some will depart from the faith, giving heed to deceiving spirits and doctrines of demons,

(1 Timothy 4:1 NKJV)


CriteriaCriteria

•Excommunicated in 144 A.D.

•Rejected OT God and OT

•Established his own church.

•Established own “canon of scripture.”

Marcion’s Canon

LukeGalatians1 Corinthians2 CorinthiansRomans

1 Thessalonians2 ThessaloniansEphesiansColossiansPhilemon Philippians

Marcion (c.144)

Heretics:Also from among yourselves men will rise up, speaking perverse things, to draw away the disciples after themselves. (Acts 20:30 NKJV)


CriteriaCriteria

Competing Writings

•Some produced by Heretical Groups

•Some by uninspired church leaders

•Some produced by Gnostics

•Scores produced in the 2nd and 3rd centuries.

Various Examples

Assumption of MosesGospel of ThomasGospel of JamesEpistle of BarnabusApocalypse of PeterApocalypse of PaulThe DidacheShepherd of Hermas1 and 2 Clement


CriteriaCriteria

Persecution

For what “Truth” shall we die?

Diocletian’s persecution of Christians from A. D. 303-306 included the confiscating and destroying of New Testament books. This persecution motivated the church to sort through and settle on which books were really Scripture and which books were worth suffering for.

Criteria for Books to be Accepted

1. Written by an Apostle (ex: Paul, Peter)

2. Written by a student of an Apostle (ex: Luke)

3. Must accord with known apostolic writings4. Was it accepted by leading congregations


CriteriaCriteria


Evidence of a Closed Canon

The Apostles took part in setting the limits of Scripture


We ask you not to be soon shaken in mind or troubled, either by spirit or by word or by letter, as if from us, as though the day of Christ had come.

(2 Thessalonians 2:2 NKJV)

The Apostle’s WarningThe Apostle’s Warning

Inspired Apostles


Divinely Ordained SafeguardsDivinely Ordained Safeguards

Inspired Apostles

Spiritual Gifts

Pente

cost

c. 3

0 A.D

.

Comple

ted C

anon

c. 9

5 A.D

.

““When That Which Is Complete is Come”When That Which Is Complete is Come”

1 Cor 13:10


The Life of PaulThe Life of Paul

Paul’s Ministry

Pente

cost

c. 3

0 A.D

. Paul’s Epistles 13

Book of Acts 1

Paul’s Epistles and other books about Paul written Paul’s Epistles and other books about Paul written during his lifetime give evidence of a closed during his lifetime give evidence of a closed

New Testament CanonNew Testament Canon


Paul’s Ministry

Pente

cost

c. 3

0 A.D

.

Paul also according to the wisdom given unto him hath written unto Paul also according to the wisdom given unto him hath written unto you; As also in you; As also in all his epistlesall his epistles . . . which they that are unlearned and . . . which they that are unlearned and unstable wrest, as they do also the unstable wrest, as they do also the other scriptures,other scriptures, unto their own unto their own destruction.destruction.

(2 Peter 3:15-16 KJV)(2 Peter 3:15-16 KJV)

Peter Regards Paul as InspiredPeter Regards Paul as Inspired

Peter’s Influential Testimony


Other Apostles WritingsOther Apostles Writings

Apostolic Authors

Pente

cost

c. 3

0 A.D

. John’s Writings 4

Peter’s Writings 2

The apostolic writings of John and Peter give evidence The apostolic writings of John and Peter give evidence of a closed NT Canonof a closed NT Canon


Paul Quotes Matthew and/orPaul Quotes Matthew and/or LukeLuke

Other Inspired Authors

Pente

cost

c. 3

0 A.D

. 1 Timothy 5:18 1 Timothy 5:18

For the scripture saith, Thou shalt not For the scripture saith, Thou shalt not muzzle the ox that treadeth out the muzzle the ox that treadeth out the corn.corn. And, The labourer is worthy of And, The labourer is worthy of his reward.his reward.

Deut 25:4Deut 25:4 Mt 10:10 or Luke 10:7Mt 10:10 or Luke 10:7


Internal Claims and UnityInternal Claims and Unity

Other Inspired Authors

Pente

cost

c. 3

0 A.D

. Apostles guided into Apostles guided into ALLALL truth – Jn 14:26 truth – Jn 14:26

Jude says The Faith is Jude says The Faith is delivereddelivered – vs. 3 – vs. 3

Peter says we have Peter says we have ALLALL for Life – 2 Pet 1:3 for Life – 2 Pet 1:3

Paul Paul prohibitsprohibits other Revelation – Gal 1:6ff other Revelation – Gal 1:6ff

The unity that Hebrews, Jude, James, and Mark has with other known apostolic books attest to a closed canon.

The Assumption of ScholarsThe Assumption of Scholars

1. The Canon process took several hundred years.

2. The Canon was not settled until long after Spiritual Gifts ceased.

3. The Canon came about via “natural means.”

4. The disputed books were unknown to “true believers.”

5. Those who disputed various books were “true believers.”

Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition; 2 Thess 2:3

If the Canon Is Not Closed . . .If the Canon Is Not Closed . . .

1. Then Continual Revelation is Possible

2. Then Additional Guidance is Probable

3. Then Religious Chaos is Inevitable

But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work,

this man shall be blessed in his deed. Jas 1:25