CANON OF THE BIBLE

In classical and theological usage, the term 'CANON' means 'rule' (Galatians 6:16), 'standard,' or 'measure' (see Ezekiel 40:3; 42:16). Historically, the Israelites did not use this term to refer to their Scriptures. Later on, the believers and theologians used the term 'canon' to refer to the collection of books that are divinely inspired and officially recognized as part of the Bible.

The 3 Steps of the 'CANON' Process

Origin

Books that were inspired—determined by God.

Recognition

Councils identified which books were inspired.

Compilation

Recognized books were gradually collected and preserved by the councils into an authoritative canon.

The Formation

THE OLD TESTAMENT CANON

The books of the Old Testament Canon, written from the second millennium B.C., were composed in Hebrew (with a few portions in Aramaic).
After these books were written, the people of God immediately accepted them as Scripture (Daniel 9:2; compare with Jeremiah 25:11). In some instances, they placed these books in the Ark of the Covenant (Deuteronomy 31:24-26; see also 1 Samuel 10:25; 2 Kings 22:8). The 39 books of the Old Testament were written over approximately 1,100 years (about 1600-500 B.C.). This long period contrasts sharply with the New Testament, which was written over about 60 years (around A.D. 40-100).

The Canonization Process: Beginning to Completion

A timeline of the period when the Church recognized inspired texts and the principles guiding their discovery.

A.D. 35-95

God’s people (Christians) immediately accepted the inspired and authoritative books of the New Testament (2 Peter 3:16; 1 Timothy 5:18). Formal acceptance of a canon followed as the Church grew and spread.

A.D. 110

All but two books of the New Testament were cited by Ignatius, Clement of Rome, and Polycarp. By A.D. 150, the Church Fathers had cited every book of the New Testament as authoritative.

A.D. 140

The first attempt to create a canon was by the heretic Marcion, who rejected the entire Old Testament, apocalyptic books, and most Gospels (except Luke). He accepted Paul’s epistles (excluding the pastoral epistles).

A.D. 200

L.A. Muratori discovered a canonical list in the Milan Library, including the Synoptic Gospels, Paul's epistles, 1 and 2 John, Jude, and Revelation. This became known as the Muratorian Canon.

Đầu thế kỷ 4 SCN

The 85 Canons of Apostles (final version in Latin) accepted all books of the Old and New Testaments except Revelation.

Năm 325 SCN

Church historian Eusebius listed all the Gospels, Paul’s epistles (except Philemon), 1 Peter, 1 John, and Revelation in a canonical list. He did not include the General Epistles, 2 Peter, 2 and 3 John.

Giữa thế kỷ 4 SCN

Theodore Mommsen discovered a 10th-century Latin list containing all but six New Testament books, possibly originating from 4th-century North Africa. This is known as the Cheltenham Canon.

A.D. 367

Athanasius, Bishop of Alexandria, listed all 27 books in his Paschal letter, marking the earliest complete New Testament canon.

A.D. 382/397

The Council of Rome (382) gave final approval to the canon for all Western Churches. The Council of Carthage (397) gave final acceptance for the entire Church, thus completing the canon.