Biblical canon

Definition

The biblical canon refers to the collection of books that are accepted as authoritative scripture in Christianity, including both the Old and New Testaments. This selection process involved significant historical, theological, and cultural factors that determined which texts were considered sacred and worthy of inclusion. The canon serves as a foundation for faith, guiding beliefs and practices within various Christian denominations.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The biblical canon was established over several centuries, with different Christian traditions recognizing different sets of texts as authoritative.
2. The Old Testament canon is largely based on the Hebrew Bible, while the New Testament canon includes writings attributed to Jesus' apostles and their close associates.
3. The process of determining the canon involved criteria such as apostolic authorship, consistency with Christian teaching, and widespread usage in worship.
4. Different Christian denominations may have variations in their accepted canon; for example, Catholics include the Deuterocanonical books that Protestants do not.
5. The finalized New Testament canon was largely agreed upon by the 4th century, although debates continued about specific books for centuries thereafter.

Review Questions

• How did historical and theological factors influence the development of the biblical canon?
  • The development of the biblical canon was shaped by both historical events and theological considerations. Historical factors included the spread of Christianity across diverse cultures and languages, which required a standardized set of texts for teaching and worship. Theological factors involved debates about doctrine, such as Christ's nature and salvation, leading early church leaders to select texts that aligned with key beliefs. Together, these influences helped determine which writings were deemed authoritative.
• Compare and contrast the Old Testament and New Testament canons in terms of their formation and significance within Christianity.
  • The Old Testament canon primarily derives from the Hebrew Bible and was recognized as sacred by Jewish communities before Christianity emerged. Its formation involved long-standing traditions and teachings. In contrast, the New Testament canon developed later through a process that assessed apostolic authorship and theological consistency with established Christian doctrine. While both canons hold significant authority within Christianity, they differ in their origins, contents, and the historical contexts that shaped them.
• Evaluate how differences in biblical canons among Christian denominations impact ecumenical dialogues and interfaith relations.
  • Differences in biblical canons among Christian denominations present both challenges and opportunities in ecumenical dialogues and interfaith relations. These variations can lead to misunderstandings regarding beliefs and practices, as some denominations may exclude certain texts considered important by others. However, they also provide a rich context for dialogue where participants can discuss interpretations and meanings of scripture. By acknowledging these differences while seeking common ground, denominations can foster a more inclusive conversation about faith that respects each tradition's unique understanding of scripture.

Related terms

Apocrypha: A set of biblical books that are included in some versions of the Bible but are not accepted in the Jewish or Protestant canons.

Septuagint: An ancient Greek translation of the Hebrew Scriptures that includes additional texts not found in the Hebrew Bible, which influenced the early Christian canon.

Council of Nicaea: An early church council convened in 325 CE that addressed various theological issues and played a role in the discussions regarding the canon of scripture.