---

Outline

The Word “Canon”

• The books of the New Testament are technically called the “New Testament Canon.” Therefore, the process of choosing these 27 books is called “canonization.” 
• “Canon” literally means a “reed” or “rod”
• Can refer to a “rule,” “standard,” “series,” or “list”
• Came to refer to the “rule of faith”

Process of Collection

• Last episode, we talked about why the New Testament books were written and a little about the process of them being produced. 
• Over time these documents were gathered into codices and circulated.
  • Codex was an ancient book. 
  • Began being pulled together by subject or author (i.e., the Gospels, Paul’s letters, etc.)
• As they were circulated, these documents became an important part of Christian liturgy.
• As they began to be circulated, they were translated into Latin, Syriac, Coptic, etc.

The History of Development of the New Testament Canon

• Gradual Initial Collections (AD 90–180) – emphasis on words of Jesus and authentic apostolic witnesses
• Gradual Emergence of Canon (AD 180–220) – rise of heresy serves as key catalyst for recognition
  • Gnosticism
  • Marcion
    • Canon made up of the Gospel of Luke and Paul, heavily edited
    • Rejected Old Testament and Jewish NT content
    • First known fixed collection
• Gradual Fixation of Canon (AD 220–400) – public confirmation sought and established by the church

Why Did It Take So Long

• Slow communication and transportation
• Times of persecution
• No real reason

First Canon Lists

East

• Tatian (AD 180) – Diatessaron (“through the four”; harmony of the Gospels)
• Clement of Alexandria (AD 120–215) – cites all NT books but James, 2 Peter, and 3 John. Quoted apocryphal writings too, but not authoritatively
• Origen (AD 185–254) – only expressed concern over James, 2 Peter, and 2-3 John

West

• Justin Martyr (AD 100–165)
• Hippolytus of Rome (AD 170–235)
• Irenaeus of Lyons (AD 170–180) – made full use of NT, quoting all but Philemon, 2 Peter, 3 John, and Jude
• Tertullian (AD 160–225)
• Cyprian of Carthage (AD 200–258)

Muratorian Canon

• Dates anywhere from late 2^nd century to 4^th century
• Fragmentary
• List includes 21/23 of the 27 NT books. Matthew and Mark are missing but most likely included in missing fragment.
• Does not include Hebrews, 1-2 Peter, and 3 John
• Does include Apocryphal works such as Wisdom of Solomon and Shepherd of Hermas

Eusebius’s Ecclesiastical History

• Bishop of Caesarea in Palestine from 314–339
• Distinguished 3 categories of NT books
  • Universally Acknowledged
  • Disputed (general/catholic epistles)
  • Spurious (included Revelation)

Athanasius’s 39th Pascal Letter

• Includes NT books in this order: Matt, Mark, Luke, John, Acts, James, 1-2 Pet, 1-2-3 John, Jude, Rom, 1-2 Cor, Gal, Eph, Phil, Col, 1-2 Thess, Heb, 1-2 Tim, Titus, Phile, Rev.
• Gives us all the NT books, but not in the traditional order
• Was only for those under his authority

Council of Carthage (397)

• Agrees upon the same list

Major Principles

1. Who wrote the book?
2. What is the message of the book?
3. How well was the book received?

---