What Does the Canon of Scripture Mean?
The term “canon” originates from the Greek word kanon, which means a straight rod, ruler, or carpenter’s measuring rod. Over time, kanon evolved to take on a figurative meaning, signifying the standard by which something is measured or evaluated. In a biblical context, this term refers to the collection of books that are considered divinely inspired and authoritative for faith and practice.
The Figurative Use of Canon in Scripture
In the New Testament, the word kanon is used to denote a standard or rule, particularly in terms of behavior and doctrine. For instance, in 2 Corinthians 10:13, Paul writes, “But we will not boast of things without our measure, but according to the measure of the rule which God hath distributed to us, a measure to reach even unto you.” Similarly, in Galatians 6:16, he states, “And as many as walk according to this rule, peace be on them, and mercy, and upon the Israel of God.” In these verses, kanon is translated as “rule,” emphasizing the idea of a divinely appointed standard by which Christians should live.
Applying Canon to Scripture
Eventually, the term kanon was applied to the Scriptures themselves. The “canon” became known as the collection of books recognized by the apostles and early Christian leaders as the foundation of Christian belief. These writings, inspired by God, were regarded as the standard by which all Christian teaching and conduct were to be measured.
Athanasius, a key figure in early Christian history, was one of the first to use the term canon in this context. Origen, another early Christian theologian, also employed the term kanon, referring to it as the “rule of faith,” a standard by which everything should be measured and evaluated.
The Process of Canonicity
The process of recognizing the sixty-six books of the Bible as the Word of God is known as “canonicity.” Contrary to some misconceptions, the church did not create the canon. Instead, Christians gradually came to recognize these books for what they were: God’s inspired revelation. As stated in 2 Timothy 3:16, “All Scripture is God-breathed and profitable for teaching, for conviction, for correction, for instruction in righteousness.”
The Old Testament Canon
A crucial question often asked is, “How and when were the books of the Bible put together?” The ultimate answer is that it was God who decided which books would be included in the biblical canon. It was not the result of human councils or synods making arbitrary decisions; rather, God guided the early church to recognize the books that were divinely inspired.
Compared to the New Testament, there was little controversy over the canon of the Old Testament. The books of the Old Testament were almost immediately recognized as divinely inspired and authoritative upon their writing. The authors were accepted as God’s spokesmen. Following the writing of the book of Malachi around 430 B.C., the Jewish community officially recognized and closed the Old Testament canon.
The Council of Jamnia
The Council of Jamnia, held around A.D. 90, played a significant role in establishing and closing the canon of the Old Testament for nearly all Jews. The canon established by this council has remained the same for the Jewish community ever since and consists of what Christians refer to as the Old Testament. However, it is important to note that the order of the books in the Hebrew Bible differs from the order in the Christian Old Testament.
The Canon of the Whole Bible
The books of the New Testament, as we know them today, were officially recognized in the Eastern Church in A.D. 367 through Athanasius’ Festal Letter and in the Western Church in A.D. 397 at the Council of Carthage. The sixty-six books that are now found in the Bible were recognized as canonical during these 4th-century decisions.
It’s important to understand that before any church council formally ratified the canon, the decisions regarding which books were part of Christian Scripture had already been made. The councils merely confirmed what was already widely acknowledged within the Christian community.
The Formation of the Old Testament
Early Collections of Writings
Several instances in the Old Testament suggest that early collections of writings were made and recognized as authoritative. For example, the laws of Moses were stored by the Ark of the Covenant in the tabernacle (Deuteronomy 31:9-26) and later in the temple (2 Kings 22:8). The law was written down so it could be read by God’s people, as seen in Joshua 24:25-26 and 1 Samuel 10:25. The rediscovery of the law during Josiah’s reign led to a significant revival among the people (2 Kings 22-23).
When Ezra gathered the people in Jerusalem, he read to them from the Law of Moses (Nehemiah 8), indicating the importance and recognition of these sacred writings.
Collecting the Books of the Old Testament
Some of the Old Testament books were recognized as authoritative as soon as they were written. Moses, for instance, placed his writings in the Ark of the Covenant (Deuteronomy 31:24-26), and later, the sacred writings were stored in the temple (2 Kings 22:18). God commanded kings to write for themselves a copy of the law to learn to fear the Lord (Deuteronomy 17:19). Prophets, who often began their messages with “Thus saith the Lord,” also recognized the importance of recording their divinely inspired words for future generations.
Criteria for Accepting Old Testament Books
- Agreement with the Torah: Any book that did not align with the teachings of the Torah, the first five books of the Old Testament, could not be considered for inclusion in the Old Testament canon.
- Divine Authority: Only books believed to be inspired by God were accepted. The Jews did not grant these books their authority; they recognized the inherent divine authority within them.
- The Authors: The authors were individuals to whom God revealed His word, and they either wrote it down themselves or had secretaries do so. For instance, Jeremiah’s scribe Baruch wrote down many of his prophecies, as seen in Jeremiah 51:64.
The New Testament Canon
Criteria for Accepting New Testament Books
- Apostolic Authority or Authentication: To be included in the New Testament, books had to be written by the apostles themselves or by individuals closely associated with the apostles.
- Christ-Centered Content: The content of the books had to align with basic Christian teachings and honor Christ in their doctrinal messages.
- Acceptance by the Christian Church: Only books that were widely accepted and used by the Christian Church were included in the New Testament canon.
The Gospel of Thomas
The Gospel of Thomas is not included in the New Testament canon for several reasons:
- It fails the test of apostolic authority, as it was not written by the apostle Thomas and was likely composed around A.D. 140.
- None of the early church fathers, from Clement to Irenaeus, quoted from the Gospel of Thomas.
- The Gospel of Thomas contains teachings that deviate significantly from accepted Christian doctrine, including some extreme and unorthodox sayings attributed to Jesus.
Conclusion
The canon of Scripture represents the divinely inspired collection of books that serve as the foundation for Christian faith and practice. Both the Old and New Testaments were recognized by the early church as authoritative based on criteria such as agreement with previous revelation, divine inspiration, and widespread acceptance within the Christian community. Understanding the formation of the biblical canon provides believers with a deeper appreciation of the sacred texts that have shaped Christian doctrine and life throughout the centuries.