Unveiling the Essential Canon of Scripture for Christian Believers

Canon of Scripture

The canon of Scripture refers to the collection of books that are considered authoritative and inspired by God, making up the Bible. The word "canon" originates from the idea of a rule of law that determines whether a book measures up to a standard. It is important to note that the writings of Scripture were considered canonical at the moment they were written. Scripture was Scripture when the pen touched the parchment. This understanding is crucial because Christianity finds its basis in the authority of Scripture. Without a clear definition of what constitutes Scripture, it becomes challenging to distinguish theological truth from error.

The Process of Canonization

The process of determining which books should be classified as Scripture involved several factors. A key verse in this process is Jude 3, which states that the Christian faith was "once for all entrusted to the saints." This suggests that Scripture was given once for the benefit of all Christians. It is reassuring to know that there are no hidden or lost manuscripts yet to be found, no secret books known only to a select few, and no living individuals with special revelation requiring us to embark on treacherous journeys for enlightenment. We can have confidence that God has not left us without a witness. The same supernatural power used to produce His Word has also been used to preserve it.

Psalm 119:160 emphasizes that the entirety of God's Word is truth. With this premise in mind, we can compare writings outside the accepted canon of Scripture to see if they meet this test. For example, the Bible unequivocally states that Jesus Christ is God, with numerous passages affirming His divinity (Isaiah 9:6-7; Matthew 1:22-23; John 1:1, 2, 14, 20:28; Acts 16:31, 34; Philippians 2:5-6; Colossians 2:9; Titus 2:13; Hebrews 1:8; 2 Peter 1:1). However, many extra-biblical texts claiming to be Scripture argue that Jesus is not divine. When clear contradictions exist, the established Bible is to be trusted, placing these contradictory texts outside the realm of Scripture.

In the early centuries of the church, Christians faced persecution and were sometimes put to death for possessing copies of Scripture. This led to the question, "What books are worth dying for?" While some books may have contained sayings of Jesus, it was essential to determine whether they were inspired as stated in 2 Timothy 3:16. Church councils played a role in publicly recognizing the canon of Scripture, but often individual churches or groups of churches recognized a book as inspired from its writing (e.g., Colossians 4:16; 1 Thessalonians 5:27). By around A.D. 303, the list of disputed books was largely settled.

The Old Testament Canon

When considering the Old Testament canon, three important facts were taken into account. Firstly, the New Testament quotes from or alludes to every Old Testament book except two. Secondly, Jesus endorsed the Hebrew canon in Matthew 23:35 when He cited one of the first narratives and one of the last in the Scriptures of His day. Lastly, the Jews meticulously preserved the Old Testament Scriptures, and there were few controversies over which parts belonged or did not belong. The Roman Catholic Apocrypha did not measure up and fell outside the definition of Scripture and has never been accepted by the Jews.

The New Testament Canon

Most questions regarding which books belong in the Bible arose concerning writings from the time of Christ and forward. The early church had specific criteria for accepting books into the New Testament canon. These criteria included verifying whether a book was written by an eyewitness of Jesus Christ and whether it passed the "truth test" by aligning with other already agreed-upon Scripture. The New Testament books accepted by the early church have endured the test of time, and Christian orthodoxy has embraced them with little challenge for centuries.

It is crucial to note that the canon was closed at the time of writing the book of Revelation (c. A.D. 95). This is evident from both the subject matter of Revelation and the prohibition against adding to its words found in Revelation 22:18. The theological point to be emphasized here is that God has used His Word for millennia to reveal Himself and communicate with mankind. Ultimately, it was not church councils that decided if a book was Scripture; that decision was made when God chose a human author to write. In order to accomplish His purpose, including preserving His Word throughout the centuries, God guided the early church councils in recognizing the canon.

Why This Matters

Understanding the process and criteria used in determining the canon of Scripture is crucial for Christians. It provides confidence that our faith is based on a reliable and preserved revelation from God. By recognizing the canon as closed, we can be assured that there are no hidden or lost books that will alter our understanding of God's Word. This knowledge allows us to trust in the authority and sufficiency of Scripture for our spiritual growth, understanding of God's character, and guidance in life.

Think About It

Consider how vital it is for Christians to have clarity regarding the canon of Scripture. Without a defined collection of authoritative books, it becomes challenging to distinguish between true biblical teachings and potential errors or false doctrines. The canon of Scripture provides a solid foundation on which we can build our faith and confidently proclaim the truth of God's Word. Take a moment to appreciate the preservation of Scripture throughout history and how it continues to guide and shape the lives of believers today.