CANON OF THE BIBLE
Terminology
CANON
In classical and theological usage, the term CANON means "rule" (Galatians 6:16), "standard," or "measuring rod" (see Ezekiel 40:3; 42:16).
Historically, the Israelites never used this term to refer to their Scriptures. Later, believers and theologians adopted the term "canon" to denote the collection of divinely inspired and officially recognized books of the Bible.
Steps in the Canonization Process
Origin
Divinely inspired books—ordained by God.
Recognition
Church councils identified which books were Divinely inspired.
Compilation
The recognized books were gradually collected and preserved by councils into a canon of supreme authority.
Old Testament Canon
The Old Testament Canon, which began to be recorded in the second millennium BC, was written in Hebrew (with some small portions in Aramaic).
After the books were written, God’s people immediately accepted them as Holy Scripture (Daniel 9:2; compare with Jeremiah 25:11). In some cases, 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 (circa 1600–500 BC). This long span contrasts sharply with the New Testament, which was written in about 60 years (circa AD 40–100).
The Canonization Process
A timeline of the Church's recognition of divinely inspired writings and the principles that guided their discovery.
From Inception to Completion
Church Recognition: AD 35–95
God's people (Christians) immediately accepted the New Testament books as inspired and authoritative (2 Peter 3:16; 1 Timothy 5:18). Official canon recognition followed as the Church grew and spread.
Recognition by Church Fathers: AD 110
All New Testament books (except two) were cited by Ignatius, Clement of Rome, and Polycarp. By AD 150, Church Fathers had cited all New Testament books as authoritative.
The Heretic Marcion: AD 140
The first attempt to define a canon came from the heretic Marcion, who rejected the entire Old Testament, apocryphal books, and all Gospels except Luke. He accepted only Paul's epistles (excluding the Pastoral Epistles).
Muratorian Canon: AD 200
All New Testament books (except two) were cited by Ignatius, Clement of Rome, and Polycarp. By AD 150, Church Fathers had cited all New Testament books as authoritative.
Apostolic Canon: Early 4th Century AD
Apostolic Canon No. 85 (its final Latin version) recognized all books of the Old and New Testaments, except for the book of Revelation.
Eusebius and the Canon Determination: AD 325
Church historian Eusebius listed the Gospels, Paul's epistles (except Philemon), 1 Peter, 1 John, and Revelation as canonical. He did not include the general epistles, 2 Peter, 2 and 3 John, or Jude.
Cheltenham Canon: Mid-4th Century
Theodore Mommsen discovered a 10th-century Latin canon list missing only six New Testament books. This list originated from North Africa in the 4th century. It is known as the Cheltenham Canon, recognized as an ancient Roman list.
Easter Letter of Athanasius: AD 367
Athanasius, Bishop of Alexandria, listed all 27 books in his Easter Letter. This was the earliest complete New Testament canon—the first fully recognized canon.
Recognition by Church Fathers: AD 110
The Council of Rome (AD 382) officially approved the canon for the Western Church. The Council of Carthage (AD 397) recognized this canon for the entire Church, finalizing the Biblical Canon.