CANONICITY
What is The Canon?
The Canon
“reed” is the root word, Greek kanon, “measuring rod” or “standard”or “rule”
Origen, 3rd century...“canon to denote what we call the ‘rule of faith,’ the standard by which we are to measure and evaluate.”
Norman Geisler states...“a book is not the Word of God because it is accepted by the people of God. Rather, it was accepted by the people of God because it is the Word of God. That is, God gives the book its divine authority, not the people of God. They merely recognize the divine authority which God gives to it.”
As early as the 4th century B.C....we are convinced that “the voice of God no longer spoke to them directly”. No new spiritual revelation without prophets.
Intertestamental Period:
1st Maccabees 14:41: Simon made a leader and priest “until a trustworthy prophet should rise”
2 Baruch 85:3 “the prophets have fallen asleep”
Malachi (450 – 430 B.C.) and Chronicles (400 or earlier) we the last books recognized.
“reed” is the root word, Greek kanon, “measuring rod” or “standard”or “rule”
Origen, 3rd century...“canon to denote what we call the ‘rule of faith,’ the standard by which we are to measure and evaluate.”
Norman Geisler states...“a book is not the Word of God because it is accepted by the people of God. Rather, it was accepted by the people of God because it is the Word of God. That is, God gives the book its divine authority, not the people of God. They merely recognize the divine authority which God gives to it.”
As early as the 4th century B.C....we are convinced that “the voice of God no longer spoke to them directly”. No new spiritual revelation without prophets.
Intertestamental Period:
1st Maccabees 14:41: Simon made a leader and priest “until a trustworthy prophet should rise”
2 Baruch 85:3 “the prophets have fallen asleep”
Malachi (450 – 430 B.C.) and Chronicles (400 or earlier) we the last books recognized.
Christ’s Witness to the Old Testament Canon
Luke 24:44..."Now He said to them, "These are My words which I spoke to you while I was still with you, that all things which are written about Me in the Law of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms must be fulfilled." (NASB)
John 10:31 – 36..."The Jews picked up stones again to stone Him. Jesus answered them, "I showed you many good works from the Father; for which of them are you stoning Me?" The Jews answered Him, "For a good work we do not stone You, but for blasphemy; and because You, being a man, make Yourself out {to be} God." Jesus answered them, "Has it not been written in your Law, 'I SAID, YOU ARE GODS'? "If he called them gods, to whom the word of God came (and the Scripture cannot be broken),do you say of Him, whom the Father sanctified and sent into the world, 'You are blaspheming,' because I said, 'I am the Son of God'?" (NASB)
Luke 11:51; Matt. 23:35...“From the blood of Abel (Genesis) to the blood of Zechariah” (Chronicles)
John 10:31 – 36..."The Jews picked up stones again to stone Him. Jesus answered them, "I showed you many good works from the Father; for which of them are you stoning Me?" The Jews answered Him, "For a good work we do not stone You, but for blasphemy; and because You, being a man, make Yourself out {to be} God." Jesus answered them, "Has it not been written in your Law, 'I SAID, YOU ARE GODS'? "If he called them gods, to whom the word of God came (and the Scripture cannot be broken),do you say of Him, whom the Father sanctified and sent into the world, 'You are blaspheming,' because I said, 'I am the Son of God'?" (NASB)
Luke 11:51; Matt. 23:35...“From the blood of Abel (Genesis) to the blood of Zechariah” (Chronicles)
Tests for New Testament Canonicity
Apostolic foundation of the church (Ephesians 2:20; John 16:13; Acts 2:42)
Apostolic authority..."apostolic authority, or apostolic approval, that was the primary test for canonicity, and not merely apostolic authorship.” – Geisler
Attached to the authority of God
Paul defends his authority by defending his apostleship (Galatians 1 – 2).
God is the only one who spoke from his own authority
Apostolic authority..."apostolic authority, or apostolic approval, that was the primary test for canonicity, and not merely apostolic authorship.” – Geisler
Attached to the authority of God
Paul defends his authority by defending his apostleship (Galatians 1 – 2).
God is the only one who spoke from his own authority
6 Reasons for the collection of the New Testament Canon
Prophetic
Written by apostles/prophets of God (2nd Peter 3:15-16; Colossians 4:16)
Needs of the Early Church
Hostile social and religious environment
Rise of heretics
140 A.D. = Marcion’s own canon propagated
Circulation of spurious writings
Particularly in eastern churches
Missions
Translation into Syriac, Old Latin, and other languages
Persecution
Emperor Diocletian (303 A.D.) - edict to destroy the sacred books of the Christians
The Cannon clarified which were sacred and which were not, ergo, who was following the correct path and who were heretics. Who would die for a religious book that was not considered sacred?
Written by apostles/prophets of God (2nd Peter 3:15-16; Colossians 4:16)
Needs of the Early Church
Hostile social and religious environment
Rise of heretics
140 A.D. = Marcion’s own canon propagated
Circulation of spurious writings
Particularly in eastern churches
Missions
Translation into Syriac, Old Latin, and other languages
Persecution
Emperor Diocletian (303 A.D.) - edict to destroy the sacred books of the Christians
The Cannon clarified which were sacred and which were not, ergo, who was following the correct path and who were heretics. Who would die for a religious book that was not considered sacred?
Why Should We Care?
Knowing more about Biblical Doctrine than Church Doctrine..
Gives you an answer!
Gives you an edge!
Gives you an opportunity!
Gives you an answer!
Gives you an edge!
Gives you an opportunity!