By Randall
L. Broad
Liberty Corpus is a collection of the discussion
boards, research papers, and other writings compiled while studying systematic
theology at Liberty University Online. The posts published here have been
further researched, edited, and redacted from their original assignments.
Canon
Question:
Give a definition of the word "canon" and describe the basic criteria
and time-line of the formation of the New Testament. Why did early Christians
feel a need to establish an authoritative list of Scripture? What element in
the criteria is most important? How would you respond to a person who claimed
that the canon of the Bible should still be open today?
Jesus commanded the disciples to “Go therefore and
make disciples of all the nations …” (Matthew 28:19, Mark 16:15)
Definition:
The textbook, The Cradle, The Cross, and The Crown
defines the word canon to mean rule or standard.[1]
The dictionary defines it as “a rule or law of a
church”. (Merriam-Webster Inc. 2007)
Reason and
Criteria:
Historically for ideas to penetrate nations and
redefine culture they must contain a high degree of authority and legitimacy.
The mission of the disciples and early church leaders could not be fulfilled
without the testimony of the Apostles first and the early church leaders second.
But as generations passed it became clear teachings needed to be “canonized”
and preserved for future generations of evangelicals, teachers, and converts.
The “formal legitimacy” of scripture was based upon the same criteria used by
the early church fathers: apostolicity, orthodoxy, antiquity, and
ecclesiastical usage. Gospels and epistles had to meet all four criteria to be
included in the final canon.[2]
The process of formalizing the new faith was too long to be recorded here. The
earliest Christians simply passed on their teachings in accordance with the
traditions of their time using the available Gospels and Epistles. Yet as the
Church grew and spread it became important for the early church leaders to
distribute and interpret these scripture to translate and prevent heretical
changes that would undermine the legitimacy of the faith as the church came
under increasing persecution.
Timeline of the New Testament Canon
All of the books of the New Testament were written
in the First Century, but they were not canonized until much later and by the
end of the Fourth and Fifth Century the New Testament took the form familiar to
us today. While the exact timeline of events cannot be known the authors of the
textbook offer a logical hypothesis. The Synoptic Gospels of Mark, Matthew, and
Luke were recognized early. At the same time the letter of Paul began
circulating around the churches as a collection. John wrote his gospel and the
publication of Jesus’ teachings took the form of a fourfold canon. The Book of
Acts, the General Epistles, and the Book of Revelations were gathered as the
church fathers applied the selection criteria over the next three centuries.[3]
My Answer
…
All four criteria have profound value that cannot
be separated from the whole. All four are interdependent with each other. The
legitimacy of the canon is that the Word of God we have today is the timeless
testimony of the Apostles and their inner circles. They walked beside Jesus
during a time when there was no media and no other record of his deeds and
words than the people who witnessed the miracles and events. We rely upon their
testimony. From testimony emerges orthodoxy, or as Paul defined it in Romans
12:6 as the ‘rule of faith’. As I understand it that refers to the core of
Christian values which come from the words, deeds, and teachings of Jesus
Christ. From orthodoxy comes the ecclesiastic usage of the faith for the
edifying and raising up of the faithful. And all three exist within the realm
of antiquity were they were given birth by the fact that Jesus lived, taught,
and died during that time. All four criteria are interdependently woven. For
analysis and study we can break them down but in the end the true canonization
of the scriptures lies in the relationship found in all four criteria.
The
Question of an open canon …
I would reply to skeptic that the canon of the New
Testament must be closed because of the relationship I outlined above. As a
writer, I believe in the power of words, but there is no way anything I or any
of my contemporaries write can have the authority of scripture. It is purely
opinion. It may be scholarly, or even divinely inspired, but nothing written
since the closing of the canon can meet the necessary criteria. Particularly
anything written in the present age is missing two elements of that selection
process. None of us was alive two thousand years ago and none of us will ever
meet the Apostles.
Walk with the Lord …
Ephesians 1:17
(RLB241228)
© Copyright 2018: Randall L. Broad
Disclaimer: This commentary is written by Randall L. Broad. It is in no way affiliated with or represents any denomination, university, church, or pastor. Any errors or omissions are purely my responsibility.
Works Cited
Kostenberger, Andreas J., Kellum, L. Scott, Quarles, Charles
L. The Cradle, the Cross, and the Crown. Nashville: B & H, 2009.
[1] Kostenberger, Andreas J., Kellum, L. Scott, Quarles, Charles L. The
Cradle, the Cross, and the Crown. Nashville: B & H, 2009: 3.
[2] Ibid, 8-10.
[3] Ibid, 22-25.
