Why Sixty-Six Books? The Development of the Canon: Why We Trust the Bible with Stephen Nichols

Summary

In this session, Nichols explores the concept of the biblical canon, clarifying the difference between 'establishing' and 'recognizing' scripture. He addresses common misconceptions, such as the idea that the canon was arbitrarily chosen at the Council of Nicaea. Nichols traces the historical development of the Old and New Testament canons, highlighting the importance of apostolic authorship, theological content, and acceptance by the early church. He discusses the challenges posed by heretical texts and concludes with the church's formal recognition of the canon in the fourth century, setting the stage for future discussions on interpreting these sacred texts.

Takeaways

• 📜 The term 'canon' refers to the books of the Bible recognized as Scripture, deriving from a Greek word meaning 'measuring rod.'
• 🤔 Many people question why Protestant Bibles are smaller than Catholic Bibles, often wondering what happened to certain books.
• 🎬 Popular culture, such as 'The Da Vinci Code,' inaccurately portrays the history and process of canon formation.
• 🏛️ The canon of Scripture was not established in 325 A.D. at the Council of Nicaea, but rather recognized through a gradual process involving church leaders.
• 🔍 The Protestant view emphasizes recognizing the canon rather than establishing it, differing from the Catholic understanding.
• 📖 The Old Testament's authority is rooted in its self-reflection, with early references found in the Book of the Law and throughout the Prophets.
• 📜 The Hebrew Bible is composed of three sections: the Torah (Law), Nevi'im (Prophets), and Ketavim (Writings), collectively referred to as the Tenakh.
• 🕵️‍♂️ Early heresies, such as Marcion's rejection of the Old Testament, spurred the church to define and recognize the canon more clearly.
• 📜 The Muratorian Fragment, a key early document, provides insight into the process of recognizing the New Testament canon, highlighting criteria like authorship and content.
• 📅 By 367 A.D., Athanasius outlined the 27 books of the New Testament, which were later affirmed at the Synod of Carthage in 397 A.D.

Q & A

What does the term 'canon' mean in the context of Scripture?

The term 'canon' comes from the Greek word meaning 'measuring rod' and refers to the collection of books that constitute the Bible.

Why do some people ask why the Protestant Bible is smaller than the Catholic Bible?

This question arises from the difference in the number of books included in each tradition's canon, particularly regarding the additional books found in the Catholic Bible that are not in the Protestant version.

What is the primary distinction between how Protestants and Catholics view the canonization process?

Protestants believe the church 'recognizes' the canon, while Catholics believe the church 'establishes' the canon.

What significant event does the transcript mention regarding the Council of Nicaea?

The transcript clarifies that the Council of Nicaea in 325 AD did not settle the question of canon; instead, it was a later council in the 390s that addressed this issue.

What was Marcion's heresy, and how did it affect the early church?

Marcion's heresy involved rejecting certain Old Testament books as authentic revelation. This prompted the early church to solidify its understanding of the canon, leading to the recognition of the 39 books of the Old Testament.

What does the Muratorian Fragment signify in the context of New Testament canonization?

The Muratorian Fragment is an early document that provides insight into the books recognized by the early church and reflects the criteria used to determine the New Testament canon.

What three criteria did the early church use to recognize the canon?

The three criteria were: 1) authorship (the book must be written by an apostle), 2) content (the book must align theologically with other accepted texts), and 3) acceptance (the book must be widely accepted by the church community).

How did the New Testament reflect on its own authority regarding canon?

The New Testament contains references where apostles, such as Paul, quote Scripture, indicating an early recognition of certain texts as authoritative.

What role did Athanasius play in the canonization of the New Testament?

Athanasius, a bishop, wrote an Easter letter in 367 AD that included a list of the 27 books of the New Testament, which was later recognized by the Synod of Carthage in 397 AD.

What is the significance of the term 'Tenakh'?

The term 'Tenakh' refers to the three sections of the Hebrew Bible: Torah (Law), Nevi'im (Prophets), and Ketavim (Writings), and is an important concept in understanding the structure of the Old Testament.