Process of Canonization

From the Greek word kanon we get the term “canon” which literally means a “measuring instrument.” (Ryrie 119). This particular measuring instrument, the Holy Bible, measures out a man and finds him wanting. (Daniel 5:27) The Bible was written over 1500 years by 40 different authors. By the year 300 B.C. all of the Old Testament books were written. Many believe that Ezra and the Great Synagogue (first recognition council) recognized which books were Scripture and divided the Old Testament books into three divisions: the Law, the Prophets, and the Kethubhim. (Thiessen 60) Interestingly, Jesus Christ made this same division in Luke 24:44. At the Council of Jamnia, in A.D. 90, remaining disputes concerning the canonicity of Ecclesiastes and Song of Solomon were finally resolved with them being included in the Old Testament canon (although it is reported that some discussion continued for another century). (Theissen 59) The New Testament books were written by the year A.D. 100 and the canon was officially declared for the western church at the Third Council of Carthage in A.D. 397. (Thiessen 60) By the year A.D. 500, the eastern church had agreed that the 66 books recognized earlier by the western church were authoritative Scripture. (Theissen 61)

This canonization process did not make the books authoritative; rather, these books were authoritative when they were written. The church merely recognized them as the Word of God. (Ryrie 119). Therefore, by the end of the fourth century, the canon was closed until the Council of Trent in A.D. 1546. At this Roman Catholic Council 11 more books or parts of books were added to the Old Testament. Among other reasons for the inclusion was the fact that these books were included in the Greek Old Testament, the Septuagint, and these books supported heretical Roman Catholic doctrines such as purgatory (II Maccabees). (Geisler 514) Often Martin Luther is thought to have challenged the canonicity of the General Epistle of James as he referred to it as a “straw epistle”. (Ryrie 124) His comments were based upon the doctrine taught in James, never did he intend to question its authority as Scripture. (Ryrie 124) Even today there are cults and religious groups who seek to add to the Word of God new books such as the Mormons (the Pearl of Great Price and the Book of Mormon). As one can see many have tried to continue the process of canonization even though it ended over 1600 years ago.

Sources

Geisler, Dr. Norman. Systematic Theology. Vol. 1 Minneapolis, Minnesota: Bethany House, 2002.

Ryrie, Charles C. Basic Theology. Chicago, Illinois: Moody Press, 1999.

Thiessen, Henry Clarence. Lectures in Systematic Theology. Grand Rapids, Michigan: William B. Eerdsman Publishing Company, 1979.