A.
Canonization
1.
The word “Canon” means the measure, model or ideal.
a
Texts which “measure up”—those which meet the ideal, and those
which set the ideal
b
Question is not interpretation, but is it Scripture that one should
interpret.
2.
Refers to totality of text, not individual passages.
3.
The final step in the canonization process is when the texts themselves
become the measure — viz. Scripture.
4.
Is the text Scripture because it is canonized (church has authority over
text) , or is it canonized because it is Scripture? (text has authority)
a
Text is Scripture 1st
b
Canonization is confirmation
5.
The O.T. Canon includes 22 books in the Ancients’ conceptions and 39 in
ours.
a
Samuel, Kings, Chronicles — 1 book each
b
Minor Prophets — 1 book
c
Ezra-Nehemiah — 1 book
d
Jeremiah-Lamentations — 1 book
e
Judges-Ruth —1 book
6.
Old Testament Canonization
a
Two Views of Old Testament Canonization
i
The Three Stage Theory

The Three Stage theory basically states that the
three divisions of the Hebrew Canon represent
stages of the Canonization process
Law—400BC Prophets 200 BC Writings 90AD
Problems: NT quotes writings as Scripture.
Christian scholars trying to apply the NT council process of canonization to OT.
ii
Organic Canonization Theory

Canonization was a living process in which the texts
of the Old Testament gained acceptance through
various processes and principles
b
It seems clear that the texts functioned as Scripture and authority to
some degree long before any council made pronouncements
concerning them.
c
The process of canonization, at least as far as the O.T. is
concerned, was first of all interested in the continued relevance of
the text which was already considered authoritative.
Some books were accepted as canonical in same generation: Pentateuch, Joshua, Kings, Samuel,
Judges-Ruth, Chronicles, Ezra, Nehemiah,
Prophetic books—generation or more—time to test prophet’s authority
Last group—composition of book is a process—constantly added to over time (Psalms, Proverbs,
etc. <Pierce believes Job as well>)
Books debated a long time—Esther, Song of Songs (124 AD rabbi declared it most holy book
written. This closed the debate), Ecclesiastes, Daniel
Jasher—seems to have been scripture but then lost authority. We DO NOT have book of Jasher.
False claims of 2 current books.
7.
New Testament Canonization
a
Process was very different for the N.T.
i
Heretics very early.—had to address heresy (Marcion 140
AD)
ii
Greek influence vs. Hebrew utilitarian concept of scripture
iii
Institutionalized Church
iv
Still a Pre-canonical Canon –authoritative works even
before official canonization
b
First Canon was by a heretic Marcion (A.D. 140)
i
Anti-Semitic
ii
Forced Church to Respond
c
Church Struggled to set limits (A.D. 170-367)—from within 50
years of all writing, we see canonization discussed. Ie. Clement
declares gospel of Judas non-canonical.
i
Biblical Texts that were Questioned (only ones ever
questioned out of the 27)

Hebrews—who wrote it,

James—does it match Paul—even Luther re-visits

1 & 2 Peter—they are so different from one another
so what is relationship w/ Peter?,

2 & 3 John—written by John-too personal,

Jude—extrabiblical texts,

Revelation—apocalyptic literature
ii
Other works considered (never seriously considered)

1 Clement—90AD, very early, apostolic authorship.
Problem is he uses Phoenix as illustration which
seemed to legitimize it as truth

The Epistle of Barnabas—noted that there is no way
it was written by Barnabus

The Shepherd of Hermas—focus was more on
adultery and very little Christology

The Didache—very early collection of teachings.
Had no apostolic authority. Not consistent w/
nature of other NT books. Too creedal.

8.
Revelation of Peter—determined very early
did not originate w/ Peter

Gospel of Thomas—two gospels of Thomas

Gospel of Judas—both originated in second
century—no apostolic authority. 2nd—they
were Gnostic and were never accepted in
church ever.
iii
Old Testament Books were only discussed in
relation to the Alexandrian or Palestinian Canon
(masoretic text).

Alexandrian additions were not utilized by
N.T. writers (modern apocrypha)

Why were they excluded? Inconsistent
doctrinally w/ received text, NT never
quotes them, they were never widely
accepted by the leadership of the early
church. Up until Reformation the apocrypha
was not considered authoritative—only
devotional. Reformation caused Catholic
church to canonize them.
d
New Testament Criteria
i
Apostolic Origin
ii
Reception by early Churches
iii
Consistency with undisputed core.
iv
Christologically centered
Canonization Conclusions
a
Received Canon versus used Canon
b
Some people still operate under assumption that Canon is
debatable
i
Search for Historical Jesus
ii
Some question authorship in order to remove from
Canon.
c
The Canon is Closed — No new revelations