How did the books of the Bible come to be recognized as Holy Scripture? Who decided what shape the canon should take? What criteria influenced these decisions? After nearly nineteen centuries the canon of Scripture still remains an issue of debate. Protestants, Catholics and the Orthodox all have slightly differing collections of documents in their Bibles. Martin Luther, one of the early leaders of the Reformation, questioned the inclusion of the book of James in the canon. And many Christians today, while confessing the authority of all of Scripture, tend to rely on only a few books and particular themes while ignoring the rest.
Scholars have raised many other questions as well. Research into second-century Gnostic texts has led some to argue that politics played a significant role in the formation of the Christian canon. Assessing the influence of ancient communities and a variety of disputes on the final shaping of the canon calls for ongoing study.
Praise for the Print Edition
This book is at once learned and readable, and takes account of the most recent discoveries and literature. It is the most comprehensive account of the canon since Bishop Westcott's The Bible in the Church.
—Roger Beckwith, Latimer House, Oxford
This work belongs in every theological library.
—Grace Theological Journal
Winner of two 1990 Christianity Today Awards and a 1989 ECPA Gold Medallion Award, The Canon of Scripture remains a significant landmark and touchstone for further studies.
Additional Information
- Title: The Canon of Scripture
- Author: F. F. Bruce
- 349 pages
- InterVarsity Press, 1988
About the Author
Bruce (1910-1990) was Rylands Professor of Biblical Criticism and Exegesis at the University of Manchester in England. During his distinguished career, he wrote many bestselling commentaries and books, including Paul, Apostle of the Heart Set Free, A Mind for What Matters and several titles published by InterVarsity Press. He also served as general editor of The New International Commentary on the New Testament.
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Sample Pages from the Print Edition