Canon of the New Testament (I. Introduction) Canon of the New Testament (II. Definition of “Canon”) III. Theological Issues Related to the New Testament Canon (1) Under this heading, we will discuss 1. Canon and Cause, 2. Canon and Authority, 3. Canonical Foundation and Redemptive History, 4. Canon and Christ, 5. Canon and the Inspiration of the Holy Spirit, 6. Canon and the Apostolate, and 7. Canon and Recognition. We  [ Read More ]

Part I can be read here. The basic definition of “canon” is rule, standard, or norm. It derives from a Semitic word which meant reed, cane, stalk of grain.[1] “The idea of measurement became predominant and from the 5th cent. B.C. kanon meant above all a measuring line, measuring rod, balance arm, fixed rule, norm.”[2] In the New Testament “canon” is used by Paul only in 2 Corinthians 10:13, 15, 16  [ Read More ]

New Testament Canonics – A Theological or Historical issue or both? What caused the canon of the New Testament? Are there theological causes to the canon of the New Testament? Or is this question to be settled upon church-historical grounds alone? These are important, and much-debated, questions. The relationship between theology and history is a complex issue. Since the Enlightenment, there has been a tendency to humanize what used to  [ Read More ]