The Development of the New Testament Canon
Autor: andrey • November 28, 2011 • Research Paper • 3,548 Words (15 Pages) • 1,920 Views
The Development of the New Testament Canon
A New Testament Research Project
Presented to
Dr. T. Grizzle
School of Theology and Ministry
Oral Roberts University
In Partial Fulfillment
Of the Requirements for the Course
GBIB 571, New Testament Synthesis
By
Bethany L. Hinton
April 15, 2011
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Introduction 1
Definitions 1
Scripture 2
Canon 2
Historical Events Leading to the New Testament Canon 2
The Documents 4
The Necessity of a Canon 5
Marcion Heresy 6
The Church Fathers 8
Criteria for Inclusion in the Canon 9
Orthodoxy 9
Apostolicity 10
Universality 10
Official Recognition 11
Final Thoughts 11
Bibliography 12
Rare is the pastor, teacher, or evangelist who has not been asked the simple, yet profound question, "Where did the Bible come from?" Perhaps those doubting their faith have asked, "How do we know we can trust the Bible?" Dangerously, many have gotten half-information at best and misinformation at worst on the subject of the canonization of Scripture. Many of these questions, in the Christian world, do not center on the Old Testament but the New Testament. Perhaps this doubt stems from its (relative) young age (around 1,900-2000 years old) or perhaps the stigma associated with the word "New". Regardless, the issues related to authority and canonization are ever-present in regards to the New Testament. As McDonald so clearly stated:
No credible person today seriously believes that the Bible fell out of heaven fully bound in its current state with gilded edges and with a highly precise interpretation from God in it.
This immediately presents a problem as to the
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