HOW THE BIBLEHOW THE BIBLECAME TO BECAME TO BE

CanonicityCanonicity

Chuck Gianotti March 2006

The Bible and Christian tradition claim that the Bible is God's direct verbal communication with us, and is the infallible source for instructions in life and values.

If the foundations are destroyed what can the If the foundations are destroyed what can the righteous do?righteous do?

Matthew 7:24-27Matthew 7:24-27

Necessary Steps From God To UsNecessary Steps From God To Us

REVELATION:REVELATION: God’s mind God’s mind mind of original writers mind of original writers

INSPIRATION:INSPIRATION: Writers’ minds Writers’ minds original text original text

CANONIZATION:CANONIZATION: Original text Original text post-apostolic acceptance post-apostolic acceptance

TRANSMISSION:TRANSMISSION:Accepted texts Accepted texts manuscript copies (MSS) manuscript copies (MSS)

TRANSLATION:TRANSLATION:MSS copiesMSS copies contemporary translations contemporary translations

ILLUMINATION:ILLUMINATION: Contemp. transl. Contemp. transl. our minds/hearts our minds/hearts

Definition: CANONDefinition: CANON

““It means something straight or something to It means something straight or something to keep straight; and hence also a rule or keep straight; and hence also a rule or something ruled or measured. It came to be something ruled or measured. It came to be applied to the Scriptures, to denote that they applied to the Scriptures, to denote that they contained the authoritative rule of faith and contained the authoritative rule of faith and practice, the standard of doctrine and duty.”practice, the standard of doctrine and duty.”

Definition: CANONDefinition: CANON

Canonization is not the process of making a Canonization is not the process of making a book to be Scripture by human decision. book to be Scripture by human decision. Rather, it is the process of recognizing that a Rather, it is the process of recognizing that a book is inspired. A book would be inspired of book is inspired. A book would be inspired of God whether or not people recognized it as God whether or not people recognized it as such.such.

OverviewOverview

The importance of this studyThe importance of this study External – evidence of historyExternal – evidence of history Internal – Bible’s claims about itselfInternal – Bible’s claims about itself

• Claims of Jesus words Claims of Jesus words (Matt 7:24-27, 24:35)(Matt 7:24-27, 24:35)

• Bible’s claims for itself Bible’s claims for itself (2 Tim 3:16, 2 Pet 1:21) (2 Tim 3:16, 2 Pet 1:21)

• Bible’s warnings Bible’s warnings (Rev 22:18-19)(Rev 22:18-19)

If not true, then it’s a hoax.If not true, then it’s a hoax.

OverviewOverview

Assaults on the integrity of the BibleAssaults on the integrity of the Bible Current attacksCurrent attacks Nothing newNothing new

The Original WitnessesThe Original Witnesses

12 disciples purportedly appointed to be Jesus’ official 12 disciples purportedly appointed to be Jesus’ official witnesseswitnesses

But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you.

John 14:26

But you [i.e. the Apostles] … will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth. (Acts 1:8

The Original WitnessesThe Original Witnesses

12 disciples purportedly appointed to be Jesus’ official 12 disciples purportedly appointed to be Jesus’ official witnesseswitnesses

Paul was purportedly appoint to be Jesus’ official Paul was purportedly appoint to be Jesus’ official spokesmanspokesman

… Paul also wrote to you according to the wisdom given him, as he does in all his letters when he speaks in them of these matters. There are some things in them that are hard to understand, which the ignorant and unstable twist to their own destruction, as they do the other Scriptures.

2 Peter 3:15-16

The Eye-Witness ClaimsThe Eye-Witness Claims

John claimed to be eye-witness (1 John 1:1-3)John claimed to be eye-witness (1 John 1:1-3)

Peter claimed to be eye-witness (2 Peter 1:16-18)Peter claimed to be eye-witness (2 Peter 1:16-18)

Luke claimed to be accurate researcher (Luke 1:1-4)Luke claimed to be accurate researcher (Luke 1:1-4)

Paul claimed to be eye-witness, appealed to eye-witnesses Paul claimed to be eye-witness, appealed to eye-witnesses (1Cor 15:5- (1Cor 15:5-

8)8)

Writer of Hebrews appealed to eye-witnesses (Heb 2:3-4)Writer of Hebrews appealed to eye-witnesses (Heb 2:3-4)

““Some writers may toy with the fancy of a Some writers may toy with the fancy of a ‘Christ-myth,’ but they do not do so on the ‘Christ-myth,’ but they do not do so on the ground of historical evidence. The historicity of ground of historical evidence. The historicity of Christ is as axiomatic for an unbiased historian Christ is as axiomatic for an unbiased historian as the historicity of Julius Caesar. It is not the as the historicity of Julius Caesar. It is not the historians who propagate the ‘Christ-myth’ historians who propagate the ‘Christ-myth’ theories.”theories.”

F. F. BruceF. F. Bruce

PROBLEMPROBLEM Jesus didn’t pen any writings himselfJesus didn’t pen any writings himself

Witnesses spread the teachings of Jesus orally.Witnesses spread the teachings of Jesus orally.

Some put into writing their testimony of Christ and his Some put into writing their testimony of Christ and his teachings.teachings.

After they died, other writings began to appear claiming After they died, other writings began to appear claiming apostolic authority.apostolic authority.

Succeeding generation were faced with determining Succeeding generation were faced with determining which writings were authentic and authoritative.which writings were authentic and authoritative.

PROBLEMPROBLEM They were concerned about corruptions of their They were concerned about corruptions of their

teachings after they were gone teachings after they were gone (2 Peter (2 Peter 2:1, Acts 20:29-30)2:1, Acts 20:29-30)

They reportedly made provisions for their teachings to They reportedly made provisions for their teachings to be preserved and circulated (2 Tim 2:2, Col be preserved and circulated (2 Tim 2:2, Col 4:16)4:16)

The Historical ProcessThe Historical Process

The process of investigation.The process of investigation. What do we have to work with?What do we have to work with?

No original documentsNo original documents 1000’s of copies and quotes from NT writings1000’s of copies and quotes from NT writings

• Manuscripts (MSS)Manuscripts (MSS)• LectionariesLectionaries• Ancient TranslationsAncient Translations• Quotes found in early church writingsQuotes found in early church writings

The Rylands Papyrus 457 (a.k.a. P52) discovered in Egypt; dated not later than

A.D. 150.  Its present location is John Rylands Library in

Manchester.

John 18:31-32, 37-38

Chester Beatty Papyrus II (3rd century)

Romans 15:29-33, 16:25-27

Bruce Metzger, The Text of the New Testament, 2nd ed., Plate II.

Codex Sinaiticus(4th century)John 21:1-25

Bruce Metzger, The Text of the New Testament, 2nd ed., Plate IV.

A tattered page from the Geneva Bible ca. 1578

NUMBER OF MSS EXTANTNUMBER OF MSS EXTANT 75 papyri MSS (A.D. 117-300)75 papyri MSS (A.D. 117-300)

John Rylands Fragment (A.D. 117-138) - oldestJohn Rylands Fragment (A.D. 117-138) - oldest Chester Beatty Papyri (A.D. 250) - most of the NTChester Beatty Papyri (A.D. 250) - most of the NT

Total: 5,015 MSS

1,997 Lectionaries (7th-12th cent)

2,646 parchment-minuscule MSS (9-15th cent) Oldest family of texts dates from 10th century

297 parchment-uncials MSS (4-9th cent.)Codex Vaticanus A.D. 325-350 – Oldest parchment

Comparing # of MSSComparing # of MSS

Homer’s Homer’s IliadIliad 643 643 Caesar’s Caesar’s Gallic WarsGallic Wars 10 10 Livy’s Livy’s History of RomeHistory of Rome 20 20 Tacitus Tacitus Annals of Imperial RomeAnnals of Imperial Rome 2 2 New TestamentNew Testament 5,0155,015

Comparing time to first MSSComparing time to first MSS

Caesar’s Caesar’s Gallic WarsGallic Wars 900 years 900 years Tacitus’ Tacitus’ Annals of Imperial RomeAnnals of Imperial Rome 800 years 800 years Homer’s Iliad (earliest fragments) 400 yearsHomer’s Iliad (earliest fragments) 400 years New TestamentNew Testament

Complete MSSComplete MSS 300 years 300 years Most of the NT less than 200 yearsMost of the NT less than 200 years Some booksSome books about 100 years about 100 years One fragment One fragment within 1 generation within 1 generation

Canonicity Began With Canonicity Began With The ApostlesThe Apostles

The authority of the ApostlesThe authority of the Apostles Oral traditionOral tradition

For I did not, like the multitude, take pleasure in For I did not, like the multitude, take pleasure in those who spoke much, but in those who those who spoke much, but in those who taught the truth … in those who rehearsed the taught the truth … in those who rehearsed the commandments given by the Lord to faith, and commandments given by the Lord to faith, and proceeding from truth itself. If, then, any one proceeding from truth itself. If, then, any one who had attended on the elders came, I asked who had attended on the elders came, I asked minutely after their sayings, — what Andrew or minutely after their sayings, — what Andrew or Peter said, or what was said by Philip, or by Peter said, or what was said by Philip, or by Thomas, or by James, or by John, or by Thomas, or by James, or by John, or by Matthew, or by any other of the Lord’s disciples Matthew, or by any other of the Lord’s disciples … For I imagined that what was to be got from … For I imagined that what was to be got from books was not so profitable to me as what books was not so profitable to me as what came from the living and abiding voice. came from the living and abiding voice.

Papias, Oracles, 1 (early 2Papias, Oracles, 1 (early 2ndnd century) century)

Canonicity Began With Canonicity Began With The ApostlesThe Apostles

The authority of the ApostlesThe authority of the Apostles Oral traditionOral tradition

References to the four-fold gospel begin to surface in References to the four-fold gospel begin to surface in beginning of the 2beginning of the 2ndnd century century

Let us act according to that which is written (for the Let us act according to that which is written (for the Holy Spirit saith,Holy Spirit saith, “Let not the wise man glory in his “Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom, neither let the mighty man glory in his might, wisdom, neither let the mighty man glory in his might, neither let the rich man glory in his riches; but let him neither let the rich man glory in his riches; but let him that glorieth glory in the Lord, in diligently seeking Him, that glorieth glory in the Lord, in diligently seeking Him, and doing judgment and righteousness”), and doing judgment and righteousness”), being being especially mindful of the words of the Lord Jesus which especially mindful of the words of the Lord Jesus which He spake, teaching us meekness and long-suffering. He spake, teaching us meekness and long-suffering. For thus He spokeFor thus He spoke: “Be ye merciful, that ye may obtain : “Be ye merciful, that ye may obtain mercy; forgive, that it may be forgiven to you; as ye do, mercy; forgive, that it may be forgiven to you; as ye do, so shall it be done unto you; as ye judge, so shall ye be so shall it be done unto you; as ye judge, so shall ye be judged; as ye are kind, so shall kindness be shown to judged; as ye are kind, so shall kindness be shown to you; with what measure ye mete, with the same it shall you; with what measure ye mete, with the same it shall be measured to you.” be measured to you.” 1st Clement to Corinthians1st Clement to Corinthians

Canonicity Began With Canonicity Began With The ApostlesThe Apostles

The authority of the ApostlesThe authority of the Apostles Oral traditionOral tradition References to the 4-fold gospel begin to surface in References to the 4-fold gospel begin to surface in

beginning of the 2beginning of the 2ndnd century century

Gospel according to MatthewGospel according to Matthew

Gospel according to MarkGospel according to Mark

Mark became Peter’s interpreter and wrote down Mark became Peter’s interpreter and wrote down accurately all that he remembered, whether the sayings accurately all that he remembered, whether the sayings or the doings of the Lord, but not in order—for he had or the doings of the Lord, but not in order—for he had neither heard the Lord nor followed him, but followed neither heard the Lord nor followed him, but followed Peter later on, as I said. Peter was accustomed to teach Peter later on, as I said. Peter was accustomed to teach as occasion required, but not as though he were making as occasion required, but not as though he were making a compilation of the dominical oracles. So Mark made no a compilation of the dominical oracles. So Mark made no mistake in writing down certain things as he called them mistake in writing down certain things as he called them to mind; for he paid attention to one thing: to omit none to mind; for he paid attention to one thing: to omit none of the things he had heard and to make no false of the things he had heard and to make no false statements in any of them. statements in any of them. Papias (ca. AD 130- Papias (ca. AD 130-140)140)

Canonicity Began With Canonicity Began With The ApostlesThe Apostles

Canonicity Began With Canonicity Began With The ApostlesThe Apostles

Gospel according to LukeGospel according to Luke

Gospel according to JohnGospel according to John

The authority of the ApostlesThe authority of the Apostles Oral traditionOral tradition References to the 4-fold gospel begin to surface in References to the 4-fold gospel begin to surface in

beginning of the 2beginning of the 2ndnd century century

Gospel according to MatthewGospel according to Matthew

Gospel according to MarkGospel according to Mark

Canonicity Began With Canonicity Began With The ApostlesThe Apostles

ActsActs

The authority of Paul’s writings.The authority of Paul’s writings.

The General Epistles of James, Peter, John, JudeThe General Epistles of James, Peter, John, Jude

Epistle to the Hebrews (anonymous)Epistle to the Hebrews (anonymous)

Circulation of the Circulation of the Apostolic WritingsApostolic Writings

Copies of Mark circulated to Matthew and Luke

Paul’s letters circulated almost immediately

Peter refers to “… in all Paul’s epistles” (1 Peter 3:15-16)

1 Peter was written to Christians in wide geo. area

Forgeries of Paul began to surface

The Apostolic FathersThe Apostolic Fathers Clement of Rome Clement of Rome (AD 95-96)(AD 95-96)

Ignatius of Antioch Ignatius of Antioch (110)(110)

Didache Didache (100-150)(100-150)

Papias of Hierapolis Papias of Hierapolis (130?)(130?)

Epistle of Barnabas Epistle of Barnabas (130?)(130?)

Polycarp of Smyrna Polycarp of Smyrna (110-135)(110-135)

Shepherd of Hermas Shepherd of Hermas (100-150)(100-150)

INFLUENCES ON DEVELOPMENT INFLUENCES ON DEVELOPMENT OF THE CANONOF THE CANON

Apostolic RootsApostolic Roots Spread of False TeachingSpread of False Teaching

Judaizers Judaizers (Apostolic times)(Apostolic times) Gnostics Gnostics (2(2ndnd-5-5thth centuries) centuries)

Absolute Truth

Demiurge(God of Bible)

Creation

Emanations

INFLUENCES ON DEVELOPMENT INFLUENCES ON DEVELOPMENT OF THE CANONOF THE CANON

Apostolic RootsApostolic Roots Spread of False TeachingSpread of False Teaching

Judaizers Judaizers (Apostolic times)(Apostolic times) Gnostics Gnostics (2(2ndnd-5-5thth centuries) centuries) Marcionites (2Marcionites (2ndnd century) century) MontanistsMontanists (last half of 2(last half of 2ndnd century) century)

INFLUENCES ON DEVELOPMENT INFLUENCES ON DEVELOPMENT OF THE CANONOF THE CANON

Apostolic RootsApostolic Roots Spread of False TeachingSpread of False Teaching PersecutionPersecution Book Making PracticesBook Making Practices

SUMMARY OF THE SUMMARY OF THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE CANONDEVELOPMENT OF THE CANON

General pattern of acceptanceGeneral pattern of acceptance Four Gospels (end of Apostolic period)Four Gospels (end of Apostolic period) Paul’s writings, Acts, Revelation (end of 1Paul’s writings, Acts, Revelation (end of 1stst cent.) cent.) Rest of NT debated, took longer to be accepted.Rest of NT debated, took longer to be accepted. Some other books debated, but rejected.Some other books debated, but rejected.

SUMMARY OF THE SUMMARY OF THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE CANONDEVELOPMENT OF THE CANON

General pattern of acceptanceGeneral pattern of acceptance No ecclesiastical headquartersNo ecclesiastical headquarters Recitations in church servicesRecitations in church services

SUMMARY OF THE SUMMARY OF THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE CANONDEVELOPMENT OF THE CANON

““Although the fringes of the emerging canon remained Although the fringes of the emerging canon remained unsettled for generations, a high degree of unanimity unsettled for generations, a high degree of unanimity concerning the greater part of the NT was attained among concerning the greater part of the NT was attained among the very diverse and scattered congregations of believers the very diverse and scattered congregations of believers not only throughout the Mediterranean world but also over not only throughout the Mediterranean world but also over an area extending from Britain to Mesopotamia. By the end an area extending from Britain to Mesopotamia. By the end of the third century and the beginning of the fourth century, of the third century and the beginning of the fourth century, the great majority of the twenty-seven books that still later the great majority of the twenty-seven books that still later came to be widely regarded as the canonical NT were came to be widely regarded as the canonical NT were almost universally acknowledged to be authoritative.” almost universally acknowledged to be authoritative.”

Bruce MetzgerBruce Metzger

CRITERIA FOR INCLUSIONCRITERIA FOR INCLUSION

Apostolic authorityApostolic authority

Acceptance by the churchesAcceptance by the churches

Affirmed spiritual validationAffirmed spiritual validation

The canon has been considered to be closed The canon has been considered to be closed since the 4since the 4thth century! century!

THE APOCRYPHATHE APOCRYPHA

Came from the Septuagint (LXX)Came from the Septuagint (LXX)

WritingsWritings EsdrasEsdras Tobit and JudithTobit and Judith Prayer of Azariah, etc.Prayer of Azariah, etc. EcclesiasticusEcclesiasticus 1& 2 Maccabbeees, Psalm 1511& 2 Maccabbeees, Psalm 151 Additions to varrious OT booksAdditions to varrious OT books Etc. Etc.

OTHER NON-CANONICAL OTHER NON-CANONICAL WRITINGSWRITINGS

GNOSTIC WRITINGSGNOSTIC WRITINGS

Gospel OF Thomas (A.D. 140)

Gospel of Philip (2nd century)

Exegesis of the soul (A.D. 200)

For we also have had the gospel For we also have had the gospel preached to us, just as they did; but the preached to us, just as they did; but the message they heard was of no value to message they heard was of no value to them, because those who heard did them, because those who heard did not combine it with faith not combine it with faith

Hebrews Hebrews 4:24:2

So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ

Romans 10:17