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The Canonization of the BibleThe canonization of the Bible was a complex historical process that took centuries and involved debates among religious leaders, scholars, and communities. The term "canon" refers to the official list of books recognized as Scripture. The formation of the biblical canon occurred separately for the Hebrew Bible (Old Testament) and the New Testament.
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Canonization of the Hebrew Bible |
The Hebrew Bible (Tanakh) developed over many centuries, with its canon solidifying by around the 2nd century CE.
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Canonization of the New Testament |
The New Testament books were written between the mid-1st and early 2nd century CE. The process of defining the canon took several centuries.
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Canonization of the Hebrew Bible (Old Testament)The Hebrew Bible (Tanakh) developed over many centuries, with its canon solidifying by around the 2nd century CE.
Canonization of the New Testament The New Testament books were written between the mid-1st and early 2nd century CE. The process of defining the canon took several centuries.
- Torah (Pentateuch) – 5th Century BCE
The first section, the Torah (Genesis through Deuteronomy), was widely accepted as authoritative by the time of Ezra (5th century BCE). - Prophets (Nevi'im) – 2nd Century BCE
The books of the Prophets (Joshua, Judges, Samuel, Kings, Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, and the Twelve Minor Prophets) were recognized as sacred by the 2nd century BCE. - Writings (Ketuvim) – 1st-2nd Century CE
The final section, the Writings (Psalms, Proverbs, Job, etc.), was the last to be accepted. The process was still under discussion in the 1st century CE, with the Council of Jamnia (c. 90 CE) traditionally credited with confirming the Hebrew canon, although its role is debated.
Canonization of the New Testament The New Testament books were written between the mid-1st and early 2nd century CE. The process of defining the canon took several centuries.
- Early Recognition (2nd-3rd Century CE)
- Early Christian communities used a variety of texts, including letters, gospels, and apocalyptic writings.
- Church fathers like Irenaeus (c. 180 CE) defended the fourfold Gospel (Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John) as authoritative.
- By the late 2nd century, the Muratorian Fragment (c. 170 CE) listed most of the New Testament books.
- Formalization (4th-5th Century CE)
- The first list identical to the modern New Testament appeared in 367 CE in a letter by Athanasius of Alexandria.
- Church councils, such as the Council of Hippo (393 CE) and Council of Carthage (397 CE), affirmed this canon.
- In 405 CE, Pope Innocent I approved the same 27-book canon.
- Final Confirmation in the Middle Ages
- The canon remained stable, but debates over certain books (e.g., Hebrews, James, Revelation) continued in some traditions.
- The Council of Trent (1546 CE) officially affirmed the Catholic canon, including the Deuterocanonical books (which Protestants call the Apocrypha).
- The Protestant Reformation (16th century) led to the removal of these books from Protestant Bibles, following Martin Luther’s views.
- Jewish and Protestant Bibles: Contain only the 39 books of the Old Testament (Hebrew Bible).
- Catholic Bibles: Include the Deuterocanonical books (Tobit, Judith, Wisdom, Sirach, Baruch, and 1 & 2 Maccabees).
- Orthodox Bibles: Include additional books, such as 3 Maccabees and Psalm 151.
