Canonization of the New Testament
This post is primarily aimed at other biblical scholars out there. I am looking for a resource to pass on to someone, so I thought I would see if anyone had something already prepared.
As the webmaster for the Anglican Association of Biblical Scholars, one of my jobs is to handle questions that come in. We have a section of the web site that allows people to submit questions about the Bible. I answer them or pass them on to other members, depending on the question.
Someone has submitted a request for a resource that deals with the question of NT canonization. In particular, he is looking for something that he can use in his church to counter the idea that gnostic writings and other early sources were unjustifiably excluded from the NT. He apparently has some parishioners who want to view these works as being on the same level as the Bible.
I cover the canonization of the NT in my classes, but I don’t have anything specifically related to this topic. I could do a bit of research and write it up, but since there are scholars who read this blog who are more focused on this issue than I am, I thought I would ask if someone has a handout or similar resource already written that they would be willing to share. If so, please let me know. I would greatly appreciate it.
On March 28th, 2007 at 2:15 pm
Well… since no one else has responded the best book I can think of, and I hesitate since it has been years since I have looked at it, is FF Bruce’s The Canon of Scripture.
My only hesitation (other than not having looked at it in years) would be that, as you might expect from Bruce, it is quite conservative, but that sounds like what your questioner is looking for, so that might be a plus.
Here! I just found it on my shelf…. My recollection that it is, like all of Bruce’s work, very thorough and thoughtful. Indeed a quick look at the Table of Contents and the Index shows that he deals with all the major issues. In fact, two appendices have lectures he gave in the 70’s, one on the Secret Gospel of Mark. The latter chapters look very strong (and my notes seem to show I appreciated it 15 years ago when I read it
) and deal with the issues that your questioner is concerned.
On March 28th, 2007 at 2:20 pm
I should also add, Bruce Metzger’s The Canon of the New Testament. He has a section called “Influences Bearing on the Development of Canon” that includes Gnosticism, Marcion, and Montanism.