canon
Quick Summary
The term "canon" refers to a collection of sacred texts that are considered divinely inspired and authoritative within Judaism and Christianity. These texts are viewed as beyond alteration and form the basis of religious belief and practice.12
The Jewish canon, known as the Hebrew Bible or TaNaKh, is divided into three sections: the Torah (Law), Nevi'im (Prophets), and Ketuvim (Writings). Christianity's canon includes the Old Testament (largely corresponding to the Hebrew Bible) and the New Testament, which comprises the Gospels, letters, and the Book of Revelation.342
While the concept of a fixed canon evolved over time, these sacred texts are distinguished from apocryphal or semisacred literature, which may be valuable but lacks the same level of ultimate authority. The determination of which texts belong in the canon was a complex process, with different religious bodies and historical periods contributing to its final form.1432
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biblical literatureOld Testament canon, texts, and versionsThe term canon, from a Hebrew-Greek word meaning “cane” or “measuring rod,” passed into Christian usage to mean “norm” or “rule of faith.” The Church Fathers of the 4th century ce first employed it in reference to the definitive,…
Read MoreThe term canon, from a Hebrew-Greek word meaning “cane” or “measuring rod,” passed into Christian usage to mean “norm” or “rule of faith.” The Church Fathers of the 4th century ce first employed it in reference to the definitive,…
Read More- biblical literatureNew Testament canon, texts, and versions
The New Testament consists of 27 books, which are the residue, or precipitate, out of many 1st–2nd-century-ce writings that Christian groups considered sacred. In these various writings the early church…
Read MoreThe New Testament consists of 27 books, which are the residue, or precipitate, out of many 1st–2nd-century-ce writings that Christian groups considered sacred. In these various writings the early church…
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ChristianityThe problem of scriptural authority…authenticity was found in the Scriptures. Christians inherited (without debate at first) the Hebrew Bible as the Word of God to the people of God at a now superseded stage of their pilgrimage through history. If St. Paul’s Gentile mission was valid, then theMosaic Law was viewed as no longer…
Read More…authenticity was found in the Scriptures. Christians inherited (without debate at first) the Hebrew Bible as the Word of God to the people of God at a now superseded stage of their pilgrimage through history. If St. Paul’s Gentile mission was valid, then theMosaic Law was viewed as no longer…
Read More- ChristianityNormative defenses in the early church
…had created and fixed the canon of the New Testament, primarily in response to the threat of gnostic writings. This is one of the primary distinctions between the Orthodox Church and the Reformation churches, which view the Scriptures as the final norm and rule for the church and church teaching.…
Read More…had created and fixed the canon of the New Testament, primarily in response to the threat of gnostic writings. This is one of the primary distinctions between the Orthodox Church and the Reformation churches, which view the Scriptures as the final norm and rule for the church and church teaching.…
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