NAME: CHIJIOKE NZUBECHI MIRACLE

SFACT/PB23/005
CANONIZATION OF THE NEW TESTAMENT

INTRODUCTION:
The New Testament canons refer to the collection of books that are considered authoritative and inspired
by God in the Christian faith. These books are believed to contain the teachings, life, death, and
resurrection of Jesus Christ, as well as the early Christian teachings and writings. The New Testament
canons consist of 27 books, which are divided into four main categories:
 The Gospels: These are the first four books of the New Testament - Matthew, Mark, Luke, and
John. They provide accounts of the life, ministry, teachings, death, and resurrection of Jesus
Christ.
 Acts of the Apostles: This book, written by Luke, describes the early Christian community, the
spread of Christianity, and the ministry of the apostles, particularly focusing on the activities of
Peter and Paul.
 Epistles (Letters): These are a collection of letters written by various apostles and early
Christian leaders. They include letters written by Paul (Romans, Corinthians, Galatians,
Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, Thessalonians, Timothy, Titus, and Philemon), as well as
letters written by other authors such as James, Peter, John, and Jude.
 Revelation: The final book of the New Testament, also known as the Book of Revelation or the
Apocalypse, is attributed to the apostle John. It contains apocalyptic visions and prophecies
about the end times, the second coming of Christ, and the ultimate victory of God over evil.
The process of establishing the New Testament canons was gradual and took several centuries. Early
Christian communities recognized and circulated certain writings as authoritative and inspired, while
others were disputed or rejected. The final list of 27 books was formally recognized by various church
councils, such as the Council of Carthage in 397 AD. These canons are considered sacred scripture by
most Christian denominations and are regarded as the foundation of Christian belief and practice. They
are studied, interpreted, and used as a guide for faith, worship, and moral teachings within the Christian
tradition. All these books were written in the First Century when the church was under serious
persecutions, but have had a message for Christians in every age, and speak with special force today to
us. Many scholars throughout Christian history have agreed that original language of the New Testament
was Greek.

THE HISTORY OF NEW TESTAMENT CANONIZATION

The canonization of the New Testament refers to the process by which the books that make up the New
Testament were recognized and accepted as authoritative and inspired by early Christian communities.
This process took place over several centuries and involved various criteria and debates among different
Christian groups. While there is no single event or council that definitively established the New
Testament canon, the process can be traced through historical evidence and early Christian writings.

1. Formation of the Early Christian Writings:

In the first century AD, after the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, the early Christian communities
began to produce writings that documented the life, teachings, and experiences of Jesus and his
followers. These writings included the four Gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John), letters from
apostles like Paul, Peter, and John, and the book of Acts. These writings were initially circulated among
the Christian communities and were highly valued for their teachings and authority 1.

2. Recognition of Apostolic Authority:

One of the key criteria for the canonization of the New Testament was the apostolic authority of the
writings. Early Christians believed that the apostles, who were eyewitnesses of Jesus' ministry, had a
unique authority to convey his teachings accurately. Therefore, writings that were directly associated
with the apostles or their close associates were given special consideration. For example, the Gospel of
Matthew was attributed to the apostle Matthew, and the Gospel of Mark was believed to be based on the
teachings of the apostle Peter.

3. Widespread Use and Acceptance:

Another important factor in the canonization process was the widespread use and acceptance of certain
writings by different Christian communities. The early Christian communities valued the writings that
were consistent with their beliefs, teachings, and practices. As these writings were circulated and read in
various Christian communities, they gained recognition and authority. For example, the letters of Paul
were widely circulated and read among the early Christian communities, which contributed to their
acceptance and inclusion in the New Testament2.

4. Early Lists and Catalogs:

In the second and third centuries, several early Christian leaders and theologians compiled lists or
catalogs of authoritative Christian writings. These lists, known as "canons," varied in their content and
included different combinations of books. Some of the notable lists include the Muratorian Fragment (c.
170 AD), which included most of the New Testament books, and the lists of Origen (c. 240 AD) and
Eusebius (c. 325 AD), which provided a comprehensive list of the New Testament books that are widely
accepted today.

5. Councils and Debates:

While there was no single council that officially canonized the New Testament, some church councils in
the fourth and fifth centuries discussed and confirmed the existing consensus on the canon. For example,
the Council of Carthage (397 AD) and the Council of Hippo (393 AD) affirmed the same list of New
Testament books that had been widely accepted by most Christian communities. These councils played a

1
. Metzger, B. M., & Ehrman, B. D. (2005). The Text of the New Testament: Its Transmission,
Corruption, and Restoration. Oxford University Press.

2
. Bruce, F. F. (1988). The Canon of Scripture. InterVarsity Press.
significant role in solidifying the canonization process and establishing the New Testament canon as we
know it today3.

It is important to note that the canonization process was not without debates and controversies. Some
writings, such as the Shepherd of Hermas or the Gospel of Thomas, were considered by some early
Christians but ultimately excluded from the New Testament canon due to various reasons, including
their late composition or lack of apostolic authority

THE CANONIZATION PROCESS OF THE NEW TESTAMENT

The canonization process of the New Testament involved the selection and acceptance of the writings
that now form the authoritative collection of Christian scripture. This note aims to provide a
comprehensive examination of the canonization of the New Testament, exploring the criteria, historical
context, and key figures involved in the formation of the canon.

I. HISTORICAL CONTEXT:

1. Early Christian Writings: - In the first century CE, multiple writings circulated among early
Christian communities, including Gospels, Epistles, Acts, and Apocalypse.4 These writings were valued
for their teachings, historical accounts, and theological insights, but their status as authoritative scripture
was not immediately established.
2. Emergence of a Recognized Canon: - By the second century CE, a growing need arose to
distinguish authoritative writings from other texts claiming apostolic authority.5 The process of
canonization involved a gradual recognition and acceptance of specific writings as sacred scripture
within the Christian community.

II. CRITERIA FOR CANONIZATION:

1. Apostolic Origin: - Writings associated with apostles or individuals closely connected to them
carried significant weight in the canonization process6. The apostolic connection ensured a direct link to
Jesus and his teachings, enhancing the credibility and authority of the writings.
2. Orthodox Doctrine: - Writings that aligned with the theological beliefs and teachings accepted by
the early Christian communities were given preference7. Doctrinal consistency with the teachings of
Jesus and the apostles was a crucial factor in determining whether a writing was to be included in the
canon.

3
Ehrman, B. D. (2005). Misquoting Jesus: The Story Behind Who Changed the Bible and Why.
HarperOne.
4
Dunn, J. D. G. (2006). Christianity in the making: Vol. 2:
5
Canon revisited: Establishing the origins and authority of the New Testament books. Crossway. - McDonald, L. M. (2007).
6
Oxford University Press. - Moss, C. (2017). The myth of persecution: How early Christians invented a story of martyrdom.
7
Beginning from Jerusalem. Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing. - Ehrman, B. D. (2012).
3. Widespread Acceptance and Usage: - Writings that were widely recognized, read, and used in
Christian worship and instruction across various regions were more likely to be included in the canon 8.
The acceptance of writing by multiple early Christian communities demonstrated its widespread
authority and relevance.

III. KEY FIGURES AND COUNCILS:

1. Early Church Fathers: - Church fathers like Irenaeus, Origen, and Tertullian played instrumental
roles in advocating for specific writings and contributing to the development of the canon9. Their
writings and influential positions within the early church helped shape the consensus on the authoritative
status of various New Testament books.
2. Councils and Lists: - Councils, such as the Council of Hippo (393 CE) and the Council of Carthage
(397 CE), played a significant role in affirming the canon by formally listing the accepted books 10.
These councils were instrumental in solidifying the consensus on the New Testament canon within the
early church. The canonization of the New Testament was not a singular event but a gradual process that
involved careful consideration of various criteria, historical context, and the contributions of key figures
within the early Christian community. Through the recognition of apostolic origin, adherence to
orthodox doctrine, and widespread acceptance and usage, the canon eventually took shape.

IV. DEVELOPMENT OF THE NEW TESTAMENT CANON:

1. Early Recognition of Certain Books: - Some writings were recognized early on as having authority,
such as the four Gospels, the Pauline Epistles, and the Acts of the Apostles11. These writings were
valued for their apostolic connections, doctrinal consistency, and widespread acceptance.
2. Disputed and Controversial Writings: - Certain writings faced debates and controversies regarding
their inclusion in the canon12. Books like Hebrews, James, Revelation, 2 Peter, 2 and 3 John, and Jude
were initially disputed due to concerns about authorship, orthodoxy, and apostolic connections.

V. EARLY LISTS OF CANONICAL BOOKS:

1. Muratorian Fragment: - The Muratorian Fragment (c. 170-200 CE) is one of the earliest surviving
lists of New Testament books13. It includes the four Gospels, Acts, Pauline Epistles, 1 John, and
Revelation, while some books, like Hebrews, James, and 1 and 2 Peter, are missing or uncertain.

8
Lost Christianities: The battles for scripture and the faiths we never knew. Oxford University Press. - Hill, C. (2003).

9
The Bible in English. Yale University Press. - Kruger, M. J. (2012).
10
The formation of the Christian biblical canon. Baker Academic. - Metzger, B. M. (1997). The canon of the New Testament:
Its origin, development, and significance.
11
Beginning from Jerusalem. Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing. - Ehrman, B. D. (2012).
12
Beginning from Jerusalem. Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing. - Ehrman, B. D. (2012).
13
The formation of the Christian biblical canon. Baker Academic. - Metzger, B. M. (1997).
2. Athanasius' Easter Letter: - Athanasius, the Bishop of Alexandria, in his Easter Letter (367 CE),
provided one of the earliest lists identical to the current New Testament canon 14. He listed the 27 books
accepted today, excluding the disputed writings.

VI. CHURCH FATHERS' INFLUENCE ON CANONIZATION:

1. Irenaeus: - Irenaeus of Lyons (c. 130-202 CE) defended the four Gospels, emphasizing their
apostolic connections and rejecting alternative gospels15. His work greatly influenced the acceptance and
authority of the four Gospels.
2. Origen: - Origen of Alexandria (c. 185-254 CE) played a significant role in the formation of the New
Testament canon through his writings and scholarly works16. Origen's extensive cataloging and analysis
of various early Christian writings contributed to the growing consensus on the canon.

FACTORS INFLUENCING CANONIZATION OF NEW TESTAMENT

1. Ecclesiastical Usage: - The usage of certain writings in liturgical practices, public readings, and
teaching contributed to their recognition and acceptance within the early Christian communities 17. The
frequent use of specific books elevated their status and contributed to their inclusion in the canon.
2. Response to Heretical Writings: - The need to differentiate orthodox teachings from heretical ones
motivated early Christians to establish an authoritative canon18. The canonization process aimed to
provide a clear and consistent theological foundation against emerging heretical groups and their
writings.
In Conclusion, The canonization of the New Testament involved a gradual process of recognizing and
accepting specific writings as authoritative scripture. The early recognition of certain books, the
development of lists, the influence of church fathers, and factors like ecclesiastical usage and response
to heretical writings all played essential roles in shaping the canon. The canonization process ensured
that the New Testament writings we have today are those that were deemed apostolic, doctrinally sound,
and widely accepted by the early Christian communities.

14
The Bible in English. Yale University Press. - Kruger, M. J. (2012).
15
The Bible in English. Yale University Press. - Kruger, M. J. (2012).
16
Canon revisited: Establishing the origins and authority of the New Testament books. Crossway. - McDonald, L. M. (2007).
17
The formation of the Christian biblical canon. Baker Academic. - Metzger, B. M. (1997).
18
Canon revisited: Establishing the origins and authority of the New Testament books. Crossway. - McDonald, L. M. (2007).
BIBLIOGRAPHY
Dunn, J. D. G. (2006). Christianity in the making: Vol. 2:
Beginning from Jerusalem. Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing. - Ehrman, B. D. (2012).
Lost Christianities: The battles for scripture and the faiths we never knew. Oxford University Press. -
Hill, C. (2003).
The Bible in English. Yale University Press. - Kruger, M. J. (2012).
Canon revisited: Establishing the origins and authority of the New Testament books. Crossway. -
McDonald, L. M. (2007).
Oxford University Press. - Moss, C. (2017). The myth of persecution: How early Christians invented a
story of martyrdom.
The Bible in English. Yale University Press. - Kruger, M. J. (2012). Canon revisited:
Establishing the origins and authority of the New Testament books. Crossway. - McDonald, L. M.
(2007).
The formation of the Christian biblical canon. Baker Academic. - Metzger, B. M. (1997).
The canon of the New Testament: Its origin, development, and significance. Oxford University Press. -
Moss, C. (2017). The myth of persecution: How early Christians invented a story of martyrdom.
Metzger, B. M., & Ehrman, B. D. (2005). The Text of the New Testament: Its Transmission, Corruption,
and Restoration. Oxford University Press.

McDonald, L. M., & Sanders, J. A. (2002). The Canon Debate. Hendrickson Publishers.

Bruce, F. F. (1988). The Canon of Scripture. InterVarsity Press.

Ehrman, B. D. (2005). Misquoting Jesus: The Story Behind Who Changed the Bible and Why.
HarperOne.