1. Theme 1D: How the Christian biblical canon was established
In Greek, the term ‘canon’ refers to a measuring rod.
It has come to have two related meanings:
(i) norm: the standard by which we judge something
(ii) a standardized list
Early Christians used a wide range of books to guide their faith but early Church fathers found some to be misleading.
The ‘canon’ is the official standard list of scripture, established by early church fathers, known as the Bible.
Theme 1D: How the Christian biblical canon was established

2. The Christian claim about the canon1D
Christians believe that OT and NT are canon.
It is a striking claim considering:
The writings span nearly 1000 years,
Written by different authors in different languages
Encompassing different genres
It maybe seemed obvious which books should have been in the canon- these books were already influential and central to the early Church.
The Christian claim about the canon

3. The Christian claim about the canon1D
However, there were disagreements about which books should be the canon
There were different versions of the Hebrew Bible in circulation at the beginning of Christianity
There were also books that claimed to be written by figures important to believers, but were falsely using these names to gain authority.
The Christian claim about the canon

4. 1D
The Jewish Bible is not exactly the same as the Christian OT
Jewish believers don’t class it as old
Not all Christian OTs are the same- but all Jews agree on the books in Hebrew scripture.
The Jewish Canon
TNK: pronounced Tanakh- an acronym used by Jewish believers to refer to the Hebrew Bible: Torah (first 5 books of the Bible), Nevi’im (the prophets), Kethuvim(the writings).

5. The Jewish Canon The Hebrew Scripture is 3-fold:
The Law (Torah), the first 5 books of the OT, traditionally written by Moses
The Prophets (Nevi’im)
A diverse set of writings (Kethuvim), including poetry, prophecy, history etc.
Many Jews refer to it as TNK, an acronym, pronounced Tanakh
The Jewish Canon
TNK: pronounced Tanakh- an acronym used by Jewish believers to refer to the Hebrew Bible: Torah (first 5 books of the Bible), Nevi’im (the prophets), Kethuvim(the writings).

6. How did the Hebrew Bible become canon?
Do not know an exact date when these books were first considered canon
Many scholars believe that these three parts represent three successive stages in the formation of the canon, with the Torah being the earliest part to be recognized
Shared orally first and then written down just prior to or during the exile of Babylon in 6th century BCE.
Conservative Jews will give this a much earlier date.
The writings of the prophets occurred soon after this.
How did the Hebrew Bible become canon?

7. How did the Hebrew Bible become canon?
The collection of writings were not acknowledged as canon until the first centuries of the common era.
Even at the time of Jesus, it doesn’t seem to be finalized. Luke 24:44 “Everything must be fulfilled that is written about me in the Law of Moses, the Prophets and the Psalms.”
Jewish historian Josephus mentions the Law, the Prophets and ‘four books’ which are assumed to be Psalms, Songs of Solomon, Proverbs and Ecclesiastes.
Clearly the final part of the Hebrew canon was not yet finalised
How did the Hebrew Bible become canon?