Curated by Justin Bailey
In one sentence: The determination of what constitutes the Bible has historically been guided by church leaders and councils, shaped by theological, cultural, and historical contexts, and continues to differ across Christian traditions.
Why it matters:
The determination of what constitutes the Bible impacts Christian doctrine, liturgical practices, and the spiritual life of countless believers. This issue is crucial for understanding how different Christian traditions approach scripture and their theological underpinnings.
State of play:
The content of the Bible, including which books are considered canonical, has been historically determined by various church councils and theological leaders. The process of canonization involved discerning which writings were genuinely inspired by God and thus authoritative for faith and practice.
- Jewish Scriptures: The Hebrew Bible, or Tanakh, was recognized by Jewish scholars and is composed of the Torah, the Prophets, and the Writings. This forms the Old Testament of the Christian Bible, though the arrangement and number of books can vary.
- New Testament: Early Christian leaders and councils, such as those at Hippo (393 AD) and Carthage (397 AD), played significant roles in affirming the New Testament canon. They evaluated books based on apostolic origin, widespread acceptance, and consistency with accepted Christian teachings.
- Different Christian Traditions: The Roman Catholic, Eastern Orthodox, and Protestant Bibles include slightly different canons. For example, the Catholic Bible includes the deuterocanonical books (sometimes referred to as the Apocrypha by Protestants), which are not in the Protestant Old Testament.
Yes, but:
Despite the historical councils and consensus, the issue of what constitutes the Bible is not settled universally:
- Apocryphal and Deuterocanonical Books: These books are included in the Catholic and Orthodox Bibles but are generally not accepted by Protestant denominations.
- Ethiopian Orthodox Canon: This includes even more books than the typical Eastern Orthodox or Catholic canons, highlighting regional differences in what is considered scripture.
- Modern Discoveries and Scholarship: Discoveries like the Dead Sea Scrolls have prompted some reevaluation of biblical texts, influencing how scholars and denominations think about the canon.
What skeptics say:
Skeptics often point to the process of canonization as evidence of the Bible’s human rather than divine origin. They argue that the inclusion or exclusion of certain books was influenced by political and theological agendas of the time, challenging the notion of a purely inspired scripture.
Between the lines:
The determination of the biblical canon reflects broader theological, cultural, and historical contexts. Each tradition’s canon serves not only as a body of sacred texts but also as a statement of identity and doctrinal boundaries.
Zoom out:
The formation of the Bible is a complex interplay of divine inspiration and human agency, according to Christian belief. The variation in canons among different Christian traditions underscores the diverse ways in which believers interpret what it means to be guided by the Holy Spirit in recognizing God’s word.
The bottom line:
Who gets to determine what the Bible is has historically been the role of ecumenical councils and church leadership, influenced by theological, cultural, and sometimes political considerations. Today, these decisions continue to shape the faith and practice of Christian communities worldwide.
Follow Up Questions
What criteria have historically been used by church councils to determine the canonical status of biblical texts? (Coming Soon)
How do the different biblical canons of the Roman Catholic, Eastern Orthodox, and Protestant traditions impact their respective theological teachings and practices? (Coming Soon)
What are the theological implications of including the Apocryphal and Deuterocanonical books in some Christian Bibles but not others? (Coming Soon)
How have modern archaeological discoveries like the Dead Sea Scrolls influenced contemporary Christian understanding of the Bible's origins? (Coming Soon)
In what ways have political and cultural contexts influenced the process of determining the biblical canon throughout history? (Coming Soon)
How does the Ethiopian Orthodox Church's broader canon compare to other Christian traditions, and what does this say about regional variations in Christianity? (Coming Soon)
What arguments do skeptics use to challenge the divine inspiration of the Bible based on the canonization process, and how do Christians respond to these criticisms? (Coming Soon)
How do individual believers and local congregations approach the issue of biblical canon when there are differences within their own traditions? (Coming Soon)
What role does the concept of divine guidance play in the decisions of ecumenical councils regarding the biblical canon? (Coming Soon)
Considering the ongoing scholarly debates and discoveries, is the question of what constitutes the Bible likely to see significant changes in the future? (Coming Soon)
Justin Bailey – Creator of ChristianAnswers.ai
All answers are curated and manually reviewed prior to being posted. Multiple language models are used to assist with verification.