2. From Stories to Canon
This lecture delineates the historical processes and criteria, including apostolic authority and theological appropriateness, that shaped the formation and consensus of the New Testament canon. It also examines the instrumental role of the codex in this development.
Introduction to New Testament (RLST 152)
The Christian faith is based upon a canon of texts considered to be holy scripture. How did this canon come to be? Different factors, such as competing schools of doctrine, growing consensus, and the invention of the codex, helped shape the canon of the New Testament. Reasons for inclusion in or exclusion from the canon included apostolic authority, general acceptance, and theological appropriateness for "proto-orthodox" Christianity.
1. Introduction: Why Study the New Testament?
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