The Canon in Bibliology (Doctrine of Scripture): How the Books of the Bible Were Chosen
The canon of Scripture refers to the authoritative list of books that make up the Bible. Christians confess that the Bible is God’s Word, divinely inspired and uniquely authoritative. But how did the people of God come to recognize which writings belonged in the canon? This question is not merely academic; it relates directly to the trustworthiness of God’s revelation and to the foundation of the Gospel itself.
The canon was not the result of human invention or councils imposing authority. Instead, the books of the Bible carried self-authenticating marks of divine inspiration, which the people of God recognized. From the Old Testament writings affirmed by Christ and the apostles to the New Testament writings acknowledged by the early church, the canon reflects God’s intention to govern His people through His Word.
1. Recognition of the Old Testament Canon
The Old Testament canon was already established before the time of Christ. Jesus affirmed its authority when He said, “Everything written about me in the Law of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms must be fulfilled” (Luke 24:44). This threefold division reflects the Jewish canon, which contained the same content as the Christian Old Testament, though arranged differently.
Features of the Old Testament canon include:
The Law (Torah): Genesis through Deuteronomy, the foundation of God’s covenant.
The Prophets (Nevi’im): Historical and prophetic writings pointing to God’s dealings with His people.
The Writings (Ketuvim): Wisdom, poetry, and narratives that display God’s covenant faithfulness.
In total, Jewish tradition recognized 24 books, which correspond to the 39 books in the Christian Old Testament once divided differently. The authority of these writings was never in serious dispute, for they bore divine authority from the moment of inspiration.
2. Role of Jesus and the Apostles
Jesus and the apostles consistently treated the Old Testament as the Word of God. When Jesus was tempted, He responded, “It is written, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God’” (Matthew 4:4). The apostles likewise grounded their preaching in Scripture: “All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness” (2 Timothy 3:16).
This reliance on the Old Testament reveals two things:
Continuity: The Gospel is not detached from Israel’s Scriptures but fulfills them.
Authority: The words of God in the Old Testament were binding for Christ and the early church, and they remain binding today.
3. Recognition of the New Testament Canon
The New Testament canon developed as the early church recognized the same marks of divine authority in the writings of the apostles and their close associates. These writings were not made canonical by the church; they were canonical because God inspired them.
Criteria of recognition included:
Apostolic authorship or close association with an apostle.
Consistency with the Old Testament and the teaching of Jesus.
Universal use across the churches.
Spiritual fruit and transformative power.
Books such as the Gospels, Acts, Paul’s letters, and Revelation were received widely and early. Disputed writings like Hebrews, James, and 2 Peter were eventually affirmed as their divine authority became clear to the whole church.
4. Reality of Self-Authenticating Authority
The canon of Scripture was not created by human councils but recognized through God’s providence. As Paul wrote, “When you received the word of God, which you heard from us, you accepted it not as the word of men but as what it really is, the word of God” (1 Thessalonians 2:13).
This reality means:
Books became canonical at inspiration, not after centuries of debate.
The church’s role was ministerial, recognizing God’s Word, not magisterial, deciding it.
God’s people responded to His voice, just as Israel responded to the words of the prophets.
5. Relevance of the Canon for the Gospel and the Last Days
The canon of Scripture is not merely a historical curiosity; it is essential for understanding the Gospel and the hope of God’s people.
The Gospel foundation: The Old Testament prepared the way for Christ, while the New Testament reveals His saving work. Without the canon, the Gospel message would be uncertain.
The church’s mission: Just as Israel was governed by the written Word, so too the church is directed by Scripture until Christ returns.
The last days: The canon provides the framework for understanding God’s promises, including the return of Christ and the restoration of all things. As Peter declared, “We have the prophetic word more fully confirmed, to which you will do well to pay attention as to a lamp shining in a dark place” (2 Peter 1:19).
The canon, therefore, not only testifies to God’s past works but also secures the church’s confidence for the future.
Conclusion
The canon of Scripture was not chosen by human decision but recognized as the Word of God. From the Law, Prophets, and Writings to the Gospels, Epistles, and Revelation, God’s people have been given a complete testimony of His covenant purposes. The Bible is sufficient to instruct in salvation, to sustain the church in faith, and to direct the people of God until the appearing of Christ.
The canon shows that God always intended His people to be governed by His written Word. Through it, believers hear the voice of the Shepherd, recognize the truth of the Gospel, and hold fast to the hope of the last days.
Bible Verses on the Canon of Scripture
Deuteronomy 31:26 — “Take this Book of the Law and put it by the side of the ark of the covenant of the Lord your God, that it may be there for a witness against you.”
Joshua 1:8 — “This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night.”
Psalm 19:7 — “The law of the Lord is perfect, reviving the soul.”
Isaiah 40:8 — “The grass withers, the flower fades, but the word of our God will stand forever.”
Luke 24:44 — “Everything written about me in the Law of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms must be fulfilled.”
John 10:35 — “Scripture cannot be broken.”
2 Timothy 3:16 — “All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness.”
Hebrews 4:12 — “The word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword.”
2 Peter 1:19 — “We have the prophetic word more fully confirmed, to which you will do well to pay attention.”
Revelation 22:18–19 — “If anyone adds to them, God will add to him the plagues described in this book, and if anyone takes away, God will take away his share in the tree of life.”
