Quote:
Originally Posted by pelathais
There are no historical records that the apostles of the First Century ever had a NT canon. They were certainly aware of the writings that were circulating ( 2 Peter 3:15-16). One curious note is that the NT writers themselves used "non-canonical" books from the OT time period and quoted them in the exact manner that they quoted other Scripture.
But, given the disputes that arose as early as the end of the First Century, it is clear that the Apostles themselves had not prepared anything like a list of writings that were to be considered "Scripture." None of the combatants in this issue even claims that such a list existed.
The earliest "list" of a canon of the NT was made by a "heretic" - Marcion of Sinope (A.D. 85-160). His attempt at "rewriting" NT theology was then answered by a flurry of others who proposed the more orthodox canons.
It seems that this "heretic" was the impetus behind the whole notion of a NT canon and was the catalyst of the various canons. What's interesting is that no "Ecumenical" Church council had "fixed" a NT canon until the Council of Trent (1545-1563).
http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/03274a.htm
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Develop...estament_canon |
I guess my real question is who established the canon and when? Was it 1st century christians or the roman church?