The formation of the biblical canon
Lee Martin McDonald (Author)
"Lee Martin McDonald provides a magisterial overview of the development of the biblical canon -- the emergence of the list of individual texts that constitutes the Christian bible. In these two volumes -- in sum more than double the length of his previous works on this subject -- McDonald presents his most in-depth overview to date. McDonald shows students and researchers how the list of texts that constitute 'the bible' was once far more fluid than it is today and guides readers through the minefield of different texts, different versions, and the different lists of texts considered 'canonical' that abounded in antiquity. Questions of the origin and transmission of texts are introduced as well as consideration of innovations in the presentation of texts, collections of documents, archaeological finds and Church councils. In the first volume McDonald reexamines issues of canon formation once considered settled, and sets the range of texts that make up the Hebrew Bible (or Old Testament) in their broader context. Each individual text is discussed, as are the cultural, political and historical situations surrounding them. The second volume considers the New Testament, and the range of so-called 'apocryphal' gospels that were written in early centuries, and used by many Christian groups before the canon was closed. Comprehensive appendices showing various canon lists for both Old and New Testaments and for the bible as as a whole are also included" -- Provided by publisher
Print Book, English, 2018
[Fourth edition] View all formats and editions
Bloomsbury T&T Clark, London, 2018
History
2 volumes ; 25 cm
9780567669339, 9780567668769, 9780567668844, 0567669335, 0567668762, 0567668843
960090539
Vol. 1. Canon: the measuring rule for discerning God's word
Part 1. Introductions and definitions. Introduction
The notation and use of scripture
The notion, use, and adaptability of canon
Part 2. Formation of the Hebrew Bible and the Old Testament canon. The Hebrew scriptures
The law, the prophets, and the cessation of prophecy
Greek influence and the formation of the Hebrew Bible
Scripture among Essenes, Sadducees, Pharisees, and Samaritans
Emerging Jewish and Christian collections of scriptures
The scriptures of Jesus and early Christianity
Texts reflecting an emerging biblical canon
Scripture in the rabbinic tradition (90-550 CE)
Ancient artifacts and the stabilization of the Jewish scriptures
The formation of the Hebrew Bible and Old Testament : a summary
Vol. 2. Part 3. The formation of the New Testament canon. From story to scripture : the emergence of the New Testament writings as scripture
New Testament writings as scripture
From scripture to canon : tracing the origins
Authorities in early Christianity : tradition, scripture, and the Spirit
The influence of heresy on the formation of the Bible
The literary artifacts of antiquity and canonization
Codices, Nomina Sacra, catalogues, and citations
Collections, councils, and canon formation
The criteria question
Final reflections
"Foreword to the Fourth Edition"--Page xiii
Revised and expanded edition of: The biblical canon : its origin, transmission, and authority. Hendrickson Publishers, 2006
First edition published as The formation of the Christian biblical canon, 1988