What Is the Earliest Complete List of the Canon of the New Testament?
In the study of the New Testament canon, scholars like to highlight the first time we see a complete list of 27 books. Inevitably, the list contained in Athanasius’ famous Festal Letter (c.367) is mentioned as the first time this happened.
As a result, it is often claimed that the New Testament was a late phenomenon. We didn’t have a New Testament, according to Athanasius, until the end of the fourth century.
But, this sort of reasoning is problematic on a number of levels. First, we don’t measure the existence of the New Testament just by the existence of lists. When we examine the way certain books were used by
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Headed to San Diego for the Annual Meeting of the Evangelical Theological Society
This week I’m headed to San Diego for the annual meetings of the Evangelical Theological Society (ETS)—the largest gathering of evangelical scholars in the world. In addition to the normal meals, coffees, and meeting with old friends, here’s a little preview of what I will be up to.
1. RTS Faculty Dinner. Every year, all of the Reformed Theological Seminary faculty attending ETS gather for a faculty dinner. Normally I have to miss the faculty dinner because I have been attending the ETS banquet for the last seven years as a member of the executive committee. But this year I will finally be able to join my colleagues again
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What is the Importance of Apostolicity for the Formation of the Canon?
As I indicated in a prior post, I am starting a new 10-part video series on big questions related to the faith, and particularly the origins and reliability of the New Testament.
So, here’s the next installment in the series: “What is the Importance of Apostolicity for the Formation of the Canon?”… Continue reading...
How Did the New Testament Canon Come to Be?
As I indicated in a prior post, I am starting a new 10-part video series on big questions related to the faith, and particularly the origins and reliability of the New Testament.
So, here’s the next installment in the series: “How Did the New Testament Canon Come to Be?”… Continue reading...
Have a Child About to Head to College?
Now that it’s officially August, the “back to school” conversations have begun. For many parents, however, it is not back to school for their kids, but “away” to school. Some parents are sending kids to college—perhaps for the first time.
My family has been in exactly that position. We have one child who is now out of college, one still in college, and one about to go to college. And I know what parents are feeling. They are wondering how their child will survive the intellectual and spiritual challenges of university life.
Indeed, I can still vividly remember my own college experience as a believer on campus. In the fall … Continue reading...