A New Academic Volume on the Origins of the New Testament Canon
It goes without saying that not all academic sub-disciplines (especially in the field of biblical studies) generate the same level of scholarly interest. Some fields are more active; others less so. And it can change from generation to generation.
When I was doing my work with Larry Hurtado years ago at the University of Edinburgh, I always wondered if my sub-discipline of New Testament canon (and sub-sub-disciplines of NT text and apocryphal writings) would continue to generate academic discussion and interest in the years ahead.
Looking back, I can say that I am grateful that field of New Testament canon (and text) has continued to produce a lot of academic … Continue reading...
Returning to My First Love: My Exciting New Role at RTS
The other day I was telling my kids about how, many years ago, I used to sit in a pub named the Jolly Judge on cold winter days in Edinburgh, Scotland, tucked up close to a coal-burning fire and talking with my doctoral advisor Larry Hurtado about ancient Christian manuscripts.
We used to spend hours there, just reflecting upon the nature of early Christian texts, the role of the codex and nomina sacra, and how books were read and transmitted in the ancient Roman world.
Even as I told the story, I was reminded of how fortunate I was to study at a place like Edinburgh and with a scholar … Continue reading...
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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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...