Who chose which books went into the Bible? This question has intrigued scholars, theologians, and laypeople for centuries. The process of determining the contents of the Bible, known as canonization, was not a straightforward or uniform procedure. It involved various communities, languages, and historical contexts, leading to different canons being recognized by different Christian denominations.
The Bible, as we know it today, is primarily divided into two main sections: the Old Testament and the New Testament. The Old Testament is the collection of sacred texts that Christians share with Jews, while the New Testament is unique to Christianity. The process of selecting these books was gradual and varied among different Christian groups.
In the early stages of Christianity, there was no definitive list of books considered sacred. The New Testament, in particular, was not compiled until the fourth century. The process of determining which books were canonical began with the apostolic writings, such as the letters of Paul and the Gospels. These were accepted by many early Christian communities as authoritative.
The Council of Carthage in 397 is often considered a significant milestone in the development of the Old Testament canon. This council, convened by the Roman Emperor Theodosius I, recognized the 39 books of the Old Testament that would later become the basis for the Catholic and Orthodox canons. However, the Council of Trent in 1546 further defined the Catholic canon, adding seven books that were already included in the Septuagint, a Greek translation of the Old Testament used by the early church.
The process of selecting the New Testament books was more complex. Early Christian writers, such as Irenaeus and Tertullian, identified certain books as authoritative, but it was not until the Council of Hippo in 393 that a more comprehensive list of New Testament books was established. The Council of Carthage in 397 further confirmed this list, which included the four Gospels, the letters of Paul, and other apostolic writings.
The development of the Bible’s canon was not without controversy. Some books, such as the Epistle of Barnabas and the Shepherd of Hermas, were widely accepted by early Christians but were eventually excluded from the canonical list. Other books, like the Gospel of Thomas and the Gospel of Peter, were considered controversial and were not included in the final canon.
The variations in the Bible’s canon among different Christian denominations reflect the diverse historical and cultural contexts in which they emerged. For example, the Protestant canon, which excludes the Apocrypha, is a result of the Reformation’s emphasis on the authority of the Bible and the belief that only the New Testament writings were inspired by God.
In conclusion, the question of who chose which books went into the Bible is a complex one. The process of canonization was gradual, involving various councils and theological debates. The resulting canons, while sharing many books, also reflect the unique beliefs and traditions of different Christian communities. Understanding the history of the Bible’s canonization helps us appreciate the diversity and richness of Christian literature.
