Canon Formation of Christian Scriptures

• Jesus did not write anything down, nor did he command his disciples to write anything
• First writings of Christian churches are from hands of Paul of Tarsus

Evidence of canonization: Church fathers and theologians

• Quotations or paraphrases (not always easily identified) of Jesus' words / gospels by church fathers of first and second century:
• Show that words of Jesus /gospels were considered authoritative
• Quotations also might be indications as to what scripture was considered authoritative / i.e.: considered sacred, canonical scripture.
• First three (synoptic) gospels are "quoted" by early church fathers; gospel of John first known to have been quoted by Basilides (c.130 CE)
• Lists of early church fathers / theologians
• Marcion, theologian of mid- second century, suggests canon of Gospel of Luke and 10 epistles of Paul - rejection of Hebrew Scriptures and "cleaning up" of Gospel in accord with his theology (distinction b/w God of OT and NT).
• Lists of canon of third and fourth century still in flux; different church fathers divide canon into groups of uncontested and contested books: Revelations, James, Jude, 2 Peter often included in contested group; Revelations up to today not included in Greek Orthodox official lectionary.
• Shepard of Hermas, Gospel of Peter and Diatessaron (four canonical gospels combined into one narrative) often mentioned as canonical.
• By end of fourth century, gradually growing agreement among different Christian denominations on 27 books to be included in Christian scriptures
• Some Christian denominations accept canon of 27 books only by 6^th century (f. i.: Syriac Monophysites at about 508 CE)
• Some Christian denominations still disagree on canon (f.i.: Nestorians have canon of 22 books).
• Jerome's translation of Bible into Latin (Vulgate) includes 27 books; aids in process of canonization, at least for Western churches. .
• Martin Luther accepts the 27 books as canonical, but accords inferior status to James, Jude, Hebrews, and Revelations.

Manuscript evidence:

• Codex Sinaiticus (4^th century) includes Epistle of Barnabas and Shepard of Hermas in addition to 27 books.
• Codex Alexandrinus (5^th century) adds 1 and 2 Clement to 27 books
• Codex Claromontanus (6^th century) drops four canonical letters, adds other writings.