The Formation of the Biblical Canon (2 vols.)
Digital Logos Edition
Overview
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.
Key Features
- Considers each text from historical, social, and political contexts
- Examines the evolution of biblical canon through history
- Includes comprehensive appendices highlighting various canon lists
Top Highlights
“The Hebrew noun, kānéh (קנה), means ‘reed’ or ‘measuring reed’ (cf. Ezek 40:3 and 42:15–20). It was the measurement for many things, including the length of a robe. The noun was subsequently expanded to denote the rule by which we could discern the list of books that are sacred because they contain God’s WORD; kānéh evolved to mean a ‘canon.’ Greek kanōn (κανών; Latin canna) and English ‘canon’ are transliterations of the Hebrew; they are not translations of the Hebrew noun. They eventually evolved to denote the ‘sacred writings’ in a collection.” (Volume 1, Page xiv)
“the Ethiopian Christians have the largest Christian Bible containing some 81 books.” (Volume 1, Page 4)
“Some Jews during Jesus’ time, and during other periods, may be judged to have lowered Torah into legality; but that is misleading to faithful Jews from Hillel’s time to the present. Torah is the revelation of God’s Will. We all rejoice at knowing God’s will, and God’s love, for us.” (Volume 1, Page xiv)
“The term initially referred to a collection of scrolls made of parchment or papyrus that were often sewn together to form a small library of related texts or documents. ‘Bible’ eventually was the term that came to refer to the collection of sacred books that comprise Jewish and Christian Scriptures. In the late fourth century, Jerome referred to the Christian Scriptures as a bibliotheca, that is, a ‘library.’” (Volume 1, Page 3)
“There is nothing specific in the above original text of Jubilees about a twenty-two-book biblical canon, but in a late fourth- or fifth-century quotation of Jubilees, Epiphanius of Salamis, On Weights and Measures (ca. 315–403 CE), cites this book and refers to a twenty-two-book collection of Jewish Scriptures along with several other important twenty-two number groupings in the Jewish traditions.” (Volume 1, Page 357)
Praise for the Print Edition
Lee McDonald’s work on the canon is the culmination of a lifetime’s work. It is simply the most comprehensive and thorough treatment of the subject available. It should be a basic reference work.
—John J. Collins, Yale University
The question of canon is both interesting and crucial. What was the process that led to the recognition of the sacred collection of Scripture as we now know it? Lee McDonald has devoted much of his distinguished career to the question of the canon of the Old and the New testaments. In The Formation of the Biblical Canon McDonald shares his considerable knowledge as he presents the evidence that we have from antiquity and then carefully assesses its significance. It goes without saying that his work is must-reading for anyone who is interested in the question of canon.
—Tremper Longman III, Westmont College
Reviews
1 rating
Alessandro
8/28/2021
