How the books of the Bible were chosen?

The Bible is a collection of sacred books that Christians believe were written by men inspired by God. But how did these specific books get into the Bible, and why were others left out? This is a question that many people, both believers and skeptics, have asked for centuries. The process by which the books of the Bible were selected is known as canonization. The word “canon” comes from a Greek word meaning “rule” or “standard.” The canon of Scripture is the collection of books that are accepted as the authoritative Word of God.

In this article, we will explore how the books of the Bible were chosen, what criteria were used, who made these decisions, and why some books were excluded. We will look at both the Old and New Testaments and trace how the Bible we have today came to be.

What Is the Canon of Scripture?

The canon of Scripture refers to the list of books that are recognized as divinely inspired and therefore included in the Bible. These books are believed to be the authoritative rule for faith and practice. The Bible is divided into two main parts: the Old Testament and the New Testament. The Old Testament contains 39 books, and the New Testament contains 27, making a total of 66 books in the Protestant Bible.

The term “canon” did not originally refer to the Bible as a whole. It was a word used to refer to a measuring rod or rule. Over time, the word came to mean the standard or list of books considered to be divinely inspired and authoritative.

The Old Testament Canon

The Hebrew Scriptures

The Old Testament is based on the Hebrew Scriptures, also known as the Tanakh. The Hebrew Bible consists of three main sections: the Law (Torah), the Prophets (Nevi’im), and the Writings (Ketuvim). These books were written over a long period, from approximately 1500 B.C. to 400 B.C. The Jewish community recognized these writings as sacred and inspired by God.

The Jewish historian Josephus, writing in the first century A.D., referred to 22 sacred books (which correspond to the 39 books of the Protestant Old Testament, just arranged differently). He stated that these books had been accepted as authoritative and were not to be added to or taken from (Josephus, Against Apion 1.8). This shows that by the time of Jesus, the Old Testament canon was already established.

Jesus Himself referred to the Old Testament Scriptures as authoritative. In Luke 24:44, He said, “These are the words which I spoke to you while I was still with you, that all things must be fulfilled which were written in the Law of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms concerning Me.” This statement confirms that Jesus recognized the three divisions of the Hebrew Scriptures.

Criteria for Canonization of the Old Testament

There were several important criteria used by the Jewish community to recognize a book as inspired:

• Authorship: The book had to be written by a prophet or someone closely associated with a prophet.
• Consistency: The content of the book had to be in agreement with the existing revelation from God.
• Inspiration: The book had to reflect evidence of being divinely inspired.
• Acceptance: The book had to be widely accepted and used by the Jewish community.
• Historical Accuracy: The events recorded had to be historically verifiable and not in contradiction with known facts

By the time of Jesus and the early Church, the Hebrew canon was mostly settled. The Jewish Council of Jamnia, held around A.D. 90, affirmed the already existing Hebrew canon rather than deciding it.

The Apocrypha and the Old Testament

Between the Old and New Testaments, several books were written that are known as the Apocrypha. These books include 1 and 2 Maccabees, Tobit, Judith, and others. They are not part of the Hebrew Bible but were included in the Septuagint (a Greek translation of the Old Testament).

The early Church debated whether to include the Apocryphal books. The Protestant Reformers, including Martin Luther, rejected the Apocrypha as part of Scripture because they were not part of the Hebrew canon and did not meet the tests of inspiration. Today, these books are included in Roman Catholic and Eastern Orthodox Bibles but are excluded from Protestant Bibles.

The New Testament Canon

The Need for a New Testament Canon

As the apostles began to die and false teachings spread, there arose a need to recognize which writings were truly inspired by God. The New Testament books were written between approximately A.D. 45 and A.D. 100. These writings include the Gospels, Acts, the Epistles, and Revelation. From the start, many of these books were accepted as Scripture by the early Church. For example, Peter refers to Paul’s letters as Scripture in 2 Peter 3:15-16:

“And consider that the longsuffering of our Lord is salvation-as also our beloved brother Paul, according to the wisdom given to him, has written to you… as also in all his epistles… which untaught and unstable people twist to their own destruction, as they do also the rest of the Scriptures.”

This indicates that Paul’s writings were already regarded as Scripture alongside the Old Testament.

Criteria for Canonization of the New Testament

The early Church applied several tests to determine whether a book was canonical:

• Apostolic Origin: The book had to be written by an apostle or someone closely connected to an apostle (like Mark to Peter or Luke to Paul).
• Inspiration and Divine Authority: The book had to bear evidence of being inspired by the Holy Spirit.
• Orthodoxy: The book’s teachings had to be consistent with the established apostolic faith.
• Universal Acceptance: The book had to be accepted by a broad range of churches across different regions.
• Liturgical Use: The book had to be used in the regular worship services of the early Church.

The Development of the New Testament Canon

The process of canonization was not quick or decided by one council or individual. It developed gradually over several centuries. However, by the end of the second century, many of the 27 books were already widely recognized.

By A.D. 180, Irenaeus, an early Church leader, recognized the four Gospels and most of Paul’s letters. By A.D. 200, a document called the Muratorian Fragment listed 22 of the 27 New Testament books.

In the fourth century, church leaders met in councils to formally recognize the canon. The Synod of Hippo (A.D. 393) and the Council of Carthage (A.D. 397) affirmed the 27 books of the New Testament as we know them today.

It’s important to note that these councils did not decide which books were Scripture; rather, they recognized the books that were already accepted by most Christians and demonstrated apostolic authority and inspiration.

Why Were Some Books Excluded?

There were many other writings in circulation during the early centuries of the Church, such as the Gospel of Thomas, the Gospel of Peter, and the Shepherd of Hermas. These books were not included in the New Testament for several reasons:

• Lack of Apostolic Origin: They were not written by apostles or close associates.
• Doctrinal Errors: Many contained teachings that contradicted the established faith (e.g., Gnostic ideas).
• Limited Acceptance: They were not widely accepted or used by the early Church.
• Historical Inaccuracy: Some included fictional elements or questionable accounts of Jesus and the apostles.

As Paul warned in Galatians 1:8, “But even if we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel to you than what we have preached to you, let him be accursed.” This shows the seriousness with which the early Church approached the issue of doctrine and truth.

The Role of the Holy Spirit

While historical councils and criteria played a role in recognizing the canon, Christians believe that it was ultimately the work of the Holy Spirit guiding the Church to identify the true Word of God. Jesus promised in John 16:13:

“However, when He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth.”

Therefore, the formation of the canon was not simply a human decision but a divine process guided by God Himself.

Summary of the Canonization Timeline

• 1500-400 B.C. – Old Testament books written.
• 400 B.C. – Last Old Testament book (Malachi).
• A.D. 45-100 – New Testament books written.
• A.D. 90 – Council of Jamnia affirms the Hebrew Scriptures.
• A.D. 180-200 – Early Church leaders quote New Testament books as Scripture.
• A.D. 393 – Synod of Hippo lists 27 New Testament books.
• A.D. 397 – Council of Carthage affirms the same New Testament canon.

Why the Bible We Have Today Is Reliable

The 66 books of the Bible have stood the test of time. They have been preserved, translated into many languages, and remain the foundation of Christian faith. The canon was not selected carelessly or by a small group with personal agendas. Instead, it was recognized by believers over generations, guided by careful criteria and the work of the Holy Spirit.

As Paul wrote in 2 Timothy 3:16-17:

“All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.”

This verse underscores the divine origin and authority of the Bible. The books included in the canon are not just historical texts but the living Word of God.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the books of the Bible were not chosen randomly or created as Scripture by a single person, council, or political authority. Rather, the Old and New Testament books were gradually recognized as inspired because of their prophetic or apostolic origin, doctrinal consistency, divine authority, historical reliability, and widespread acceptance among God’s people. Church councils later affirmed the books that believers had already received and used as Scripture. Christians therefore believe that the Holy Spirit guided this process, preserving the 66 books of the Bible as God’s reliable and authoritative Word for faith and practice.