The Cannon of Scripture

“Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation.For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.” (2 Peter 1:20–21 KJV)

One of the earliest lessons that my wife and I have taught our daughters is that are sixty-six books in the Bible, thirty-nine in the Old Testament and twenty-seven in the New Testament. Why do we contest that there are only sixty-six books in the Bible? Why do some translations of the Bible contain more that sixty-six books? Can we be certain that the books we have in the Bible is all that belongs in the Bible? Has God inspired any books other than the Bible? Let’s attempt to answer some of these questions by looking at the Cannon of Scripture.

When we mention the word “Scriptures” to what are we referring? The word “Scriptures” (as used for this study) is referring to the thirty-nine books of the Old Testament (Genesis-Malachi) and the twenty-seven books of the New Testament (Matthew-Revelation). The Scriptures are the books that have been delivered to mankind, from the mind of God to the inspired writers. The Bible explains that all Scripture is given by the inspiration of God (literally it is the “breathed out Word of God”) and is given to us for instruction. “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 perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.” (2 Timothy 3:16–17 KJV). When Moses wrote the first five books of the Bible, he did not write according to what he thought the children of Israel needed to know, but rather he wrote as he was inspired by God. When the prophets of the Old Testament proclaimed their words to the people, they were not proclaiming something that originated in their minds but were delivering a direct message from God. Likewise, the writers of the New Testament wrote as God inspired them and they wrote as they were “moved by the Holy Ghost” (2 Peter 1:21). The completed Word of God is the very words of God, delivered to man, for the purpose of instruction, and will be the final authority on the Day of Judgment. “He that rejecteth me, and receiveth not my words, hath one that judgeth him: the word that I have spoken, the same shall judge him in the last day.” (John 12:48 KJV)

Understanding that the Scriptures are the very words of God, given to us for instruction, will help us as we try to identify which books belong in the Cannon. What does this word “cannon” mean? The word “cannon” comes from the Hebrew word “qaneh” which originally meant “reed.” Reeds were used as measuring instruments, therefore the meaning of “qaneh” eventually changed into “rule” or “measure.” To refer to the Cannon of Scripture is to refer to the books that have divinely inspired and preserved for a purpose. The Cannon of Scripture is the library of inspired writings given to man from God.

The Old Testament Cannon are those books that were delivered, beginning with Genesis and ending in Malachi. These books contain the five books of the Law (Pentateuch), the books of history (Joshua-Esther), the books of Wisdom Literature (Job-Song of Solomon), and the Prophets (Isaiah-Malachi). These writings have been accepted by the Hebrew Bible (although there is a difference in the titles of some of the books as some books are combined based upon Jewish tradition) as cannon or “accepted Scriptures.” Further evidence of the accepted cannon of the Old Testament can be found in Luke 24:44, as Jesus mentions the Law, the Prophets, and the Psalms. “And he said unto them, These are the words which I spake unto you, while I was yet with you, that all things must be fulfilled, which were written in the law of Moses, and in the prophets, and in the psalms, concerning me” (Luke 24:44 KJV). Further evidence of the Old Testament cannon can be found in the writing of Jewish Historian Flavius Josephus, who wrote of the books which contain the records of all past times, which are justly believed to be divine, and mentions these writings were written between Moses and King Artaxerxes (king during the release of the Israelites from Babylonian captivity, and the ending of inspiration of the Old Testament).

In between the Testaments, from Malachi to Matthew, there was a period of silence. This was a time when God did not give any inspired writings. This is the time frame for the books known as the Apocrypha. These books contain fanciful tales that are falsely attributed to Old Testament times. Within these books there are contradictions to teachings found within the Cannon, and express religious fancy and magic from the period known as the Intertestament Period (the time between the testaments).

The New Testament cannon begins with the time that God spoke to man again which began with the angel of God speaking to Zacharias (Luke 1:11ff.). These books contain the four accounts of the Life of Jesus (the Gospels), the history of the church (Acts), the epistles (Romans-Jude), and the book of Revelation. These books were also delivered from God to man for the purpose of instruction. The books of the New Testament were delivered to the original readers and dispersed among the churches and accepted as being from God. Peter refers to the writings of Paul as “Scriptures” (2 Peter 3:15-16). Men accepted these writings as being a part of the cannon as early as the first decade of the second century (not many years after the completion of Scripture). One thing that must be stated about the cannon of Scripture is this, man does not determine the cannon, God has done that for us.

God has inspired men through the ages to deliver this wonderful library to us so we may study it, apply it to our lives, and obey it. Not all writings are inspired, and those that are not do not belong in the Cannon of Scripture, but those that are in the Cannon of Scripture are the inspired words of God. May we always cherish that which we have been given.