The Origins of Canonization
The Bible, divided into two main parts, is comprised of the Old Testament, written before Jesus’ birth, and the New Testament, which chronicled the life of Jesus of Nazareth and reported his teachings. The canonization of the Bible is the definitive process by which books in it were decided upon and accepted by the church and deemed as authoritative by its members. This process of discerning what was divinely inspired by God and which books were to be included within the Bible has been a contested area for many centuries.
One of the earliest factors that led to the selection of which books belonged in the Bible was the historical geophysical context. The earliest books were restricted to those that were written by Jews in Roman occupied Middle East, as the belief at the time was that only books written in that part of the world were inspired by God. Later, books written by indigenous authors and those of other countries began to be included in the Bible, such as the Gospel of Luke and the Book of Revelation.
The canonization process was long and did not necessarily lead to immediate uniformity. Different branches of Christianity disagreed about which books had authoritative status. Nonetheless, there were certain authors that were included in various versions of the Bible, such as the 14 books of the Pauline Letters, by the Apostle Paul and the books by the Apostle Peter. It was largely due to these clear and consistent influences that marginalised the accreditation of other books, such as works by Gnostics.
The majority of the selection process of the books within the Bible is thought by scholars to have occurred in synods, church councils and conferences. The earliest such instance of a council meeting that discussed the status of the books in the Bible happened in Hippo in North Africa in 393AD. The council at Hippo was not definitive, but it did affirm 36 books of the Old Testament and 27 of the New Testament. Two other councils in the following centuries, one in Carthage in 397AD and one at Trent in 1562, reaffirmed the Hippo decisions.
Throughout the centuries, several attempts were made to fully ascertain the status of all the books included in the Bible. This had led to significant divisions between different branches of Christianity: Catholics and Protestants disagreed over certain books of the Old Testament, such as the Book of Maccabees. It took councils such as the Council of Trent in 1562 for the Catholic Church to finally accept officially all the books of the Old Testament.
Councils and Conferences: Further Debate
The Council of Trent was far from being the last word in this ongoing discussion of what should be included in the canon. In the beginning of the 17th century, the Westminster Confession was published and acknowledged by Anglicans and Calvinists alike, which featured 80 books of the Old and New Testaments. They declared that the Book of Revelation was the last book of the canon.
Due to the importance of such statements and specifics, canonization became a topic of conversation and debate that lasted over centuries. While councils and conferences provided more clarity, scholars and theologians are still trying to fully comprehend and analyse the canonization process and answer the question of which books truly belong in the Bible.
The inclusion of an apocryphal book in the Bible would be considered a serious matter today. Therefore the selection process is taken very seriously by both theologians and academics, who like to further delve in the matter. To avoid being wrongfully accused of sloppiness, most instances of canonization feature long and thorough discussions about the status of books that are to be declared as divinely inspired, as well as debates on which books shall be included in the Bible and which books should not.
It’s important to remember that the canonization of much of the Bible was done centuries ago, through complex debates and processes. Therefore it’s not surprising that there is still debate over what books belong in the Bible and which books should be excluded.
Modern Relevance and Interpretations
Although the canonization of the Bible is generally no longer a contentious issue in most branches of Christianity, it is an ongoing discussion and debate in some contexts. Furthermore, non-Christian faith traditions, such as Judaism and Islam, also have their own canon and canonization processes. The advancements of mankind and technology have only complicated the matter further and shifted how certain aspects of the Bible are interpreted or translated.
The Internet, with the access and ease of sharing materials, has broadened people’s understanding of the Bible and lessened the need for an official canon. Still, there are variations of translations and interpretations regarding scriptural content. In some ways, this diversity of interpretation is an example of the same events that happened centuries ago when the canon was first created and established. Today, decisions are given much more consideration and are no longer made by one single authority figure within the church.
Ultimately, the process of canonization was seen as a historical endeavour up until the reformation. It was the church’s response to awkward comments and explanations in scripture between the Old and New Testaments. As such, the debate has dwindled in recent times, where more active discussion is considered unnecessary and overly restrictive.
Modernisation and Technological Advancement
In recent times, the modernisation of the Bible, via the use of technology, has changed the way the book is read. For example, bibles are now available to be read online, on mobile phones and e-readers, as well as in audiobook and video form. These advancements make the Bible much more accessible than it was in the past, and could bring some of its teachings to a wider audience.
The use of technology has also changed the way the Bible is studied. Programs such as Bible software have been developed to help readers understand its content easier and faster. Moreover, the use of technology has also allowed people to be able to cross-check certain verses across multiple translations and editions, as well as to highlight important passages or words.
The proliferation of digital versions of the Bible, including audio and video, has changed how scripture is read and understood. It is no longer necessary to read the Bible from beginning to end, as it is now easier to search for specific verses or topics. Also, these digital versions of the Bible can be used in multiple languages, bringing the scriptures to new audiences.
The digitisation of the Bible has also allowed for the development of interactive tools that were impossible with the print Bible. For example, there are apps that offer in-depth commentary, verse comparison and word-study tools. Additionally, there are future plans to create 3D versions of the Bible, which would provide readers with more contextual visualisations of biblical events.
The Canonisation Process: Final Thoughts
The canonization process of the Bible has been discussed since the early centuries of Christianity. While many questions have not been definitively answered, those that have been discussed, debated and decided upon have been accepted and widely understood.
Modern advancements in technology and digital tools have only furthered the accessibility and understanding of the Bible and for that, it is important to remember where it has come from. It is a matter of historical importance, as it was and still is, the foremost way by which the Christian doctrine is taught and followed.
It is worth noting, however, that due to the various councils and interpretations, there are still multiple versions of the Bible available. It is important to compare and contrast varied versions, in order to gain a better understanding of which books are, in truth, the most divinely inspired.
The Validity of Sources
Today, more than ever before, it is imperative to be able to differentiate between a reliable and unreliable source. In terms of the Bible, one of the best ways to assess the validity of a source is to look at who has endorsed it. Those endorsed by the church are more likely to be the more trustworthy and reliable sources.
It is also important to take into account the time period that the source was published in. Sources published by the Catholic Church in the past will have different interpretations to those found today. For example, the Councils of Trent and Hippo would have vastly different opinions with modern scholars. As a result, it is important to acknowledge how certain interpretations of scripture have changed over time.
It is also important to take into account the context in which the source was published, such as whether the source is coming from an evangelical, catholic or protestant standpoint. This offers further insight into the reliability and accuracy of the source, as well as how it is viewed by the wider Christian community.
It is also worth looking at the way the source has been used or referred to by other theologians and scholars. If it has been referenced in a reputable publication, or quoted by a prominent theologian, then it is a good indication that it is reliable. However, it is important to note that not all sources will have been referred to by other theologians, due to the complexity and personal nature of interpreting the Bible.
The Two-Way Interaction of Canonisation
It is important to remember that the process of canonisation is not only a matter of selection, but also of exclusion. By removing specific books or passages from the Bible, the church is taking away certain interpretations and understandings.
Sometimes, the church will omit certain passages or books due to the discomfort held by certain parts of the population. This can be seen as a form of censorship and a way to impose certain beliefs and values on the wider public. The Catholic Church has often been criticised for this in modern times, however, it is not exclusive to one religious denomination or one area of the world.
The canonisation process is, in a sense, a two-way interaction. The church is telling its followers which books, passages, and beliefs are valid, while also limiting and removing interpretations and ideas that it believes will cause conflict, confusion, or moral objections.
It is also important to remember that the process of canonisation takes into account different ways of interpreting the Bible and understanding God’s word. To fully appreciate the canonisation process, it is important to understand that the church is trying to accommodate various worldviews and cultural perspectives, while also preserving its own sense of identity and beliefs.
Importance and Relevancy of Canonisation
The lasting importance of the Canonisation process is difficult to overstate. It is a mark of religious and cultural progress, which reshapes the way the Bible is interpreted and understood, while also creating a sense of identity and belonging within the Church.
The process of canonisation might be controversial at times, but it is an area of ongoing discussion and debate and has been since the early years of Christianity. In it rests the responsibility and authority of the Church, to select which books are to be deemed divinely inspired and included in the Bible. It is an area that is still relevant and important in modern society, and it will undoubtedly continue to be so for the foreseeable future.
