How Did the Bible Get Canonized?
From Sacred Scrolls to Holy Scripture: Tracing How the Bible Became the Church’s Authoritative Word
Most Christians hold the Bible as the inspired, authoritative Word of God. But have you ever wondered: how did this collection of 66 books — and no others — come to be recognized as the Bible? Who decided which writings were inspired and which weren’t? Was the canon of Scripture handed down from heaven — or formed through human debate?
Understanding the canonization of the Bible is not just about ancient history. It’s a question that goes to the heart of our confidence in God’s Word today. If the Bible is our guide for truth, salvation, and godly living, then we must know why these books were included — and whether we can trust that decision.
📜 The Story of the Canon: How the Bible Took Shape
The word canon comes from the Greek word kanōn, meaning “rule” or “measuring stick.” When we talk about the biblical canon, we mean the recognized collection of books that are divinely inspired and authoritative for faith and practice.
The canonization process didn’t happen overnight. It unfolded gradually — not by invention, but by recognition. The early church did not “create” the canon; rather, it recognized the writings that bore the marks of divine inspiration.
Let’s trace this sacred story in two parts: the Old Testament and the New Testament.
📚 I. The Canon of the Old Testament
A. The Hebrew Scriptures Were Already Forming Before Christ
By the time of Jesus, the Jewish people already had a defined collection of sacred texts. This collection, known today as the Tanakh, is what Christians refer to as the Old Testament.
The Tanakh consists of:
- Torah – the Law (Genesis to Deuteronomy)
- Nevi’im – the Prophets (e.g., Joshua, Isaiah, Jeremiah)
- Ketuvim – the Writings (e.g., Psalms, Proverbs, Daniel)
This threefold division was recognized by Jesus Himself in Luke 24:44:
“Everything must be fulfilled that is written about me in the Law of Moses, the Prophets and the Psalms.”
By the 1st century A.D., most Jews accepted these books as authoritative. Though some debate lingered about a few (like Esther or Ecclesiastes), the core of the Old Testament was settled.
B. The Septuagint: Greek Translation and Expansion
Around 200–100 B.C., Jewish scholars in Alexandria translated the Hebrew Scriptures into Greek — a version known as the Septuagint (LXX). This version included several additional books (known today as the Apocrypha or Deuterocanonical books), such as:
- Tobit
- Judith
- 1 and 2 Maccabees
- Wisdom of Solomon
- Sirach (Ecclesiasticus)
- Baruch
These were read by Greek-speaking Jews and later adopted in part by early Christians, especially in the Eastern church.
But most Jews did not regard these as Scripture, and after the destruction of the Temple in A.D. 70, Jewish leaders reaffirmed the Hebrew canon, excluding the apocryphal writings.
📖 II. The Canon of the New Testament
A. The Writings of the Apostles: Circulated and Revered
Jesus didn’t leave behind written texts. But His apostles and followers did.
From the mid-1st century onward, letters and gospels began to circulate among early churches:
- Paul’s epistles (Romans, Corinthians, Galatians, etc.)
- The four Gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke, John)
- General epistles (1 Peter, James, Hebrews)
- Revelation
These writings were recognized as inspired because:
- They were written by apostles or close associates (apostolic origin)
- They were consistent with known apostolic teaching (orthodox content)
- They were widely used in churches (universal acceptance)
By the end of the 1st century, most of the New Testament was already written and used, though not yet in a formal list.
B. Rising Heresies and the Need for Definition
The canon began to crystallize in response to false teachings and rival writings.
One major threat was Marcion (c. A.D. 140), who rejected the Old Testament and accepted only parts of Luke and Paul’s letters. This forced the church to define what truly belonged to the faith.
Other writings, like the Gospel of Thomas or Shepherd of Hermas, were read by some but lacked apostolic authority or contained doctrinal errors.
C. Early Lists and Church Councils
Here’s how the New Testament canon became formalized:
- Muratorian Fragment (c. A.D. 170) – The earliest known list of canonical books, closely matching today’s NT.
- Irenaeus of Lyons (c. 180) – Strongly affirmed the four Gospels.
- Origen (c. 250) – Listed disputed and accepted books.
- Athanasius (A.D. 367) – His Easter letter gave the first list matching the 27-book New Testament.
- Councils of Hippo (393) and Carthage (397) – Affirmed the same 27 books.
Importantly, these councils didn’t create the canon — they confirmed the books already recognized by the faithful.
🧭 Spiritual & Doctrinal Discernment
📌 Why These Books?
The early church used clear criteria for recognizing Scripture:
- Apostolic Origin – Written by an apostle or close associate.
- Orthodox Teaching – In harmony with known truth.
- Universal Usage – Accepted and read widely in churches.
- Spiritual Power – Demonstrated divine life and edification.
These weren’t arbitrary. The early church wasn’t chasing fads. They were discerning the voice of the Shepherd (John 10:27) among the writings.
📌 What About the Apocrypha?
The Protestant Reformers (16th century) rejected the apocryphal books as Scripture because:
- Jesus and the apostles never quoted them as Scripture.
- The Hebrew Bible didn’t include them.
- They contained teachings inconsistent with the gospel (e.g., prayers for the dead in 2 Maccabees).
However, Roman Catholics include them, based on the Latin Vulgate and Council of Trent (1546). Eastern Orthodox churches also accept many of them.
This reflects deeper theological and ecclesial differences — especially on the nature of tradition and authority.
🔄 Lasting Impact: How Canonization Shaped the Church
The canon of Scripture gave the church a solid foundation for doctrine, worship, and witness.
Without it, we would be vulnerable to:
- Heresy and false gospels
- Confusion over God’s message
- Competing revelations and sectarianism
Because of the canon, the Church could say with confidence:
“Thus says the Lord.”
It preserved the message of salvation by grace through faith, the testimony of Christ’s resurrection, and the apostolic instruction for godly living.
Even today, the unity and integrity of the Bible serve as a bulwark against relativism and theological drift.
🪞 What Should We Learn or Repent Of?
- Treasure the Scriptures – We must not take the Bible for granted. It came through centuries of providence and discernment. Are we reading it faithfully?
- Guard Against Additions – Some today seek “new revelations” or add traditions on par with Scripture. We must remember: God’s Word is sufficient.
- Watch for Subtractions – Others reject or “reinterpret” parts of the Bible to suit modern sensibilities. We must not silence what God has spoken.
- Be Rooted, Not Rudderless – In a world of shifting voices, the canon anchors us. Let’s be people of the Book — not opinions, trends, or feelings.
📣 Why This Still Matters: Walking Forward in Truth
The canon of Scripture was not crafted by political power or church manipulation. It was recognized through reverent discernment, guided by the Holy Spirit, and preserved by God’s providence.
Today, many question whether we can trust the Bible — or whether it’s just one book among many. But history and faith affirm: God gave His Word, and His sheep hear His voice.
Let us respond with:
- Confidence in the Bible’s authority
- Humility toward the church’s history
- Discernment in what we teach and believe
- Obedience to what is written
The canon is closed — but the call to live by it remains open. Will we listen?
“The grass withers, the flower fades, but the Word of our God will stand forever.” — Isaiah 40:8