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Theology for the Church

The Biblical Canon with Peter Gurry

Jan 13, 2025
Peter Gurry, Professor of New Testament at Phoenix Seminary and director of the Text & Canon Institute, dives into the fascinating history of the Bible's canon. He tackles common misconceptions about how the Bible was formed and discusses the significant role of canonicity in interpreting scripture. Gurry explains the differences between Protestant and Catholic Bibles, the historical importance of the Septuagint, and the criteria early Christians used to determine canon status. He emphasizes the communal nature of establishing scriptural authority, encouraging deeper engagement with the Bible.
58:57

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Quick takeaways

  • Understanding the doctrine of canonicity is essential for evaluating the authority and inspiration of biblical texts in Christianity.
  • The historical formation of the New Testament canon was primarily based on the apostolic connection of texts, ensuring their authoritative nature.

Deep dives

Understanding Canonicity

The term 'canon' originates from the Greek word meaning 'measuring rod,' which denotes a set of texts that are authoritative for Christians. In discussing canonicity, the focus is on identifying which ancient texts hold that authority within the Bible. This matters deeply to the faith because questions about the qualities of scripture, such as inspiration and authority, can only apply to texts designated as canonical. Therefore, understanding the doctrine of canonicity is foundational, as it establishes the basis upon which other attributes of scripture can be evaluated.

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