Truth Unites No, Jerome Didn't Accept a Larger Canon
Feb 26, 2025
Dive into the complexities of Jerome's views on the biblical canon and deuterocanonical books. Gavin Ortlund tackles popular misconceptions and contrasts them with scholarly perspectives. Discover the critical distinctions between scripture and canon, and how historical interpretations have shaped these concepts. The discussion also touches on the importance of church history and the need for expert insights, offering listeners a fresh lens on these foundational theological issues.
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Jerome's Canon Views
- Some scholars argue Jerome changed his mind on the canon twice, first rejecting, then accepting certain books.
- This view, however, lacks widespread scholarly support and contradicts common interpretations.
Two-Tier Canon System
- Many early Christians used a two-tiered canon system, citing some books as scripture without including them in the official canon lists.
- This explains why figures like Jerome cited deuterocanonical books while seemingly rejecting them.
Flip-Flopping Fathers
- If Jerome changed his mind, then other figures like Athanasius and Cyril must have also flip-flopped, which lacks evidence.
- They all cited deuterocanonical books as scripture while excluding them from their canon lists.