The Sean McDowell Show The Real Story Behind the Protestant Bible
14 snips
Nov 14, 2025 
In this intriguing discussion, Dr. Michael J. Kruger, a New Testament scholar and author of The Question of Canon, delves into the early recognition of the biblical canon. He reveals that defining the canon is crucial for Christians and explains how both covenant theology and heretical challenges, like those from Marcion, influenced its formation. Kruger clarifies that the church recognized apostolic books, emphasizing the significant criteria of apostolicity. He also addresses why some texts, despite their value, were excluded from the canon, providing valuable insights into the historical context of scripture.
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What 'Canon' Actually Means
- The canon means the assembled collection of books regarded as Scripture, not a single authored book.
- Christians treated the Bible as an anthology unified by divine inspiration rather than a human compilation.
Covenant And Apostles Imply A New Testament
- Early Christians expected a new covenant to produce written documents like the Old Testament did.
- Apostles were seen as authorized spokespeople whose writings naturally carried authoritative status.
Let Challenges Clarify Not Create Canon
- Use heresies and challenges as catalysts to clarify beliefs and solidify authoritative texts.
- Treat extrinsic pressures like Marcion as accelerants, not creators, of canonical recognition.
