Liturgy and the Canon: A Deeper Look at Sacred Texts

Jan 20, 2025

Dive into the fascinating world of early Christianity and its sacred texts. Discover how 1 Clement and the Epistle of Barnabas shaped the New Testament canon. Explore the historical context of these influential writings and their revered status among early Christians. Learn about the debates surrounding the inclusion and exclusion of biblical works, and how liturgical practices influenced canon formation. Plus, draw parallels with contemporary ideas of 'canon' using pop culture examples.

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Intro

00:00 • 2min

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Understanding Sacred Texts and Canon Formation

02:25 • 32min

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The Functional Use of Sacred Texts in Community Worship

34:51 • 2min

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Navigating Biblical Canon: Historical Insights

37:03 • 7min

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Scripture and Tradition in Early Christianity

44:25 • 4min

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The Apocalypse of Peter

Jan N. Bremmer

István Czachesz

The Apocalypse of Peter is a non-canonical Christian text that describes the afterlife, particularly the torments of hell. It's a vivid and dramatic depiction of judgment and punishment, influencing later depictions of hell in Christian art and literature. The text is significant for its portrayal of early Christian beliefs about the afterlife and its impact on popular imagination. It's studied for its literary style and its reflection of early Christian eschatology. It's a valuable source for understanding the development of Christian beliefs about judgment and the afterlife.

1 Clement

Theodore A. Bergren

1 Clement, an early Christian text, is a letter attributed to the Roman church addressed to the church in Corinth. It offers insights into the early church's structure, practices, and theological understanding. The letter emphasizes the importance of unity, order, and submission to church leadership. It also addresses issues of conflict and division within the Corinthian church. 1 Clement is valued for its historical significance and its reflection of early Christian beliefs and practices. It is considered a significant example of early Christian literature, though not part of the biblical canon.

Muratorian Fragment

Clare K. Rothschild

The Muratorian Fragment is a late 2nd-century text that provides one of the earliest lists of New Testament books. It lists most of the books we now consider canonical, but it also omits some and mentions others that are not included in the modern canon. The fragment offers valuable insights into the process of canon formation in the early church. It is a significant historical document for understanding the development of the New Testament canon. Its incompleteness, however, leaves some questions unanswered about the early church's views on certain books.

Against Apion

Josephus

Against Apion, written by the first-century Jewish historian Flavius Josephus, is a defense of Judaism against the accusations of Apion, an Alexandrian Greek writer. Josephus refutes Apion's claims about Jewish history and customs, providing valuable insights into Jewish life and beliefs. The work also includes a list of the books considered canonical in the Jewish scriptures. It is a significant historical document for understanding the development of the Jewish canon and the relationship between Judaism and Hellenistic culture. It is a key source for studying the history of the Old Testament canon.

The Shepherd of Hermas is an early Christian text, considered part of the Apostolic Fathers collection. It's structured into three parts: Visions, Mandates, and Similitudes. The text's popularity is evident in the numerous surviving manuscripts and translations. It's often described as tedious or monotonous by modern readers, prompting scholarly investigation into its function and reception. The work's significance lies in its exploration of early Christian beliefs and practices, offering insights into the development of Christian theology and morality.

In this episode of Liturgy and the Canon: A Deeper Look at Sacred Texts, we explore the significance of understanding the early Church’s approach to biblical lists and how they shaped the canon of Scripture. I discuss why texts like 1 Clement, the Epistle of Barnabas, and the Shepherd of Hermas appeared in the manuscripts of early Christian communities and what this tells us about the development of the New Testament canon. We delve into the historical context of these writings, why they were revered by early Christians, and how their placement at the end of many early manuscripts reflects their influential, though ultimately non-canonical, status. Join me as we examine how early Christians discerned the sacred texts from the sacred traditions and how their liturgical practices contributed to the shaping of the Christian biblical tradition.

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