Introduction
Biblical canons are collections of texts considered sacred and authoritative by a particular religious community. In the context of Christianity, the biblical canon is made up of books of the Old and New Testaments that have been recognized as inspired by God and, therefore, are part of the Bible. Neste glossário, vamos explorar os cânones bíblicos, sua história, formação e importância para a fé cristã.
The Old Testament
O Antigo Testamento é a primeira parte da Bíblia cristã e é composto por livros escritos antes do nascimento de Jesus Cristo. Os cânones bíblicos do Antigo Testamento variam entre as diferentes tradições cristãs, com a Igreja Católica Romana, a Igreja Ortodoxa Oriental e as igrejas protestantes tendo cânones ligeiramente diferentes. No entanto, todos concordam que o Antigo Testamento é uma parte essencial da Bíblia e contém a revelação de Deus ao povo de Israel.
The New Testament
O Novo Testamento é a segunda parte da Bíblia cristã e é composto por livros escritos após a morte e ressurreição de Jesus Cristo. Os cânones bíblicos do Novo Testamento são mais uniformes entre as diferentes tradições cristãs, com os mesmos 27 livros sendo reconhecidos como canônicos pela maioria das igrejas. Estes livros incluem os Evangelhos, as Epistles and the Book of Apocalypsewhich are considered fundamental to the Christian faith.
Formation of the Biblical Canons
The formation of the biblical canon was a complex process that took place over centuries. The first Christians used a variety of sacred writings in their worship and teachings, but over time, the need to establish an official list of inspired books became evident. Councils and religious authorities were responsible for deciding which books would be included in the biblical canon, taking into account criteria such as authenticity, orthodoxy and liturgical use.
Canonicity Criteria
The criteria for canonicity used by religious authorities included apostolicity, i.e. whether a book had been written by an apostle or associated with an apostle; orthodoxy, whether a book was in accordance with Christian doctrine; antiquity, whether a book was considered ancient and respected by tradition; and liturgical use, whether a book was used in the church's worship practices.
Apocrypha and Deuterocanonicals
Some books that were not included in the official biblical canon are known as apocryphal or deuterocanonical. These books are considered inspired by some Christian traditions, but not by others, and include works such as the Books of Tobit, Judith, Wisdom and Ecclesiasticus. Although they are not part of the Protestant biblical canon, the apocrypha are accepted by the Roman Catholic Church and the Eastern Orthodox Church.
The Importance of Biblical Canons
Os cânones bíblicos são fundamentais para a fé cristã, pois fornecem uma base autoritativa para a crença e prática dos cristãos. Eles são considerados a Palavra de Deus e são utilizados como guia para a vida espiritual e moral dos fiéis. Além disso, os cânones bíblicos são essenciais para a unidade da igreja, pois fornecem um conjunto comum de escrituras que são reconhecidas por todas as tradições cristãs.
Interpretation of Biblical Canons
The interpretation of biblical canons is a complex process that involves the careful study of sacred texts, taking into account the historical, cultural and theological context in which they were written. Christians use a variety of hermeneutical methods to interpret the Scriptures, including exegesis, which is the careful analysis of the original text, and hermeneutics, which is the application of biblical principles to contemporary life.
Contemporary Challenges
In modern times, biblical canons face challenges of interpretation and authority, as new archaeological discoveries and academic advances shed light on the origin and transmission of biblical texts. In addition, contemporary ethical and moral issues raise challenges for the application of biblical teachings to modern life. Christians are called to seek a deeper understanding of the biblical canon and to apply its teachings in a relevant and faithful way.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the biblical canons are fundamental to the Christian faith, providing an authoritative basis for the belief and practice of the faithful. The formation of the biblical canons was a complex process that took place over centuries, and the criteria for canonicity used by religious authorities included apostolicity, orthodoxy, antiquity and liturgical use. Despite contemporary challenges, the biblical canons continue to be a source of guidance and inspiration for Christians around the world.
