Biblical Canons

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. In this glossary, we will explore the biblical canons, their history, formation and importance for the world. faith Christian.

The Old Testament

The Old Testament is the first part of the Christian Bible and is made up of books written before the birth of Christ. Jesus Christ. The biblical canons of the Old Testament vary between the different Christian traditions, with the Roman Catholic Church, the Eastern Orthodox Church and the Protestant churches having slightly different canons. However, all agree that the Old Testament is an essential part of the Bible and contains God's revelation to the people of God. Israel.

The New Testament

The New Testament is the second part of the Christian Bible and is made up of books written after the death and resurrection of Christ. Jesus Christ. The biblical canons of the New Testament are more uniform among the different Christian traditions, with the same 27 books being recognized as canonical by most churches. These books include the Gospels, the 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

The biblical canons are fundamental to the Christian faith, as they provide an authoritative basis for Christian belief and practice. They are considered the Word of God and are used as a guide for the spiritual and moral life of Christians. faithful. In addition, the biblical canons are essential for the unity of the church, as they provide a common set of scriptures that are recognized by all Christian traditions.

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.