What is canon
The term canon refers to the set of books considered sacred and authoritative within a particular religion. In the case of the Bible The canon consists of the books that have been recognized as inspired by God and are therefore part of the Holy Scriptures.
Origin of the term
The word "canon" comes from ancient Greek and means "measuring rod" or "ruler". In the religious context, the term came to be used to designate the official list of books that make up the Holy Scriptures of a particular religious tradition.
Canon of the Christian Bible
In the case of the Christian Bible, the canon is divided into two parts: the Old Testament, which contains the books written before the birth of Jesus Christ, and the New Testament, which brings together the writings that recount the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus.
Canon of the Catholic Bible
The Catholic Bible has a more extensive canon than the versions used by other Christian denominations, including books known as "deuterocanonical", which are not recognized by all Christian traditions.
Canon of the Protestant Bible
The Bibles used by Protestant denominations follow a more restricted canon, excluding the deuterocanonical books found in the Catholic Bible. This difference in canon is a result of the Protestant Reformation of the 16th century.
Authority of the canon
For faithful of various religious traditions, the canon is considered the ultimate authority in matters of faith and religious practice. The books that are part of the canon are seen as the Word of God and guide the spiritual life of believers.
Process of forming the canon
The process of forming the biblical canon was long and complex, involving debates and councils over the centuries. The selection of the books that would form part of the canon was based on criteria such as divine inspiration, orthodoxy and liturgical use.
Importance of the canon
The canon plays a fundamental role in the religious life of millions of people around the world, serving as a source of spiritual and moral guidance. Through the books that make up the canon, the faithful seek to understand God's will and live according to his teachings.
Variations on the canon
It is important to note that there are variations in the biblical canon among different religious traditions, reflecting the historical and theological differences that have shaped the development of Christianity over the centuries.