Creating the Canon

ECPA Top Shelf Book Cover Award

Unraveling the Origins of the New Testament Canon

Despite the profound influence of the New Testament, a variety of questions related to its background and history remain common. Contemporary readers often find the subject of the canons origin and formation to be complicated and confusing, while scholars continue to struggle to find agreement about basic elements of the canons development. In this engaging study, Benjamin P. Laird explores several misunderstood, disputed, and overlooked topics in order to provide fresh insight and clarity about the canons creation and modern relevance. The volume addresses questions such as:

• Was there a single "original autograph" of each New Testament writing?
• Who exactly were the "original readers" of the New Testament writings?
• Did theological controversies play a decisive role in prompting the canons formation?
• How did such a diverse body of writings come together to form a single canonical collection?
• Is there a basis for the canons ongoing authority?

Wide-ranging yet accessible, Creating the Canon offers an illuminating treatment of the composition, formation, and authority of the New Testament andserves as a valuable guide to those with limited prior study. Creating the Canon is perfect for anyone seeking to further understand how the church got the New Testament, and it is an ideal supplemental text for courses including biblical studies, church history, theology, or any class exploring the development and authority of the New Testament canon.