theology-Catholic

The Formation of the New Testament Canon

The 27 books we know have in the New Testament are technically referred to as the Canon . They were written over a period that extended from a few years after the ascension of Christ to the end of the first century when John 's gospel was written . They were not the only books written by Christians at the time , but these are the ones that the church found to be the most useful , spiritual and the most accurate . Those of obvious apostolic origin were prized by

the church right from the time they were first written . These included Luke 's gospel as he is so closely associated with Paul and Mark 's gospel because he was believed to writing what Peter told him . The documents would be copied and circulated so that each individual church had its own copy . The Apostles were considered to be inspired by God , just as the Old Testament prophets were

The Catholic Encyclopedia mentions HYPERLINK "http /www .newadvent .org /cathen /08130b .htm " Irenzhus , in his work of C .E 182-188 "Against Heresies " which testifies to the existence of a `Tetramorph , or a gospel in 4 forms . In the late second century in The Muratorian Canon or Fragment , which came out of the church in Rome , does not mention Hebrews , James , II Peter I Peter , but does include the Wisdom of Solomon , according to the History of Christianity ( page 94 .It was as late as 367 to 405 before...