The Formation of the Christian Canon
Eusebius on the Canon of the New Testament
But now that we have reached this
point, it is reasonable to sum up the writings of the New Testament already mentioned. Well then, we must set in the first place the holy quaternion of the Gospels; which are followed by the book of the Acts
of the Apostles. After this we must reckon the epistles of Paul; following which we must pronounce genuine the extant former epistle of John, and likewise the epistle of Peter. After these we must place, if
it really seems right, the Apocalypse of John, the views that have been held as to which we shall set forth at the proper time. These, then, belong to the acknowledged writings. But of those which are
disputed, nevertheless familiar to the majority, there is extant the epistle of James, as it is called; and that of Jude; and the second epistle of Peter; and the second and third of John, so named, whether
they belong to the evangelist or perhaps to some other of the same name as he. Among the spurious writings there are to be placed also the book of the Acts of Paul, and the Shepherd, as it is called, and the
Apocalypse of Peter; and, in addition to these, the extant epistle of Barnabas, and the Teachings of the Apostles, as it is called; and, moreover, as I said, the Apocalypse of John if it seems right. (This
last, as I said, is rejected by some, but others give it a place among the acknowledged writings.) And among these some have reckoned also the Gospel of the Hebrews, a work which is especially acceptable to
such Hebrews as received the Christ. Now all these would be among the disputed writings; but nevertheless we have been compelled to make a catalogue of these also, distinguishing those writings which the
tradition of the Church has deemed true and genuine and acknowledged from the others outside their number, which, though they are not canonical but even disputed, yet are recognized by most churchmen. [And
this we have done] in order that we might be able to know both these same writings and also those which the heretics put forward in the name of the apostles, whether as containing Gospels of Peter and Thomas
and Matthias, or even of some others besides these, or as containing Acts of Andrew and John and the other apostles. None of these has been deemed worthy of any kind of mention in a treatise by a single
member of successive generations of churchmen; and the character of the style also is far removed from the apostolic manner, and the thought and purport of their contents is so absolutely out of harmony with
true orthodoxy, as to establish the fact that they are certainly the forgeries of heretics. For this reason they ought not even to be placed among the spurious writings, but refused as altogether monstrous
and impious.
— Cited by J. Stevenson, A New Eusebius (London: SPCK,1960), p. 339.
Athanasius, Canonical Lists
There must be no hesitation to state again the [books] of the New Testament; for they are these: Four Gospels: according to Matthew, according to Mark, according
to Luke, and according to John. Further, after these, also [The] Acts of [the] Apostles, and the seven so-called Catholic Epistles of the Apostles, as follows: One of James, but two of Peter, then, three of
John, and after these, one of Jude. In addition to these there are fourteen Epistles of the Apostle Paul put down in the following order: The first to the Romans, then two to the Corinthians, and after
these, [the Epistles] to the Galatians, and then to the Ephesians; further, [the Epistles] to the Philippians and to the Colossians and two to the Thessalonians, and the [Epistle] to the Hebrews. And next
two [letters] to Timothy, but one to Titus, and the last [being] the one to Philemon.Moreover, also the Apocalypse of John. . . . But writing of necessity, I add this for the sake of
morecompleteness at least, that there are other books beside these, which although not canonized, were "recommended" by the Fathers to be read by the novices and by those who desire to be instructed in the
learning of piety: The Wisdom of Solomon, and the Wisdom of Sirach, and Esther, and Judith, and Tobit, and the so-called Teaching of the Apostles, and The Shepherd. And, beloved, the former being canonized
and the latter being read, nevertheless there is no mention of the apocrypha, but they are a device of the heretics, [who], writing them when they desire approve them and assign [early] dates to them so
that, presenting [them] as ancient, they may have a pretence to lead astray the simple by these [writings].
— Cited by Daniel J.
Theron, Evidence of Tradition (London: Bowes & Bowes, 1957), p. 119.
Victor Constantinus Maximus Augustus To Eusebius
In that city which bears my name,
by the assistance of God, our Savior's providence, a vast multitude of men have joined themselves to the most holy church. Whereas, therefore, all things do there receive a very great increase, it seems
highly requisite, that there should be more churches erected in that city. Wherefore, do you most willingly receive that which I have determined to do. For it seemed fit, to signify to your prudence, that
you should order fifty copies of the divine scriptures (the provision and use thereof you know to be chiefly necessary for the instruction of the church) to be written on well-prepared parchment, by copyists
most skillful in the art of accurate and fair writing; which (copies) must be very legible, and easily portable in order to their being used. Moreover, letters have been sent off to the chief financial
officer of the diocese, giving instructions that he should take care for the providing of all things necessary in order to finishing of said copies. This, therefore, shall be your responsibility, to see that
the written copies be forthwith provided. You are also empowered by the authority of this, our letter, to have use of two public carriages, to aid in their transport. For, by this means, those which are
transcribed fair, may most commodiously be conveyed even to our sight; to wit, one of the deacons of your church being employed in the performance hereof. Who, when he comes to us, shall be made sensible of
our bounty. God preserve you, dear brother!
— Cited by William R. Farmer, Jesus and the Gospels (Philadelphia: Fortress Press,
1982), p. 186. |
