Cause for canonization of scripture

[Norrin-6-]

This is something I've never thought deeply about. What was the cause for canonizing scripture? Why have a list of accepted books or the compilation we have today instead of allowing a free market of scripture that the public can choose from?

My personal guess would be that the desire for control was at the forefront.

I'm interested in facts and opinions, and any further discussion.

This is a bit of a spin-off Hay85's thread, New Testament apocrypha.

 

[Alt Thinker]

Originally, scripture was simply what was being read in churches. There were no real rules. Then in the early 2nd century Marcion of Sinope established a canon of his own, rejecting quite a bit of commonly used literature and editing some of the rest. His theology was that the God of the OT was a false god and that Jesus was the real God. This implied rejecting all of the OT and destroying the traditional justifications for the authority of Jesus.

Attempts then began to establish a 'genuine' Christian canon. The Four Gospels and the writings of Paul and those attributed to Paul were obvious choices. The rest of the canon was debated until the late 4th century and there is still not universal agreement even among the various Catholic churches. Luther of course decided on his own version resulting in Rome finally declaring an official canon.

The factors involved in choosing a canon back in the 2nd century were tradition - has this work been in use for a long time? - and mutual compatibility.

Some of the apocrypha was not merely incompatible with mainstream Gospels but downright silly. My favorite silliness is the Acts of Peter. This involves a miracle duel between Peter and Simon Magus. Peter's miracles include a talking dog who argues theology and raising a smoked tuna from the dead.

 

[Pegg]

This is something I've never thought deeply about. What was the cause for canonizing scripture? Why have a list of accepted books or the compilation we have today instead of allowing a free market of scripture that the public can choose from?

My personal guess would be that the desire for control was at the forefront.

I'm interested in facts and opinions, and any further discussion.

This is a bit of a spin-off Hay85's thread, New Testament apocrypha.

the simple answer is because every man and his dog thought he was a prophet and put forward his views on how best to understand God.

there came to be so many fake writings by false teachers the congregations had to work out which ones were based on the 12 apostles teachings and which ones came from the impostors

 

[LuisDantas]

It is interesting how this is one of the core differences between the Abrahamic and the Dharmic approaches to religion.

Dharma is sort of "free market". But the Abrahamic Faiths, with few exceptions, value the clear statement of figures of authority who validate their teachings, often at the expense of any alternate authorities, teachers and teachings that are not acknowledged as compatible.

To some extent it appears to be a tendency arising from the idea of religion as a revelation coming from God, so it may or may not be unavoidable for the Abrahamics.

 

[Pegg]

It is interesting how this is one of the core differences between the Abrahamic and the Dharmic approaches to religion.

Dharma is sort of "free market". But the Abrahamic Faiths, with few exceptions, value the clear statement of figures of authority who validate their teachings, often at the expense of any alternate authorities, teachers and teachings that are not acknowledged as compatible.

To some extent it appears to be a tendency arising from the idea of religion as a revelation coming from God, so it may or may not be unavoidable for the Abrahamics.

thats exactly right... God did not speak through everyone. He had selected individuals who he would speak through.

If we believed everyone is authoritative when it comes to Gods Word, then we would accept every piece of religious writing. But God is selective in who he deals with because he is holy and righteous.

 

[savagewind]

the simple answer is because every man and his dog thought he was a prophet and put forward his views on how best to understand God.

there came to be so many fake writings by false teachers the congregations had to work out which ones were based on the 12 apostles teachings and which ones came from the impostors

I have heard people say God would not allow scripture to be corrupted or lost. Then why would the congregation need to "work out" anything? If at one time they DID need to work it out then why presently is there no need to work out what the apostles really taught and didn't teach?