The term “canon” is used to describe the books that are divinely inspired and therefore belong in the Bible.
Determining the canon was a much-discussed process; firstly by Jewish rabbis and scholars, and then later by early Christians. The Holy Spirit has guided the hands and minds of man.
By 250 A.D. there was nearly universal agreement on the canon of Hebrew Scripture.
The New Testament led to comparatively greater controversial discussion before agreement of the books was finalised by the Christian church.
The first time a list of the 27 New Testament books is recorded is in the thirty-ninth Festal Letter of Athanasius in 367A.D.
The Synod at Rome in 382A.D. recognised the same books and Jerome’s Vulgate appeared shortly afterwards containing the 27.
