Canon of Scripture
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The term “canon” is used to describe the books that are divinely inspired and therefore belong in the Bible.
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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.
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By 250 A.D. there was nearly universal agreement on the canon of Hebrew Scripture.
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The New Testament led to comparatively greater controversial discussion before agreement of the books was finalised by the Christian church.
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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.
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The Synod at Rome in 382A.D. recognised the same books and Jerome’s Vulgate appeared shortly afterwards containing the 27.