![]() ![]() The books that eventually were considered canon reflect the times they were embraced as much the times of the events they portray.ĭuring the Protestant Reformation in the 16th century, books not originally written in Hebrew but Greek, such as Judith and Maccabees, were excluded from the Old Testament. It was not until the 5th century that all the different Christian churches came to a basic agreement on Biblical canon. The Muratorian Canon, which is believed to date to 200 A.D., is the earliest compilation of canonical texts resembling the New Testament. Second-century Syrian writer Tatian attempted to create a canon by weaving the four gospels together as the Diatessaron. Disapproving of the effort, the Roman church expelled Marcion. Marcion’s work focused on the Gospel of Luke and the letters of Paul. The earliest known attempt to create a canon in the same respect as the New Testament was in 2nd century Rome by Marcion, a Turkish businessman and church leader. Surviving documents from the 4th century show that different councils within the church released lists to guide how various Christian texts should be treated. This text is still used by Evangelical Christians to interpret current events in expectation of the End Times, and elements of it find frequent use in popular entertainment. All four Gospels were published anonymously, but historians believe that the books were given the name of Jesus’ disciples to provide direct links to Jesus to lend them greater authority. ![]() It is theorized there may have been an original document of sayings by Jesus known as the Q source, which was adapted into the narratives of the Gospels. The oral traditions within the church formed the substance of the Gospels, the earliest book of which is Mark, written around 70 A.D., 40 years after the death of Jesus. Sections of the New Testament attributed to Paul talk about Jesus with a firsthand feeling, but Paul never knew Jesus except in visions he had, and the Gospels were not yet written at the time of Paul’s letters. ![]() Some in the church, inspired by Paul, began to write and circulate their own letters, and so historians believe that some books of the New Testament attributed to Paul were in fact written by disciples and imitators.Īs Paul’s words were circulated, an oral tradition began in churches telling stories about Jesus, including teachings and accounts of post-resurrection appearances. As circulation continued, the letters were collected into books. Scribes copied the letters and kept them in circulation. Paul’s letters were distributed by churches sometime around 50 A.D., possibly just before Paul’s death. The sections of the New Testament concerning Jesus are called the Gospels and were written about 40 years after the earliest written Christian materials, the letters of Paul, known as the Epistles. It collects 27 books, all originally written in Greek. The New Testament tells the story of the life of Jesus and the early days of Christianity, most notably Paul’s efforts to spread Jesus’ teaching. READ MORE: Why the King James Bible of 1604 Remains the Most Popular Translation in History New Testament The Book of Daniel was written during this period and included in the Septuagint at the last moment, though the text itself claims to have been written sometime around 586 B.C. The Septuagint was the version of the Bible used by early Christians in Rome. Known as the Septuagint, this Greek translation was initiated at the request of King Ptolemy of Egypt to be included in the library of Alexandria. Septuagintįollowing conquest by Alexander the Great, the Hebrew Bible was translated into Greek in the 3rd century B.C. The final form of the Hebrew Bible developed over the next 200 years when Judah was swallowed up by the expanding Persian Empire. that historians believe what would become the Old Testament began to take form, the result of royal scribes recording royal history and heroic legends.ĭuring the reign of Josiah in the 6th century B.C., the books of Deuteronomy and Judges were compiled and added. ![]() It was during the reign of Hezekiah of Judah in the 8th century B.C. ![]()
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