Canon and Canonicity: The Formation and Use of Scripture

by Einar Thomassen (editor)

The authority of the Bible is one of the defining features of Christianity. However, the origins of the biblical canon, both as an idea and as a composition, still pose many unresolved questions. The nature of the Bible's authority, including the many ways in which that authority has been tapped throughout history, is important and is continually investigated. The essays in this book discuss such crucial issues as the history of the formation of the biblical canon, examples of the canonization of books in antiquity outside Christianity, and the nature and function of canonical texts in general. Furthermore, several essays deal with the numerous ways in which biblical canonicity has been construed and utilized in more recent European history. The contributors are specialists in religious studies, ancient history, classical philology, church history, and literary theory, and the fresh perspectives offered in these essays should be of great interest to students, scholars, and general read

232 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2010