The Canon of the New Testament: Its Origin, Development, and Significance [Hardcover]

Bruce M. Metzger (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0198261802 | ISBN-13: 978-0198261803 | Publication Date: October 8, 1987

Completing his New Testament trilogy, eminent theologian Bruce Metzger provides information from Church history concerning the recognition of the canonical status of the several books of the New Testament. Canonization was a long and gradual process of sifting through scores of gospels, epistles, and other books that enjoyed local and temporary authority--some of which have only recently come to light. Metzger discusses the external pressures that led to the fixing of the limits of the canon as well as Patristic evidence that bears on the development of the canon, not only in the West, but also among the Eastern churches. He also considers differences as to the sequence of the books in the New Testament.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"This beautifully produced volume...will take its place with the earlier two as the standard treatment of its subject, indispensable for instructors and students alike."--Princeton Seminary Bulletin

"A masterpiece of careful and lucid scholarship, certain to be the standard treatment of the NT canon well into the next century."--Religious Studies Review

--This text refers to the Paperback edition.

About the Author

Bruce M. Metzger is at Princeton Theological Seminary. --This text refers to the Paperback edition.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 336 pages
• Publisher: Oxford University Press, USA (October 8, 1987)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0198261802
• ISBN-13: 978-0198261803
• Product Dimensions: 8.8 x 5.7 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (19 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,137,918 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

As one of the world's best-known scholars on the text of the New Testament, Bruce M. Metzger has taught for many years at Princeton Theological Seminary.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

118 of 123 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great analysis on a difficult issue, June 10, 2000

By 

Timotheus Josephus - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Canon of the New Testament: Its Origin, Development, and Significance (Paperback)

This book was written by Bruce Metzger; one of the most respected Greek scholars of our modern day. While coming from a conservative viewpoint, Metzger is respected by scholars from all theological backgrounds. After reading "The Canon of the New Testament" I can understand why this man is so admired for his work. He devotes a very small portion of the book giving his opinion. Instead, he lays all of the facts on the table in such a compelling way as to almost force the reader to his conclusion before he even gives it.

The first section contains a brief overview of other literature that has been written on the topic of the New Testament (NT) canon.

The second section is where we are given all of the information regarding the development of the NT canon. Metzger examines the authority given by the apostolic fathers to the various NT books. He then proceeds to what I consider to be the most interesting part of the book - the influence of "heretics" on the development of the NT. Metzger demonstrates the fact that some NT books were already recognized as authoritative early in the second century because the orthodox and heretical writers of this time tried using passages of certain books to support their arguments.

This book goes a long way toward refuting those who think the NT canon was arbitrarily selected by church councils of the fourth century. Metzger clearly shows how nearly all of the NT books were recognized as authoritative from as early as can be historically detected.

33 of 34 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Good Introduction to Subject, September 20, 2005

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Reader From Aurora - See all my reviews

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This review is from: The Canon of the New Testament: Its Origin, Development, and Significance (Paperback)

Bruce Metzger's "The Cannon of the New Testament" is an introductory-level overview of the development of the New Testament. Metzger is one of the best-known and most-respected contemporary writers in this area.

The author approaches the subject from a conservative academic perspective - his comments are reflective of mainstream New Testament scholarship. Given the text's introductory nature it does not advocate for any particular historical school of thought, but rather provides a relatively neutral starting point for readers. For readers new to serious New Testament study it does offer a reasoned antidote to some of the silliness that periodically pops at the popular level (e.g. components of Christian Cannon were arbitrarily selected under Roman state direction, many equally valid historic Gospels were suppressed, etc.). Metzger rightly notes that there are no compelling reasons for doubting the traditional view of cannon development - i.e. books were canonized because of their wide spread use and acceptance by the early church.

Some earlier reviewers have criticised Metzger as being biased. I must say that I am a strong supporter of open and honest discourse - my concern with these specific comments is that they appear to be largely based on Metzger being a Christian rather than his work (their comments on the handling of Thomas and Mark are misleading - Metzger actually offers comparatively liberal comments on both points). This type of argument based on a writer's supposed religious beliefs are not helpful - it is prejudice. I appreciate that at times personal attacks can be tempting and even have some short-term success. In the long-run, however, they inhibit civil discourse and contribute to intolerance toward those who do not share our views.

Overall, the book is an excellent starting point for all readers interested in the development of the New Testament. I highly recommended it to all students of religious studies or ancient history as well as the general reader. For readers seeking further, F.F. Bruce also has done some good introductory level work in this area.

46 of 51 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent Source on the Formation of the Canon, April 10, 2003

By 

Alatheia416 - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Canon of the New Testament: Its Origin, Development, and Significance (Paperback)

Bruce Meztger seems to be the reigning scholar as far as early New Testament books are concerned. He's writen over ten books on that subject alone. From all information about the "Q" document to different textual versions of the gospels, he's your man.

This book, however, is not specifically about where the individual books of the New Testament Canon came from. Meztger does talk about who wrote them, to be sure, but he is more concerned with how they actually came to be canonized. He discuses the outside elements that brought the church to seperate certain books as authoritative(canonize), and investigates various books that were eventually rejected. One thing Meztger seems to stress is that the decision to include books in the canon was not done over night in one council; but gradually over roughly 300 years of various(though similar) 'lists' of books. Eventually he concludes with the excellent illustration:"If, for example, all the academies of music in the world were to unite in declaring Bach and Beethoven to be great musicians, we should reply, 'Thank you for nothing; we knew that already.'" Same thing with the canon.

I found this book to be extremly boring in places; I'm not very proficient in scholarly works. This book seems to be meant for college students. Its very helpful, though, for those who want to know how the New Testament came to be labeled as authoritative, hence the five stars. Don't miss the concluding essays on modern questions concerning the canon. I recomend this to budding Bible scholars or mature Christians.