Creating the canon : composition, controversy, and the authority of the New Testament / Benjamin P. Laird.

Enhanced descriptions from Syndetics:

Despite the profound influence of the New Testament, a variety of questions related to its background and history remain common. Contemporary readers often find the subject of the canon's origin and formation to be complicated and confusing, while scholars continue to struggle to find agreement about basic elements of the canon's development. In this engaging study, Benjamin P. Laird explores several misunderstood, disputed, and overlooked topics in order to provide fresh insight and clarity about the canon's creation and modern relevance. The volume addresses questions such as:

Was there a single "original autograph" of each New Testament writing? Who exactly were the "original readers" of the New Testament writings? Did theological controversies play a decisive role in prompting the canon's formation? How did such a diverse body of writings come together to form a single canonical collection? Is there a basis for the canon's ongoing authority?

Wide-ranging yet accessible, Creating the Canon offers an illuminating treatment of the composition, formation, and authority of the New Testament and serves as a valuable guide to those with limited prior study.

Table of contents provided by Syndetics

• Acknowledgments (ix)
• Abbreviations (xi)
• Introduction (1)
• Part 1 Questions Relating to the Production of the New Testament Writings
• 1 The Composition of the New Testament Writings (11)
• 2 The Original Autographs of the New Testament Writings (42)
• 3 The Original Readers of the New Testament Writings (65)
• Part 2 Questions Relating to the Formation of the New Testament Canon
• 4 Theological Controversies and the Formation of the New Testament Canon (87)
• 5 The Primary Witnesses to the Early State of the New Testament Canon (120)
• 6 The Canonical Subcollections and the Formation of the New Testament Canon (141)
• Part 3 Questions Relating to the Authority of the New Testament Canon
• 7 Apostolicity and the Formation of the New Testament Canon (177)
• 8 Apostolic Authorship and the Authority of the New Testament Canon (206)
• Bibliography (237)
• Name Index (233)
• Scripture Index (255)
• Ancient Writings Index (257)

Reviews provided by Syndetics

Library Journal Review

This book by Laird (biblical studies, Liberty Univ.; The Pauline Corpus in Early Christianity) addresses common questions about the history and authority of the New Testament. While there already are books available that discuss the formation of the New Testament, this book focuses on key elements to inform readers of such things as the explanation that the creation and dissemination of one of Paul's letters was much more a community effort than one might think. The book describes original autographs (or editions), early canonical lists, Greek manuscripts, and sub-collections, including the four gospels, the Pauline letters, and more. It also examines the process of affirming the New Testament's 27 books and the different ways scholars have understood this specific part of the Bible to be uniquely authoritative. VERDICT Readers of the New Testament will find this book to be both intriguing and informative.--John Jaeger

Publishers Weekly Review

Laird (40 Questions about the Apostle Paul), a biblical studies professor at Liberty University, delivers a spirited take on how the New Testament was written and canonized. Beginning in the first century, Laird explains, Scripture writers didn't work alone and often consulted with colleagues for guidance, narrative suggestions, and firsthand accounts of Jesus's miracles. The author debunks ideas that canonical writings had an "original autograph" that became the basis for all future copies--multiple versions were likely produced, each with textual variations (though it wasn't long before "large, established collections of canonical writings" became popular, decreasing demand for single works). As well, Laird posits that fourth- and fifth-century church councils didn't play a central role in determining the canon, as previously believed. Rather, he writes, the canon's formation was a "natural process" in which subcollections of apostolic writings gradually became associated as they circulated with one another. Taking on a broad range of canonical debates, Laird's arguments are thought-provoking and thorough, and also graspable to those without an academic background in the topic. Armchair theologians should take note. (July)

Author notes provided by Syndetics

Benjamin P. Laird (PhD, University of Aberdeen) is associate professor of biblical studies at the John W. Rawlings School of Divinity at Liberty University. His publications include The Pauline Corpus in Early Christianity, 40 Questions About the Apostle Paul, and Five Views on the New Testament Canon. He lives in Lynchburg, Virginia, with his wife and five children.