The New Testament Canon: Duane W.H. Arnold, PhD
The New Testament Canon
Iāve always admired Harold Attridge as a scholar and interpreter of the New Testament. I think this is because of his singular ability to place the New Testament writings within the context of the Early Church.Ā I recently came across a video in which he examines the formation of the New Testament canon using a very similar methodology.Ā If you have an interest in how the New Testament came to be, this short twenty minute presentation might be a good place to start.Ā In the presentation he lays out what we know, as well as what we do not know.Ā FromĀ my perspective, Attridge is not only careful in his analysis, but some might say conservative in his dating of the materials under consideration.
I regret to say that I only had the opportunity to meet Prof. Attridge once when he was at Notre Dame, before he went to Yale, eventually becoming Dean of the Divinity School.Ā Erudite and a very fine communicator, Iāve always benefited from his books and lecture.Ā I hope you find the same to be the case.
Of course questions and discussion are welcomed.
How do we use this kind of information to create a “doctrine of scripture?”
I think it has much to do with seeing scripture and the canon within the context of the Church, rather than a vague revelation that occurred in a void external to the worshipping community.
It adds a layer of complexity to both the origin and authority of the canon…and it’s interpretations.
Duane, do you consider yourself a cessationist, in the sense that Holy Spirit inspired writings no longer take place ?
It would seem to me that the Holy Spirit continues to speak to writers, artists, laymen, and others, and others may benefit from these inspirations, but Churches have chosen to not include these other inspired writings into their canon. for this reason i tend to not agree with sola scriptura.
Richard
Under your definition, I would guess that I am a cessationist! Although I think that the Holy Spirit continues to inspire and guide…
duaneā¦..
please clarifyā¦..
what is your definition ?
There is a quantitative and qualitative difference between plenary inspiration, as in scripture, and the guidance of the Holy Spirit in the Christian life…
thank you Duane.
interesting.
The vast majority of cessationists and continuationsists both believe that the canon is complete. Cessationism has more to do with weather or not the sign gifts (tongues, prophecy, healing) are still active today.