WHAT IS THE CANON OF SCRIPTURE?

Do you know the meaning of the word «canon»?

lt was a cane or stick that was used to measure.

That is why in the Bible the word «canon» is used to mean rule or regula­tion. For instance, it is used to say what the rules or regulations of the Chris­tian life are.

To the first Christians, «canon» meant «rule of faith.»

And the «biblical canon» includes the books of the Bible which most Christians consider to be inspired by God.

The books of the Old Testament that are considered to be inspired are the thirty-nine books accepted by the Jews. You can find them in your Bible’s table of contents.

And the books of the New Testament that are part of the biblical canon are the twenty-seven books that were accepted by the early Christians and that you may also find in your Bible’s table of contents.

Only some Catholic Bibles include books that the majority of Christians don’t consider to be inspired by God. That is why Catholic Bibles have for­ty-six books in the Old Testament and twenty-seven in the New Testament.

Now you know what the biblical canon is, and why some Bibles have more books than others. But remember that the books that were inspired by God are only 39 + 27.

Look up your Bible’s table of contents to see the books that are part of the biblical canon and copy them in your Prayer Journal.

Don’t forget to point out which books are from the Old Testament and which are from the New Testament.