Canon of Scripture
The Canon of Scripture refers to the divinely inspired books recognized by the Catholic Church as the Word of God. The term canon (from Greek kanōn, meaning “rule” or “measuring rod”) designates the list of writings that form the normative collection of Sacred Scripture.
Definition and Meaning
The Catholic Church understands the canon of Scripture as the collection of books that are inspired by the Holy Spirit and entrusted to the Church. The canon was discerned, recognized, and defined by the Church, which Christ endowed with authority to “bind and loose” (cf. Matthew 16:19).
“It was the apostolic Tradition that led the Church to discern which writings are to be included in the list of the sacred books.” — Catechism of the Catholic Church, §120
Historical Development
Old Testament
The Catholic Old Testament contains 46 books, following the Septuagint (Greek translation of the Hebrew Scriptures) used by Jesus and the Apostles.
Early Christians—many of whom spoke Greek—used the Septuagint as their Bible. This version included seven books later rejected by post-Christian Judaism:
- Tobit
- Judith
- Wisdom (of Solomon)
- Sirach (Ecclesiasticus)
- Baruch
- 1 Maccabees and 2 Maccabees
- Additions to Esther and Daniel
These are known as the Deuterocanonical Books (“second canon”), distinguished from the Protocanonical Books (universally accepted by Jews and Christians alike).
New Testament
The Catholic New Testament (27 books) emerged through ecclesial usage and discernment over centuries. Early controversies (e.g., Gnosticism, Marcionism) prompted the Church to clarify the authentic apostolic writings.
- c. 170 AD: Muratorian Fragment lists most NT books.
- 367 AD: St. Athanasius’s Festal Letter lists the 27-book NT canon.
- 382 AD: Pope Damasus I’s Decretum Gelasianum confirms the 73-book canon.
- 393–397 AD: Synod of Hippo and Carthage reaffirm the same canon.
- 405 AD: Pope Innocent I endorses this canon for the universal Church.
The Canon Defined by the Church
Council of Trent (1546)
In response to Protestant reformers removing the Deuterocanonicals, the Council of Trent solemnly defined the canon of Scripture as dogma:
“If anyone does not accept as sacred and canonical the aforesaid books in their entirety... let him be anathema.” — Council of Trent, Session IV (April 8, 1546)
Thus, Trent reaffirmed the traditional canon:
- Old Testament: 46 books
- New Testament: 27 books
Total: 73 books
Comparison with Other Traditions
| Tradition | OT Books | NT Books | Total | Key Difference |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Catholic | 46 | 27 | 73 | Includes Deuterocanonicals |
| Protestant | 39 | 27 | 66 | Excludes Deuterocanonicals |
| Eastern Orthodox | 49+ | 27 | ~76 | Includes additional OT texts (e.g., 3 Maccabees) |
| Jewish (Tanakh) | 24 | — | 24 | Hebrew canon only |
Theological Significance
The canon’s authority rests not on self-declaration by the texts but on Christ’s authority mediated through His Church. The Church is “the pillar and foundation of the truth” (1 Timothy 3:15), guided by the Holy Spirit to preserve the Word of God faithfully.
The Catholic understanding is therefore:
- The Church did not create the canon — she recognized and preserved what God inspired.
- The canon presupposes Apostolic succession and the living Tradition of faith.
Key Magisterial and Patristic Witnesses
Church Fathers
- St. Augustine (c. 397 AD):
“I would not believe the Gospel if the authority of the Catholic Church did not move me to do so.” (Contra Epistolam Manichaei, 5,6)
- Jerome (c. 400 AD):
Initially hesitant about the Deuterocanon, Jerome ultimately accepted them in obedience to the Church.
Magisterial References
Canon List (Catholic)
Old Testament (46)
Pentateuch (5): Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, Deuteronomy Historical Books (16): Joshua, Judges, Ruth, 1–2 Samuel, 1–2 Kings, 1–2 Chronicles, Ezra, Nehemiah, Tobit, Judith, Esther (+ additions), 1–2 Maccabees Wisdom Books (7): Job, Psalms, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, Song of Songs, Wisdom, Sirach Prophets (18): Isaiah, Jeremiah, Lamentations, Baruch, Ezekiel, Daniel (+ additions), Hosea, Joel, Amos, Obadiah, Jonah, Micah, Nahum, Habakkuk, Zephaniah, Haggai, Zechariah, Malachi
New Testament (27)
Matthew, Mark, Luke, John, Acts, Romans, 1–2 Corinthians, Galatians, Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, 1–2 Thessalonians, 1–2 Timothy, Titus, Philemon, Hebrews, James, 1–2 Peter, 1–3 John, Jude, Revelation
Summary
| Element | Catholic View |
|---|---|
| Canon source | Apostolic Tradition recognized by the Church |
| OT version | Septuagint (Greek) |
| NT recognition | Apostolic authorship and liturgical use |
| Canon closure | Council of Trent (1546) |
| Interpretation principle | Scripture, Tradition, and Magisterium |
See Also
- Deuterocanonical Books
- Council of Trent
- Apostolic Tradition
- Church Fathers
- Biblical Inspiration
- Magisterium
References
- Catechism of the Catholic Church, §§120–127
- Dei Verbum (Vatican II, 1965)
- Council of Trent, Session IV (1546)
- Augustine, Contra Epistolam Manichaei
- Jerome, Prologus Galeatus
- Athanasius, Festal Letter 39
- Eusebius, Church History 3.25