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The Biblical Canon: Its Origin, Transmission, and Authority Paperback – Illustrated, November 1, 2006

by Lee Martin McDonald (Author)
4.5 4.5 out of 5 stars 37 ratings
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Selected for inclusion in Preaching magazine's "Annual Review of Outstanding Books for Preachers 2006"

This is the thoroughly updated and expanded third edition of the successful The Formation of the Christian Biblical Canon. It represents a fresh attempt to understand some of the many perplexing questions related to the origins and canonicity of the Bible.
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  1. Print length
    592 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Publisher
    Baker Academic
  4. Publication date
    November 1, 2006
  5. Dimensions
    6 x 1.34 x 9 inches
  6. ISBN-10
    0801047102
  7. ISBN-13
    978-0801047107
  8. See all details
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Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Lee Martin McDonald (PhD, University of Edinburgh), before his retirement, was professor of New Testament studies and president of Acadia Divinity College. He is the author or coauthor of several books, including The Biblical Canon, and coeditor of The Canon Debate (with James Sanders), and The World of the New Testament (with Joel Green). He lives in Mesa, Arizona.

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Baker Academic; Illustrated edition (November 1, 2006)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Paperback ‏ : ‎ 592 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0801047102
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0801047107
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 2.08 pounds
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 6 x 1.34 x 9 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.5 4.5 out of 5 stars 37 ratings

About the author

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Lee Martin McDonald

Lee Martin McDonald

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Rev. Lee Martin McDonald, Ph.D.

Professor of New Testament Studies

President, Institute for Biblical Research, (2006-2012)

Retired

EDUCATION

B.A., Biola University, La Mirada, California, 1964.

B.D., Talbot Theological Seminary, La Mirada, California 1969. (Magna Cum Laude)

Th.M., Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts, 1985 (Honors). Major in New Testament History and Patristics. Thesis: An Examination of the Origins of the Christian Biblical Canon. (Supervised by Professor Helmut Koester)

Ph.D., University of Edinburgh, Scotland, 1976. Focus: New Testament Studies. Thesis title: The Resurrection of Jesus in History and Faith. (Supervisor: Professor Hugh A. Anderson)

I have published several books and articles on canon formation, that is the origin and development of the Bible, as well as other New Testament themes. I continue to give courses and lectures in New Testament subjects at various institutions as well as in various churches and pastoral associations.

Customer reviews

4.5 out of 5 stars
4.5 out of 5
37 global ratings

Top reviews from the United States

Michael
5.0 out of 5 stars Worth the Time to Read
Reviewed in the United States on July 22, 2021
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If you don’t like uncertainty, you probably do not want to read this book. If you enjoy the ongoing fluid work of the early church and the Holy Spirit, both with its followers and leaders to hold to the core teachings of Jesus and their first leaders who communicated these truths both orally and in written form, will appreciate the journey the author takes you on to understand how the biblical cannon was finalized.

I enjoy history so the added element of historical context in the shaping of scripture, it’s Authority, use, and canonization along with the lack of uniformity during the early centuries as to what was scripture, made the book enjoyable. If there is one thing the author makes clear: it was the the final list of books that made up today’s biblical cannon was not always clear or final, even for the early church.

This statement at the end of the book sums up the authors intent well. He says, “My aim in this study has been to bring some light to the often dimly lit corridors that led to the formation of our Bible and, in that process, to remind the reader of the true canon of faith for the church: our Lord Jesus Christ. “
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Thomas F. Johnson
5.0 out of 5 stars The Definitive Work
Reviewed in the United States on September 8, 2012
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Lee McDonald's research and writing on the canon has covered decades. He is a principal authority on the topic in the US, and this volume is a summary of his research. Though somewhat repetitive (this can be helpful in dealing with this complex subject), McDonald lays out clearly the options in understanding how we got the Bible. The book is divided into three major sections: (1) "Scripture and Canon," an introductory section of 72 pages that defines terms and clarifies how the term canon should be used; (2) "Hebrew Bible/Old Testament Canon," which details how our current OT canons (Jewish and Christian groups differ over the extent of the OT canon) came to be (pp. 73-240); and (3)"New Testament Canon," containing the story of the emergence of the 27 writings that make up our NT, including discussion of books that were once considered authoritative, even "scripture," but were finally excluded (pp. 241-429). There are several helpful appendices, and the volume is well-indexed.

McDonald's book takes the Bible seriously as the principal authoritative guide for Christian faith, but it does not prioritize traditional views of how the Bible came to be, and, in fact, stands in tension with them, when the evidence does not support them. I found this fresh, non-doctrinaire, approach very rewarding.

Fully aware of the works of previous scholars on the canon (including A. Sundberg, F. F. Bruce, B. Metzger, J. Barr, B. Childs, J. A. Sanders, H. Koester, H. von Campenhausen, and others), McDonald's book is a compendium of valuable information on previous research, and it sets out clear questions that must be considered by anyone thinking about this how the Bible, in its current forms, came to be.
29 people found this helpful
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Una Veritas
4.0 out of 5 stars Scholarly and Helpful
Reviewed in the United States on February 23, 2014
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I have enjoyed reading the book and found it very informative! It is well organized and well researched. I appreciate the appendices where the author provides helpful information for further research. He sometimes cites other contemporary authors/scholars when I wish he would have explained why they think as they do (doing this kind of research I often want to get beyond the "what" people think to get at the "why". So I will have to track down those other authors to follow up on things).

The author also seems to come from a conservative albeit slightly liberal bent with theological perspective adopting some thinking along the lines of higher criticisms while still coming to (mostly) traditional conservative conclusions. But he is probably more conservative than the majority of academia. I am still wading into and learning these subjects though, so (you know) take my thoughts with a grain of salt.

But good book especially if you want to learn more about the subject! I look forward to delving much deeper into the matters.
8 people found this helpful
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Steve C.
5.0 out of 5 stars Very thoroughly researched & informative book on the Biblical canon
Reviewed in the United States on January 4, 2018
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Got this as a Christmas gift for me. I've become very interested in the history of how the Biblical canon came together. Unfortunately, I have not made it through the entire book yet, but it is extremely thorough, with literally hundreds of references. The indexes are also invaluable, as you can easily go to whatever topic, author, historical person or event, or any other thing you want to find the answers at the flip of a page. The appendices are also invaluable, such as the lists of canons throughout the early centuries of the church & how they differed including the fourth century church councils. This is one of those few books on the top of my list that every Christian who is serious about their trust in the canon - and which books actually belong in them & which don't - should read. For seminary students, this is a MUST! So thankful for coming across the YouTube video by Mike Licona on the Biblical canon, & for recommending this book when I reached out to him. Looking forward to reading the rest of it soon. Can't recommend this enough!
5 people found this helpful
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Brian G Wideman
5.0 out of 5 stars ... study on the Biblical Canon in this book is amazing. I did not realize all the elements that ...
Reviewed in the United States on July 9, 2015
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The lovel of indepth study on the Biblical Canon in this book is amazing. I did not realize all the elements that go into this study. But McDonald seems to tackle them on a scholarly but understanable level.
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Miguel H. De Zubeldia
5.0 out of 5 stars Very, very nice...
Reviewed in the United States on April 4, 2017
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EXCELLENT BEAUTIFUL THANK YOU VERY MUCH
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Customer 7
5.0 out of 5 stars Should be a Standard Work at Every Seminary
Reviewed in the United States on May 11, 2014
Why I wasn't exposed to this book earlier is a mystery. It is simply wonderful - a straightforward, no-nonsense attempt at trying to tackle the why, how, and what of the books of the Bible and their "number." I appreciated the utter depth of this study and how careful the author is at navigating through countless claims - many of them precious to the establishment (e.g., the OT canon of Jesus' day was agreed upon by everyone, etc.). While taking good research for what it is, I appreciated his critique of Beckwith and others' claims - that is, those who have already decided their conclusion and are making their evidence fit it instead of the other way around. In short, it's very penetrating, and for all those evangelicals/Catholics and others who see the books of the Bible as "binary" (either inspired or not) will be very challenged.
8 people found this helpful
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Steve Lapeyrouse
4.0 out of 5 stars GOOD, IF NOT A QUICK READ
Reviewed in the United States on February 19, 2018
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Informative and yet readable, as the author intended. But it is not a light study, if you want an 'intro".
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Top reviews from other countries

WuWei
5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on October 20, 2023
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Very thorough and detailed book. The only one you would need.
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山中猛士
5.0 out of 5 stars Guide book for understanding how the Old and New Testaments became "Canons."
Reviewed in Japan on February 2, 2016
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The Bible has been established as "Canon" but how? Recommended to all, Christian or not, who are interested in the Bible.
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rob shot
5.0 out of 5 stars More than a text book.
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on February 23, 2014
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A fully balanced book that provides insight, tremendous supporting references to the various aspects of each key theme and still manages to promote supported opinion.
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Cleo
5.0 out of 5 stars Relevance
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on April 2, 2013
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I found this book very helpful and relevant to me as I completed my Theology Thesis.
Its of great value.
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