Canon

Canon (from Hebrew and Greek kanon, a rod or reed used as a measuring rule) refers to the authoritative collection of writings recognized as Scripture — the standard of faith and practice for the people of God. Applied to the Bible, a book is canonical when the church has recognized it as bearing divine authority, distinguishing it from other religious literature. The Hebrew canon (the Old Testament, arranged in the tripartite division of Torah, Prophets, and Writings) was settled in its essentials by the first century A.D., though debate over certain books (Esther, Ecclesiastes, Song of Solomon) continued among Jewish scholars. The New Testament canon reached its present form through gradual consensus in the early church, with the letters of Athanasius in A.D. 367 providing the earliest complete list matching the current twenty-seven books. The primary criterion for canonicity was apostolic origin or connection, consistent with the regula fidei (rule of faith), and universal reception in the churches.