Canon Formation: Tracing the Role of Sub-Collections in the Biblical Canon

by W. Edward Glenny (Editor), Darian Lockett (Editor)

Overview

Contributors to this volume examine the various collections of canonical sub-units in the canon, considering the state of the question regarding each particular collection. The chapters introduce the issues involved in sub-collections being accepted in the canon, summarize the historical evidence of the acceptance of these collections, and discuss the compositional evidence of “canonical consciousness” in the various collections. The contributors consider paratextual evidence, for example, the arrangement of the books in various manuscripts, the titles of the books, and also include evidence such as the presence of catchwords, framing devices, and themes.

The book begins with a consideration of the two overarching collections – the Old and New Testaments. Next, several sub-collections within the Hebrew Bible (OT) are considered, including the Torah, Prophets, the Megilloth, the Twelve (both in their Masoretic Text and Septuagint forms), and the Psalter. In addition, sub-collections in the New Testament include the four-fold Gospel, the Pauline Collection (usually with Hebrews in the early manuscripts), the function of Acts within the New Testament, the Praxapostolos (Acts along with the Catholic Epistles), and the function of Revelation as the end of the canon.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780567692108
Publisher:	Bloomsbury Publishing
Publication date:	01/12/2023
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	368
File size:	2 MB

About the Author

Darian R. Lockett is Associate Professor of New Testament at Talbot School of Theology, Biola University, USA.

W. Edward Glenny is Professor of New Testament Studies and Greek at University of Northwestern St. Paul, USA.
W. Edward Glenny is professor of New Testament and Greek at the University of Northwestern – St. Paul, MN, USA.
Darian Lockett is Assistant Professor of New Testament, Talbot School of Theology, Biola University, CA, USA

Table of Contents

List of Contributors
Forward
Lee Martin McDonald

Introduction
W. Edward Glenny and Darian R. Lockett

Section One: The Bible as a Whole and the Old and New Testament as Canonical Units

The Bible Canon and Its Significance
Tomas Bokedal

The Canonical Shape of the Hebrew Old Testament
Stephen G. Dempster

The Canonical Shape of the Greek Old Testament
John Meade

The Canonical Shape of the New Testament
Matthew Y. Emerson

Section Two: Old Testament Canonical Sub-Units

The Pentateuch as Canon
Stephen B. Chapman

The Canon of Psalms
Nancy L. deClaissé-Walford

The Canonical Role of Israel's Wisdom Collection
Craig G. Bartholomew

The Macro-Structure of the Megilloth
Timothy Stone

The Canonical Function of the Nebi'im
Christopher Seitz

Prophetic Intentionality in the Twelve
Don C. Collett

The Book of the Twelve in the Septuagint
W. Edward Glenny

Section Three: New Testament Canonical Sub-Units

The Fourfold Gospel Collection
Gregory R. Lanier

Corpus Apostolicum
Darian R. Lockett

The Pauline Corpus
E. Randolph Richards

Revelation as the End of the Canon
Ku¨lli Tõniste

Section Four: Hermeneutical Considerations of Canon

Hermeneutical Reflections on Canonical Sub-Collections: Retrospect and Prospect
Ched Spellman

Bibliography
Index

Editorial Reviews

The subunits of this book serve the whole much in the same way the subunits they discuss serve the biblical canon. The novice reader is effectively introduced to the landscape of canonical studies through the intentionality of the book's editors, while the experienced researcher is introduced to new ideas and constructive suggestions for further study. Glenny and Lockett, along with each contributor, have provided a resource for all levels of study that can and should be used in canon research moving forward.” —Review of Biblical Literature

“The focus on sub-units of the biblical books in this volume is a most welcome focus that has not received adequate attention by earlier scholars or in my work on canon formation. This volume provides an important advance on canon formation in this often neglected area.” —From the foreword by Lee Martin McDonald, Acadia Divinity School, Canada

“For years now, the scholarly interest in the biblical canon has only seemed to grow. But lacking in many of these discussions has been a deep exploration of the form and structure of the canon, with special attention to canonical sub-units. This new volume gathers together an impressive group of scholars who provide well-researched and even-handed essays that fill this important gap. I highly recommend it.” —Michael J. Kruger, Reformed Theological Seminary, USA

“A valuable resource for anyone interested in [Old Testament] or [New Testament] canon formation. Furthermore, its multifaceted overview of each sub-collection means Canon Formation would make an excellent supplemental textbook for OT and NT introduction courses.” —Levi Baker, William Tennent School of Theology, USA, Reviews of Biblical and Early Christian Studies

From the Publisher