Publishers Weekly
03/13/2023
Laird (40 Questions about the Apostle Paul), a biblical studies professor at Liberty University, delivers a spirited take on how the New Testament was written and canonized. Beginning in the first century, Laird explains, Scripture writers didn’t work alone and often consulted with colleagues for guidance, narrative suggestions, and firsthand accounts of Jesus’s miracles. The author debunks ideas that canonical writings had an “original autograph” that became the basis for all future copies—multiple versions were likely produced, each with textual variations (though it wasn’t long before “large, established collections of canonical writings” became popular, decreasing demand for single works). As well, Laird posits that fourth- and fifth-century church councils didn’t play a central role in determining the canon, as previously believed. Rather, he writes, the canon’s formation was a “natural process” in which subcollections of apostolic writings gradually became associated as they circulated with one another. Taking on a broad range of canonical debates, Laird’s arguments are thought-provoking and thorough, and also graspable to those without an academic background in the topic. Armchair theologians should take note. (July)
Paul A. Hartog
"As one treks into the rugged terrain of New Testament canon studies, a daunting range of issues looms on the horizon. Benjamin Laird maps out the general contours of current scholarship and then proposes his own path forward. His study provides a panoramic view of canon-related considerations but also raises significant questions concerning the relationship between apostolicity and the ecclesial recognition of divinely inspired texts."
"The wonderful thing about studying the origins of the New Testament canon is that there's always more to discover. It seems like a well without a bottom. This new volume by Benjamin Laird exemplifies this reality. In this wide-ranging study, Laird not only revisits older questions but also explores newer ones, creating a fresh and helpful addition to the growing body of work on the origins of the canon."
Craig A. Evans
"Creating the Canon tackles a difficult yet vital topic: the origin and reception of the Christian canon of Scripture. I am very impressed with how Dr. Laird explores, evaluates, and neatly lays out the options in a fair and balanced way. Whatever view one takes, one will learn a great deal about a complicated and essential dimension of the history of Christian faith and teaching. Highly recommended."
David Alan Black
"If you are a follower of Christ, then you need to know where your New Testament came from. The New Testament—why it looks and reads the way it does—is the theme of this excellent book by Benjamin Laird. The author explores textual criticism, inerrancy, pseudonymity, apostolicity, and many other topics that are highly relevant for anyone wanting to read and understand their New Testament. I cannot recommend this work highly enough."
Michael F. Bird is academic dean and lecturer in New Testament at Ridley College in Melbourne
"Benjamin Laird has written an insightful and helpful introduction to how we got the New Testament. Laird explains everything from ancient writing practices to book production and publication to letter writing in antiquity, as well as the origins and reception of Christian texts, and the importance of apostolic authority. A helpful read for anyone interested in the what and the how of the Bible."
Jane Heath
"For those who wrestle with the nature and significance of the scriptural canon in modern Christianity and wonder about its ancient origins, Benjamin Laird's book cuts a lucid and engaging path through many aspects of the canon's composition, formation, and authority. Laird writes both as a historian and as a Christian, combining critical attention to sources and hermeneutics with a personal sense of the importance of these questions today."
Darian R. Lockett
"Creating the Canon is a dependable guide for the early formation of the New Testament. It not only introduces the major scholarly voices in the debate, it also is structured to answer several common questions regarding the composition, formation, and the authority of the New Testament. Though the questions are common, Laird does not merely offer simple answers; rather, his work engages insights from textual criticism and canon research to address the origin, extent, and authority of the canon. Accessible to the student, yet filled with insights for teachers and scholars, Laird's volume will be a helpful reference tool for many and provide a gateway into deeper canon studies for others—highly recommended!"
Michael J. Kruger
"The wonderful thing about studying the origins of the New Testament canon is that there's always more to discover. It seems like a well without a bottom. This new volume by Benjamin Laird exemplifies this reality. In this wide-ranging study, Laird not only revisits older questions but also explores newer ones, creating a fresh and helpful addition to the growing body of work on the origins of the canon."
Library Journal
06/01/2023
This book by Laird (biblical studies, Liberty Univ.; The Pauline Corpus in Early Christianity) addresses common questions about the history and authority of the New Testament. While there already are books available that discuss the formation of the New Testament, this book focuses on key elements to inform readers of such things as the explanation that the creation and dissemination of one of Paul's letters was much more a community effort than one might think. The book describes original autographs (or editions), early canonical lists, Greek manuscripts, and sub-collections, including the four gospels, the Pauline letters, and more. It also examines the process of affirming the New Testament's 27 books and the different ways scholars have understood this specific part of the Bible to be uniquely authoritative. VERDICT Readers of the New Testament will find this book to be both intriguing and informative.—John Jaeger
