Creating the Canon - by Benjamin Paul Laird (Paperback)

About the Book

Some questions about the New Testament are far from settled, to say nothing of misconception and confusion. In this wide-ranging yet accessible overview, Bejamin Laird offers constructive insight on matters tied to the composition, collection, andauthority of the New Testament canon.

Book Synopsis

ECPA Top Shelf Book Cover Award

Unraveling the Origins of the New Testament Canon

Despite the profound influence of the New Testament, a variety of questions related to its background and history remain common. Contemporary readers often find the subject of the canon's origin and formation to be complicated and confusing, while scholars continue to struggle to find agreement about basic elements of the canon's development. In this engaging study, Benjamin P. Laird explores several misunderstood, disputed, and overlooked topics in order to provide fresh insight and clarity about the canon's creation and modern relevance. The volume addresses questions such as:

• Was there a single "original autograph" of each New Testament writing?
• Who exactly were the "original readers" of the New Testament writings?
• Did theological controversies play a decisive role in prompting the canon's formation?
• How did such a diverse body of writings come together to form a single canonical collection?
• Is there a basis for the canon's ongoing authority?

Wide-ranging yet accessible, Creating the Canon offers an illuminating treatment of the composition, formation, and authority of the New Testament andserves as a valuable guide to those with limited prior study. Creating the Canon is perfect for anyone seeking to further understand how the church got the New Testament, and it is an ideal supplemental text for courses including biblical studies, church history, theology, or any class exploring the development and authority of the New Testament canon.

Review Quotes

"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."

"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."

About the Author

Benjamin P. Laird (PhD, University of Aberdeen) is associate professor of biblical studies at the John W. Rawlings School of Divinity at Liberty University. His publications include The Pauline Corpus in Early Christianity, 40 Questions aboutthe Apostle Paul, Five Views on the New Testament Canon, and the forthcoming The New Testament Canon in Contemporary Research. He lives in Lynchburg, Virginia, with his wife and five children.