The Growth of A New Testament Canon – The Moratoria Fragment

In recent posts, we looked at how the heretics Marcion and Valentinus (and other Gnostics) tried to radically alter the Christian faith and to change the New Testament books that were generally accepted by the Church, or to add additional books. These pressures caused the Church to begin to clarify exactly which books belonged in the New Testament Canon.

Since the Church was facing persecution during this time, no general council could easily be held. As a result, the early definition of the New Testament Canon happened more organically. Thus, various lists of the books being accepted by churches around the Empire began to surface, and these give us an insight into the growth of the New Testament Canon.

The first important list is known as the Muratorian Fragment. Only a fragment of the original document has survived, but it includes a list of books being used as Scripture in the Church at that time. The list is probably from Rome and during the 2nd century. It is thus a very important early witness to how the books we know as the New Testament were being accepted in the early Church.

The Muratorian Fragment includes almost all of the New Testament books, including all four Gospels, the book of Acts, the letters of Paul, Revelation, and most of the general epistles. The only books not included are Hebrews, 1 Peter, and James. The list also notes that some people did not believe that 2nd Peter should be considered as part of the New Testament Canon. What is noteworthy, however, is that at least 23 of the 27 books that eventually were agreed to be inspired and therefore canonical were already accepted at this early date.

Next time we will look at the writings of Eusebius regarding the development of the Canon in his day.

In Christ,

Bret