Journal: Journal of the Evangelical Theological Society
Volume: JETS 10:1 (Winter 1967)
Article: The Canon Of The Bible: Some Reasons For Contemporary Interest
Author: John M. Zinkand

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BETS 10:1 (Winter 1967) p. 15

The Canon Of The Bible:
Some Reasons For Contemporary Interest

John M. Zinkand, Ph.D.

A decade ago Theodor H. Caster published his translation of the distinctive documents from the Dead Sea area. Entitled The Dead Sea Scriptures, 1 this paperback has become quite popular. That “Scriptures” instead of “writings” was used may well be the result of considerations of connotation, rather than alliteration. For “Scriptures” suggests that these writings are on a par with the Sacred Scriptures, the Bible.

By appealing to a latent curiosity, publishers in the past have been able to pawn off copies of the Apocrypha by packaging such as “The Lost Books of the Bible.” Thanks to the finds of Qumran and Nag Hammadi, publishers can offer some new Lost Scriptures.”

These finds too, are among the factors which have brought the consideration of the canon to the fore. While the cautious, as well as the theologically conservative, scholars will resist urges to consider these new-found “sayings” and “scriptures” canonical contenders, all recognize their importance. What can be learned from the Dead Sea Scrolls concerning the canon of the Old Testament? 2 What is the relation of the “Gospel of Thomas” to the canonical gospels ? 3

But there are other reasons why the question of canon is enjoying a renaissance. Ecumenics is one, New Theology another, and Vatican Two pronouncements on Scripture cannot be overlooked.

The National Council of Churches of Christ, spurred by a constituent denomination which uses the apocrypha in liturgical readings, authorized the revision of the apocrypha by its Standard Bible Committee. 4 The Revised Standard Version of the Apocrypha was made in 1957 and last year appeared bound with the Old and New Testaments in the Oxford Annotated Bible. 5 Floyd Filson may be revealing the motivation of the

BETS 10:1 (Winter 1967) p. 16

NCCC when he remarks, “this revision will force the Protestant Churches to consider what books they should include in their Bible.”6

The German New Testament scholar Kurt Aland considers the different canons of the parts of the Christian church, more than a symptom, indeed the cause of the intolerable malady of a divided church! 7 A renewed interest in the Scriptures—what they are and w...

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