FACTORS INVOLVED IN THE PROCESS OF
1. Conflicts
with heresy
2. Persecution
(Diocletian 303-313)
3. Constantine’s
contribution – ordered Eusebius to come up with a list of books to be made into
50 copies to be distributed to the Churches within the Empire.
4. Use
in the Church. Eusebius took those books which were used in the Church.
5. Christian
thinkers/early church fathers
Criteria
1.
Apostolocity
and Antiquity: Apostolic period-formed in the earlier
stage in the formation of the church. Apostolicity most important criteria.
From an early time any book that was named by the apostolic authorship was
valid.
2.
Traditional
use: The primary base for the inclusion of
any document in the canon was its long standing, wide spread and well
established use among Christian communities.
3.
Catholicity:
In order to
be authoritative the document had to be relevant to the church as a whole.
4.
Orthodoxy:
Whether the writings confront to a widely accepted
canon of faith i.e.its content had to correspond with the faith and practice of
the church as that was generally understood.
5.
Inspirational:
Inspired word
of God, divine province.
6.
Adaptability:
Applicable to the situations.
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