Exploring the Origins of the Bible: Canon Formation in Historical, Literary, and Theological Perspective

Craig A. Evans (PhD, Claremont Graduate University) is Payzant Distinguished Professor of New Testament at Acadia Divinity College in Wolfville, Nova Scotia, and is the author of more than thirty books. Emanuel Tov (PhD, Hebrew University) is J. L. Magnes Professor of Bible at Hebrew University in Jerusalem and editor-in-chief of the Dead Sea Scrolls Publication Project. He was awarded the Israel Prize 2009 for his research in the Bible.

Emanuel Tov (Ph.D., Hebrew University) is J. L. Magnes Professor of Bible at Hebrew University in Jerusalem and editor-in-chief of the Dead Sea Scrolls Publication Project.

Craig A. Evans (Ph.D., Claremont Graduate University) is Payzant Distinguished Professor of New Testament at Acadia Divinity College in Wolfville, Nova Scotia, and is the author of more than thirty books.

For those who want to go deeper in their understanding of the canon of Scripture, leading international scholars provide cutting-edge perspectives on various facets of the biblical writings, how those writings became canonical Scripture, and why canon matters. Craig Evans begins with an explanation of the different versions of the Hebrew Bible (Masoretic Text, Septuagint, Targum, Vulgate, etc.) as well as the books of the Apocrypha and the Pseudepigrapha, for those new to the field. Then Septuagint and Dead Sea Scrolls expert Emanuel Tov delves into the complexities of biblical writing and the importance of the Septuagint in biblical studies. James H. Charlesworth of Princeton Theological Seminary explains “canon” and the development of canons in various Jewish and Christian communities. Stephen Dempster addresses the much-debated tripartite canon of the Hebrew Scriptures. Glenn Wooden explores the role of the Septuagint in the formation of biblical canons. Craig Evans critically investigates the usefulness of extracanonical Gospels for historical Jesus research. Stanley Porter explores the relationship of Paul to the process of canonization. Lee McDonald raises the question of authority. And bringing the discussion to an interesting conclusion, Jonathan Wilson addresses the theological implications of canon. The result is a thought-provoking book that concludes with discussion of an issue at the fore today—the theological implications of canon.