The views expressed in this article are of the author only and do not necessarily represent those of the Center for Pastor Theologians.
Creating the Canon: Composition, Controversy, and the Authority of the New Testament
Benjamin P. Laird
IVP Academic (2023). 272 pp.
Benjamin P. Laird’s Creating the Canon is a useful, comprehensive yet succinct guide to the content and composition of the NT canon. Laird’s goal was to write a book that would function as “an accessible guide to those with limited prior study of the background of the New Testament writings while encouraging further dialogue in the scholarly community about specific subjects that have not been adequately explored or possibly even misunderstood” (p. 4). And further, though not meant to be comprehensive, Laird wants his book to hone in on “subjects that relate to the composition, formation, or authority of the New Testament that received only limited attention or have been misconstrued in some way” (p. 4). Laird succeeds in both of his goals, sifting evidence with an even hand and bringing his depth of scholarship to bear on discussion that those with little training in biblical studies should still be able to follow.
After a short introduction the book is divided into three parts. The first part deals with questions of the composition of the NT, as well as original autographs and readers. Laird reminds us that the use of secretaries or amanuenses was common in the first century. He explains that, given high illiteracy rates, the NT writings were likely heard by many first-generation Christians rather than read. Moreover, Laird tells us that the four evangelists likely consulted eyewitnesses and “may have read their work before a smaller audience prior to the public release of their finished work, inviting feedback on specific ways in which they might present a more effective and memorable presentation of their material” (pp. 15–16, 20, 33). Laird also suggests that our concept of an “original autograph” for each text of Scripture may be out of place. Rather, it is plausible that there were many copies of a text made after an authorial edition or even that many of these authorial editions were produced simultaneously by multiple amanuenses writing at once (p. 49). It is an intriguing idea, which has implications for evangelical assertions about inerrancy, as Laird points out.
The second part of the book looks more at the way the NT canon took shape, including theological controversies that made their mark on the canon, the early witnesses to its shape, and the subcollections that we can find within it. This includes a discussion on Marcion, the 50 Bibles of Constantine, and the Council of Nicaea, which, as Laird points out, despite common assumptions, “there is simply no historical evidence to suggest that the council made any binding declarations related to the content of the canon” (p. 110). Laird also offers a detailed survey of the important early textual witnesses to the NT canon. He discusses how textual units like the fourfold gospels and the Pauline corpus circulated independently of other subcollections.
Finally, part 3 looks at the theme of apostolicity and defines what apostolic authorship might have meant and how it was brought to bear on the canon. Apostolicity is an important element of the NT’s authority for Laird and he grapples with the confusing nature of just what “apostolicity” means “because of the fact that several works in the New Testament do not appear to have been written directly by the apostles” (p. 190). This is not overly problematic for Laird, because “early Christian readers did not limit their recognition of apostolic authorship to the Twelve or Apostle Paul,” given that “there seems to have been a larger body of individuals who were associated with the apostolic community than what is typically recognized today” (pp. 190–91).
There is much to commend about this book. Even if the writing is sometimes a little flat, it is clear and free of over-technical terms or jargon, meaning that even fresh students of biblical studies should be able to track with Laird. This book is also an excellent resource for pastors and their congregations for the same reasons. Laird has an extensive knowledge of biblical studies and early church history, which he synthesizes in a way that is understandable without sacrificing clarity.
Perhaps two quibbles, one over which Laird has some control and one over which he does not.
First, while Laird’s descriptive presentation of canonical approaches to Scripture was fine (pp. 212–16), I would have liked him to be a little more critical. He notes that many scholars find Brevard Childs and his successors compelling (as do I!), but I wonder what Laird really thinks about this?
Second, the ink in my copy of the book was smudged in a few places. Of course, Laird has no control over this. I wonder if my copy was just an anomaly or if this is true of many copies. In either case, it is too bad.
Cole Hartin (PhD, University of Toronto and Wycliffe College) is the Associate Rector of Christ Church Episcopal in Tyler, TX. He is a member of the St. Basil Fellowship of the Center for Pastor Theologians.
