How was the Biblical Canon Determined?

All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness;

2 Timothy 3:16; New American Standard Bible

Learning, correction and training in righteousness sound like worthy objectives to many but how can we know which writings of antiquity are scriptural? Which ones can we profit from? The Bible includes 66 books grouped into Old and New Testament parts. Multiple books known as the Apocrypha are considered canonical by the Roman Catholic Church but not by most other Christians. By what process were the different books included in the Canon and what books were excluded?

Norman Geisler expounds on Bible Canonicity in an entry found in the Baker Encyclopedia of Christian Apologetics. Geisler explains that the authority of scripture is established by God and discovered by God's people. The church does not determine scripture it discovers it. Establishing scripture is certainly within the capabilities of an all-powerful God but how do God's people, with all their limitations, go about the discovery of it.

Road map clues are found in scripture. Scripture was written by a select group of individuals through whom divine inspiration was effected. God's prophets distinguished themselves from false prophets through miracles enabled by God and performed through them. God's prophets also spoke the truth. Written records at variance with biblical truths signaled a false messenger. Miracles provided affirmation for authentic prophets. The testimony of an authentic prophet confers credibility to writings. A prophet's testimony leads to discovery of canonicity.

There is a sequential element connected to the discovery process. The many books of the Bible were written over a period of many centuries. The earlier books establish doctrinal foundations by which subsequent writings can be assessed. A writing not doctrinally consistent with earlier books could be ruled out of the Canon. Writing that is consistent with scripture and writing which confirms biblical prophecy signal canonical candidacy.

Accuracy is a major focal point. Accuracy encompasses historic data, moral themes and scriptural doctrine. The presence of errors indicates exclusion. Conversely inclusion in the Canon indicates an authentic message. That which "is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness" should be accurate and truthful. Scripture will not contain historic inaccuracies. The many times and places recorded in biblical accounts can be and has been confirmed by archeological discoveries.

The church then has been guided by consideration of authors and their relationship to God. The testimony of a credible author can be conclusive. Conformity to truth and accuracy are also canonical guides. God established the credibility Moses, Peter, Paul and others through miracles. The historic nature of the recorded books also allowed for assessment of new writings by the doctrinal foundation established by existing scripture. Inaccuracies signaled exclusion.