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Before There Was a Bible: Authorities in Early Christianity Paperback – February 23, 2023

by Lee Martin McDonald (Author)
4.8 4.8 out of 5 stars 5 ratings
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How did authority function before the bible as we know it emerged? Lee Martin McDonald examines the authorities that existed from the Church's beginning: the appeal to the texts containing the words of Jesus, and that would become the New Testament, the not yet finalized Hebrew Scriptures (referred to mostly in Greek) and the apostolic leadership of the churches.

McDonald traces several sacred core traditions that broadly identified the essence of Christianity before there was a bible summarized in early creeds, hymns and spiritual songs, baptismal and Eucharistic affirmations, and in lectionaries and catalogues from the fourth century and following. McDonald shoes how those traditions were included in the early Christian writings later recognized as the New Testament. He also shows how Christians were never fully agreed on the scope of their Old Testament canon (Hebrew scriptures) and that it took centuries before there was universal acceptance of all of the books now included in the Christian bible. Further, McDonald shows that whilst writings such as the canonical gospels were read as authoritative texts likely from their beginning, they were not yet called or cited as scripture. What was cited in an authoritative manner were the words of Jesus in those texts, alongside the multiple affirmations and creeds that were circulated in the early Church and formed its key authorities and core sacred traditions.

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  1. Print length
    264 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Publisher
    T&T Clark
  4. Publication date
    February 23, 2023
  5. Dimensions
    6.6 x 0.65 x 9.5 inches
  6. ISBN-10
    0567705781
  7. ISBN-13
    978-0567705785
  8. See all details
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Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Lee Martin McDonald is President Emeritus and Professor of New Testament at Acadia Divinity College, Acadia University, Canada. He is also President of the Institute for Biblical Research.

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ T&T Clark (February 23, 2023)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Paperback ‏ : ‎ 264 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0567705781
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0567705785
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 1 pounds
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 6.6 x 0.65 x 9.5 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.8 4.8 out of 5 stars 5 ratings

About the author

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Lee Martin McDonald

Lee Martin McDonald

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Rev. Lee Martin McDonald, Ph.D.

Professor of New Testament Studies

President, Institute for Biblical Research, (2006-2012)

Retired

EDUCATION

B.A., Biola University, La Mirada, California, 1964.

B.D., Talbot Theological Seminary, La Mirada, California 1969. (Magna Cum Laude)

Th.M., Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts, 1985 (Honors). Major in New Testament History and Patristics. Thesis: An Examination of the Origins of the Christian Biblical Canon. (Supervised by Professor Helmut Koester)

Ph.D., University of Edinburgh, Scotland, 1976. Focus: New Testament Studies. Thesis title: The Resurrection of Jesus in History and Faith. (Supervisor: Professor Hugh A. Anderson)

I have published several books and articles on canon formation, that is the origin and development of the Bible, as well as other New Testament themes. I continue to give courses and lectures in New Testament subjects at various institutions as well as in various churches and pastoral associations.

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