Cannonize this book

I've read part or all of this book several times, as the multiple highlightings & margin notes in my treasured copy attest. It is readable and accessible to the reader just beginning to learn about how we received our Christian canon of Scripture, while it is not the least beneath the intelligence of the advanced student of the Bible. I've used it in teaching Bible Classes on the canon at our Lutheran church & have seen its appeal to those making honest inquiry at all levels of familiarity. Bruce is unapologetic and effective in his "conservative" approach, & make his case convincingly. I've been impressed at how even "liberal" commentators who arrive at different conclusions nevertheless feel compelled to quote him -- with respect -- as THE authority of the counterpoint to their position. If you read only one book on the formation of the Christian Biblical canon, THIS is the one I MUST recommend. It is scholarly but not in the least arrogant. While Bruce is confident in his orhthoxy, he is also completely intellectually honest and is unafraid in appreciating the most probing, critical inquiry. This book has my highest recommendation.

Holy Words of Holy Book

Amazing that this work is almost twenty years old now. Still salient and so pertinent to wild rampage of Gnostic Gospels et al that are now appearing attacking Biblical witness.^M

Excellent Scholarship

This is an excellently researched work by a master in the field. Bruce discusses all aspects of the history of canonization with depth and precision. He includes many interesting asides, yet maintains a thoroughly orthodox perspective. It turns out that the New Testament authors quote from the Samaritan Pentateuch at times. That the Old Testament canon really wasn't finally decided until Luther's time. That the earliest references to II Peter are late 2nd century, claiming it to be psuedopyphrigal or questionable at best. These and many other pearls await the reader of the text.^M