What is the biblical canon?
Quick answer
The canon is the official list of books the church recognizes as inspired Scripture. Protestants count 66 books (39 Old Testament + 27 New); other traditions include additional books.
The Hebrew Scriptures were settled by the time of Jesus. The New Testament canon emerged gradually as the church recognized which apostolic writings carried God's authority.
The 27 New Testament books were widely accepted by the end of the second century and formally affirmed in the late fourth.
The "canon" is not an arbitrary church choice but the church's recognition of books God himself authored through his servants.
Original BibleDawn answer · reviewed 2026-06-07. Drafted with AI assistance and reviewed for accuracy.