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by Matthew Y. Emerson (Author)
While most modern canon studies focus on the historical and empirical processes that produced Scripture's final form, this innovative work argues that the canon must be understood first as a theological reality. Far from being a merely historical artifact, the canon is a living witness that shapes, and is shaped by, the doctrines of the Christian faith.
Matthew Emerson offers a fresh approach that situates the question of canon within its proper dogmatic context. Surveying the history of scholarship on the canon, he shows how prevailing approaches have overlooked the theological dimension of Scripture's unity and authority. By recovering this dimension, Emerson illuminates how the canonical form of Scripture informs the church's understanding of key doctrines.
Professors and seminary students as well as pastors and lay readers seeking a deeper understanding of canon, doctrine, and hermeneutics will benefit from this volume.
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How the Biblical Canon Shapes and Is Shaped by the Doctrines of the Christian Faith
This book explains the theological significance of Scripture's canonical form and reveals the importance of the canon for various doctrines.
"Emerson draws systematically on a wide range of doctrines to provide a theological account of the canon's divine origin, unified christological content, and ecclesial function. The result: a valuable account of both what the canon is (a theological rule) and how it should be read (in a theologically ruled manner)."
--Kevin J. Vanhoozer, Litfin Divinity School, Wheaton College
"I can think of fewer more pressing issues than the need for a dogmatic account of canon and its implications for Christian reading of the Bible. I am grateful to Emerson for moving the conversation toward a more rigorously dogmatic account of canon."
--Darian R. Lockett, Talbot School of Theology, Biola University
"This volume fills a gap in current scholarship and provides a thoughtful contribution to the study of Scripture and canon. Recommended without hesitation!"
--Ched Spellman, Cedarville University
"Emerson's compelling theological account of what canon is and how it is formed offers a needed framework for understanding Scripture rightly. An important and engaging book that deserves a wide readership."
--Stephen Presley, Center for Religion, Culture & Democracy; Southern Seminary
"Christ is the Lord of his church and rules it through his Word, but that Word itself has a particular shape, a rule, a canon whose contours distinguish it--and therefore must distinguish our approach to it--from every other text. Emerson lays out that shape with clarity and discriminating judgment by situating it dogmatically in relation to the sweep of Christian revelation. An illuminating study that I highly commend."
--Derek Rishmawy, UC Irvine; author of The Fire of Glory
"A wide-ranging book on the Protestant Christian canon. There are many works on the phenomenology of canon (lists, manuscripts, citations) but very few that consider the deeper theological and philosophical implications of canon. Here is such a book!"
--Stephen G. Dempster, Crandall University (emeritus)
Author Biography
Matthew Y. Emerson (PhD, Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary) is vice president of academic operations and partnerships at Oklahoma Baptist University in Shawnee, Oklahoma. He is the author or coauthor of several books, including The Story of Scripture: An Introduction to Biblical Theology and Beholding the Triune God: The Inseparable Work of Father, Son, and Spirit. Emerson also serves as one of the executive directors of the Center for Baptist Renewal.
