After nearly nineteen centuries, the content of the canon is still debated by Christians and scholars. Who decided what the canon should include? What criteria were used? In this significant study, F.F. Bruce brings the wisdom of a lifetime to bear in answering questions and clearing away confusion about the Christian canon.

He examines the historical evidence for acceptance of the canon and addresses several central issues: the criteria of canonicity, the idea of a canon within the canon, and canonical criticism.