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What is the Canon?
The word "canon" means "standard" or "rule." It is the list of authoritative and inspired
Scriptures. Different religions have different canons.
In Judaism the canon consists of the books of the old Testament only.
In Protestant Christianity, the canon is the body of scripture comprised in the Bible consisting of the 39 books
in the Old Testament and 27 in the New Testament.
In Roman Catholicism, additional books were added in 1546. These books are known as the apocryphal books: Tobit,
Judith, 1 and 2 Maccabees, The Wisdom of Solomon, Ecclesiasticus (Sirach), and Baruch. I need to add here that Roman Catholicism
maintains that the apocrypha was always inspired along with the Eastern Orthodox, Coptic and Armenian churches. The Protestant
movement has not accepted the apocrypha.
In Mormonism, four additional books have been added to the Canon: The book of Mormon, the Book of Abraham, the Doctrine
and Covenants, and the Pearl of Great Price.
In Christian Science an additional book has been added to the Canon. This additional book is called "Science
and Health with Key to the Scriptures" written by Mary Baker Eddy.
In Islam, their inspired book is called the Quran.
The Protestant Christian Canon
Old Testament New Testament
Pentateuch - 5 books
Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, Deuteronomy
Historical Books - 12 books
Joshua, Judges, Ruth, First Samuel, Second Samuel, First Kings, Second Kings, First Chronicles, Second Chronicles,
Ezra, Nehemiah, Esther.
Poetical - 5 books
Job, Psalms, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, Song of Solomon
Prophetical - 17 books
Major Prophets - Isaiah, Jeremiah, Lamentations, Ezekiel, Daniel
Minor Prophets - Hosea, Joel, Amos, Obadiah, Jonah, Micah, Nahum, Habakkuk, Zephaniah, Haggai, Zechariah, Malachi
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