The ancient churches assumed the inspiration of their
Scriptures, but to what extent did inspiration play a part in the canonizing
process? Irenaeus, for example, makes it clear that the Scriptures, even when
they are not clearly understood, “were spoken by the Word of God and by His
Spirit” (Haer. 2.28.2, ANF). This appears on the surface to be more of
an after recognition based on whether the truth that had been handed
down through apostolic succession (the regula fidei) was portrayed in
the writings in question. Origen maintained that “the Scriptures were written
by the Spirit of God, and have a meaning, not such only as is apparent at first
sight, but also another which escapes the notice of most” (First Principles,
Preface 8, ANF). Seeking to discredit the Doctrine of Peter, he says
that he can show that it was not written by Peter “Or by any other person
inspired by the Spirit of God” (First Principles, Preface 8, ANF). The operating
assumption here, of course, is that Scripture is inspired, but heresy and
falsehood are not. The criterion for determining a text’s inspiration is not
easily recognized apart from its affirmation of the church’s core tradition
passed on in the early churches. (Lee Martin McDonald, The
Formation of the Biblical Canon, 2 vols. [London: Bloomsbury T&T Clark,
2017], 2:343)
Further Reading:
Everett R. Kalin, "The
Inspired Community: A Glance at Canon History," Concordia
Theological Monthly 42 (1971): 541-59
