The origins, development, and continuing viability of the various biblical canons remain hot topics for scholarly discussion. As historical study of the shape of the canon in diverse ancient times and places intensifies, fundamental but complex issues emerge. Many biblical interpreters now pay special attention to canonical context. Others propose adding to or deleting from the canon. Still others question the very concept of a canon on historical, textual, and theological grounds. In this major collection of studies, thirty-one leading scholars discuss the state of contemporary research on aspects of canonicity pertaining to their own areas of expertise.

Includes bibliographical references and index.