Church history
Canon & Scripture Formation Quiz
How did the books of the Bible come to be collected and recognised? This quiz covers the history of the biblical canon and early copies of Scripture.
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Which of the following was a reason why some books were disputed in the canon?
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Answer: A. Unclear authorship
Books were often disputed based on factors such as unclear authorship or lack of widespread acceptance.
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Around what year is the Muratorian Fragment believed to have been written?
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Answer: A. 170 AD
The Muratorian Fragment, an early list of New Testament books, is thought to have been compiled around 170 AD.
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Which early Christian writing helped guide the church in recognizing the New Testament canon?
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Answer: D. The writings of Irenaeus
The writings of church fathers and early Christian documents helped shape the discussion around the New Testament canon.
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Which criterion for canonicity refers to the use of a text by a wide number of churches?
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Answer: C. Universality
The criterion of universality ensured that a text was widely accepted and used across different Christian communities.
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Which council is traditionally associated with settling the New Testament canon?
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Answer: C. Council of Carthage
The Council of Carthage in 397 AD is often associated with the finalization of the New Testament canon.
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Which book was considered disputed but later accepted into the canon?
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Answer: B. Revelation
Books like Revelation faced initial skepticism but were eventually accepted as canonical.
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Which criterion for canonicity emphasized the consistency of a book's teachings with accepted Christian doctrine?
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Answer: C. Orthodoxy
Orthodoxy ensured that the teachings in a book aligned with the core beliefs of the Christian faith.
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Approximately when was the Muratorian Fragment composed?
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Answer: C. Late 2nd century
The Muratorian Fragment is generally dated to the late 2nd century, around 170-180 AD.
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Which of the following was NOT a criterion for canonicity in the early church?
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Answer: B. Alignment with Roman culture
The early church did not consider the alignment with Roman culture when determining canonicity.
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What role did 'catholicity' play in determining the New Testament canon?
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Answer: D. It referred to the universal acceptance and usage of a book
Catholicity refers to the universal acceptance and usage of a book across the Christian community.
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The Muratorian Fragment is significant because it is:
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Answer: A. An early list of New Testament books
The Muratorian Fragment is one of the earliest lists of New Testament books, dating from the late 2nd century.
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What was one of the primary criteria used by early church leaders to determine the canonicity of a New Testament book?
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Answer: A. Apostolic authorship
Apostolic authorship was important because it linked the text directly to the teachings of Jesus and the early church.
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Which church father is known for his Easter Letter in 367 AD, which listed the 27 books of the New Testament as canonical?
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Answer: C. Athanasius
Athanasius' Easter Letter is a pivotal document in the history of the New Testament canon.
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Which of the following books was NOT among the Antilegomena, the disputed books of the New Testament?
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Answer: A. 1 Thessalonians
The term 'Antilegomena' refers to books that were initially disputed before gaining acceptance into the New Testament canon.
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Answer key
- A. Unclear authorship
- A. 170 AD
- D. The writings of Irenaeus
- C. Universality
- C. Council of Carthage
- B. Revelation
- C. Orthodoxy
- C. Late 2nd century
- B. Alignment with Roman culture
- D. It referred to the universal acceptance and usage of a book
- A. An early list of New Testament books
- A. Apostolic authorship
- C. Athanasius
- A. 1 Thessalonians
Using this quiz with a group
These questions work well for Sunday school, youth group, small groups and family devotions. Read each question aloud, let everyone answer, then read the explanation together. Use the print button for a worksheet with an answer key at the end.