The Canon of Scripture

(According to Francis Turretin, highlights)

1. What Do We Mean by “Canon”?

The canon of Scripture is the fixed list of books that God has given to His church as His Word.
The word canon means a rule or measuring line. Scripture is the rule by which all faith and life are measured.

The canon is not what the church approves, but what God has inspired.

“All Scripture is breathed out by God.” (2 Timothy 3:16)

2. Who Determines the Canon—God or the Church?

Turretin is very clear:

God alone makes a book Scripture.
The church does not create the canon; the church only recognizes it.

• God gives His Word by inspiration.

• The church receives it by faith.

• The church testifies to it, but does not give it authority.

Just as a jeweler does not make gold by identifying it,
so the church does not make Scripture by approving it.

“The sheep hear His voice.” (John 10:27)

3. How Is the Canon Known to Us?

Turretin teaches that we know the canon in two ways:

(1) Objectively – By the marks within Scripture itself

The true books of Scripture show divine qualities, such as:

• Heavenly truth

• Perfect holiness

• Unity of doctrine

• Power to convict and convert sinners

• Harmony with the rest of Scripture

These are not human traits. They are the fingerprints of God.

“The law of the LORD is perfect, reviving the soul.” (Psalm 19:7)

(2) Subjectively – By the witness of the Holy Spirit

The Holy Spirit opens the heart to recognize God’s voice in Scripture.

This does not mean a new revelation or a feeling.
It means spiritual sight—God enabling us to see what is already there.

“My sheep hear my voice.” (John 10:27)

4. Does the Authority of Scripture Depend on the Church?

Turretin firmly says No.

• Scripture has authority in itself because it comes from God.

• It does not become authoritative because the church declares it so.

• The church stands under the Word, not over it.

If Scripture depended on the church:

• God’s Word would rest on human judgment.

• Faith would rest on men, not on God.

• The foundation of truth would be uncertain.

“If the trumpet gives an uncertain sound, who will prepare for battle?” (1 Corinthians 14:8)

5. What About the Apocrypha?

Turretin rejects the Apocrypha as Scripture because:

• They were not written by prophets

• They contradict clear Scripture

• They were never received by the Jewish church

• Christ and the apostles never treated them as Scripture

They may contain history, but history is not inspiration.

“To the law and to the testimony! If they do not speak according to this word, it is because they have no dawn.” (Isaiah 8:20)

6. Why Is a Fixed Canon Necessary?

A fixed canon is necessary because:

• Without it, truth becomes uncertain

• The church would be ruled by tradition

• Every age could add new “Scripture”

• Faith would have no firm foundation

God, in His wisdom, closed the canon so that His people would never be confused about His will.

“The faith… once for all delivered to the saints.” (Jude 3)

7. Summary in Plain Words

• God alone decides what Scripture is.

• The church does not give Scripture authority.

• Scripture proves itself by its divine character.

• The Holy Spirit enables believers to recognize God’s Word.

• The canon is complete, sufficient, and unchangeable.