$39.95
FREE Returns
FREE delivery Sunday, May 12
Or fastest delivery Wednesday, May 8. Order within 22 hrs 44 mins
Only 14 left in stock (more on the way).
$$39.95 () Includes selected options. Includes initial monthly payment and selected options. Details
Price
Subtotal
$$39.95
Subtotal
Initial payment breakdown
Shipping cost, delivery date, and order total (including tax) shown at checkout.
Ships from
Amazon.com
Ships from
Amazon.com
Sold by
Amazon.com
Sold by
Amazon.com
Returns
Eligible for Return, Refund or Replacement within 30 days of receipt
Eligible for Return, Refund or Replacement within 30 days of receipt
This item can be returned in its original condition for a full refund or replacement within 30 days of receipt.
Read full return policy
Returns
Eligible for Return, Refund or Replacement within 30 days of receipt
This item can be returned in its original condition for a full refund or replacement within 30 days of receipt.
Read full return policy
Payment
Secure transaction
Your transaction is secure
We work hard to protect your security and privacy. Our payment security system encrypts your information during transmission. We don’t share your credit card details with third-party sellers, and we don’t sell your information to others. Learn more
Payment
Secure transaction
We work hard to protect your security and privacy. Our payment security system encrypts your information during transmission. We don’t share your credit card details with third-party sellers, and we don’t sell your information to others. Learn more
Amazon book clubs early access
Loading your book clubs
There was a problem loading your book clubs. Please try again.
Not in a club? Learn more
Amazon book clubs early access

Join or create book clubs

Choose books together

Track your books
Bring your club to Amazon Book Clubs, start a new book club and invite your friends to join, or find a club that’s right for you for free.
Explore Amazon Book Clubs
Kindle app logo image

Download the free Kindle app and start reading Kindle books instantly on your smartphone, tablet, or computer - no Kindle device required.

Read instantly on your browser with Kindle for Web.

Using your mobile phone camera - scan the code below and download the Kindle app.

QR code to download the Kindle App

Follow the author

Lee Martin McDonald
Follow
Something went wrong. Please try your request again later.

Before There Was a Bible: Authorities in Early Christianity Paperback – February 23, 2023

by Lee Martin McDonald (Author)
4.8 4.8 out of 5 stars 5 ratings
See all formats and editions
{"desktop_buybox_group_1":[{"displayPrice":"$39.95","priceAmount":39.95,"currencySymbol":"$","integerValue":"39","decimalSeparator":".","fractionalValue":"95","symbolPosition":"left","hasSpace":false,"showFractionalPartIfEmpty":true,"offerListingId":"K1T2%2ByLufYsHR0om8liiaGI89WYEbXwfD28kpkMIiiHME2nQFTxKtZB0SqqIUHmakC43YJi8zaix024%2BShp6Ff7Rm%2BLAS3M29WEqToBs7k6shL9JBfAkUEWQbTi9ERUhNUIqcKekXxHr%2FFGsMNnxWA%3D%3D","locale":"en-US","buyingOptionType":"NEW","aapiBuyingOptionIndex":0}]}

Purchase options and add-ons

How did authority function before the bible as we know it emerged? Lee Martin McDonald examines the authorities that existed from the Church's beginning: the appeal to the texts containing the words of Jesus, and that would become the New Testament, the not yet finalized Hebrew Scriptures (referred to mostly in Greek) and the apostolic leadership of the churches.

McDonald traces several sacred core traditions that broadly identified the essence of Christianity before there was a bible summarized in early creeds, hymns and spiritual songs, baptismal and Eucharistic affirmations, and in lectionaries and catalogues from the fourth century and following. McDonald shoes how those traditions were included in the early Christian writings later recognized as the New Testament. He also shows how Christians were never fully agreed on the scope of their Old Testament canon (Hebrew scriptures) and that it took centuries before there was universal acceptance of all of the books now included in the Christian bible. Further, McDonald shows that whilst writings such as the canonical gospels were read as authoritative texts likely from their beginning, they were not yet called or cited as scripture. What was cited in an authoritative manner were the words of Jesus in those texts, alongside the multiple affirmations and creeds that were circulated in the early Church and formed its key authorities and core sacred traditions.

Previous page
  1. Print length
    264 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Publisher
    T&T Clark
  4. Publication date
    February 23, 2023
  5. Dimensions
    6.6 x 0.65 x 9.5 inches
  6. ISBN-10
    0567705781
  7. ISBN-13
    978-0567705785
  8. See all details
Next page
The Amazon Book Review
The Amazon Book Review
Book recommendations, author interviews, editors' picks, and more. Read it now

Frequently bought together

Before There Was a Bible: Authorities in Early Christianity
$39.95
Get it as soon as Sunday, May 12
Only 14 left in stock (more on the way).
Ships from and sold by Amazon.com.
+
The Biblical Canon: Its Origin, Transmission, and Authority
$35.99
Get it as soon as Monday, May 13
In Stock
Ships from and sold by Amazon.com.
Total price:
To see our price, add these items to your cart.
Details
Added to Cart
One of these items ships sooner than the other.
Show details Hide details
Choose items to buy together.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Lee Martin McDonald is President Emeritus and Professor of New Testament at Acadia Divinity College, Acadia University, Canada. He is also President of the Institute for Biblical Research.

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ T&T Clark (February 23, 2023)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Paperback ‏ : ‎ 264 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0567705781
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0567705785
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 1 pounds
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 6.6 x 0.65 x 9.5 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.8 4.8 out of 5 stars 5 ratings

About the author

Follow authors to get new release updates, plus improved recommendations.
Lee Martin McDonald

Lee Martin McDonald

Brief content visible, double tap to read full content.
Full content visible, double tap to read brief content.

Rev. Lee Martin McDonald, Ph.D.

Professor of New Testament Studies

President, Institute for Biblical Research, (2006-2012)

Retired

EDUCATION

B.A., Biola University, La Mirada, California, 1964.

B.D., Talbot Theological Seminary, La Mirada, California 1969. (Magna Cum Laude)

Th.M., Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts, 1985 (Honors). Major in New Testament History and Patristics. Thesis: An Examination of the Origins of the Christian Biblical Canon. (Supervised by Professor Helmut Koester)

Ph.D., University of Edinburgh, Scotland, 1976. Focus: New Testament Studies. Thesis title: The Resurrection of Jesus in History and Faith. (Supervisor: Professor Hugh A. Anderson)

I have published several books and articles on canon formation, that is the origin and development of the Bible, as well as other New Testament themes. I continue to give courses and lectures in New Testament subjects at various institutions as well as in various churches and pastoral associations.

Customer reviews

4.8 out of 5 stars
4.8 out of 5
5 global ratings

No customer reviews

There are 0 customer reviews and 5 customer ratings.