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| (For 367.) Of the particular books and their number, which are accepted by the Church. From the thirty-ninth Letter of Holy Athanasius, Bishop of Alexandria, on the Paschal festival; wherein he defines canonically what are the divine books which are accepted by the Church.
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From Letter
XXXIX.—(For 367.) Of the particular books and their
number, which are accepted by the Church. From the thirty-ninth Letter
of Holy Athanasius, Bishop of Alexandria, on the Paschal festival;
wherein he defines canonically what are the divine books which are
accepted by the Church.
…1. They have4539
| 4539 This
section is preserved in the Coptic (Memphitic) Life of S. Theodore
(Amélineau Ann. du Musée Guimet. xvii. p. 239). Its
contents and the context in which it is quoted appear decisive for its
identification as part of Letter 39. But the Letter from which
the fragment comes is stated in the context to have been received by
Theodore in the spring previous to his death. If Theodore died in 364,
as seems probable on other grounds (see p. 569, note 3), the speech
from which our fragment comes must have been written for him by his
biographer. This is not unlikely, nor does it throw any suspicion on
the genuineness of the fragment itself. |
fabricated books which they call books of tables4540
| 4540 Copt. ἀπογράμμων: astrological charts or tables appear to be
meant. | , in which they shew stars, to which they
give the names of Saints. And therein of a truth they have inflicted on
themselves a double reproach: those who have written such books,
because they have perfected themselves in a lying and contemptible
science; and as to the ignorant and simple, they have led them astray
by evil thoughts concerning the right faith established in all truth
and upright in the presence of God.
…2. But4541
| 4541 The
remainder of the thirty-ninth Letter has long been before the world,
having been preserved, with the heading of the Letter, in the original
Greek, by Theodorus Balsamon. It may be found in the first volume of
the Benedictine edition of the works of S. Athan. tom. i. p. 767. ed.
1777. [Migne, ubi supra]. A Syriac translation of it was
discovered by Cureton in an anonymous Commentary on the Scriptures in
the collection of the British Museum (Cod. 12, 168). This
translation commences only at the quotation from S. Luke. The Syriac is
apparently the work of a different translator. | since we have
made mention of heretics as dead, but of ourselves as possessing the
Divine Scriptures for salvation; and since I fear lest, as Paul wrote
to the Corinthians4542
, some few of the
simple should be beguiled from their simplicity and purity, by the
subtilty of certain men, and should henceforth read other
books—those called apocryphal—led astray by the similarity
of their names with the true books; I beseech you to bear patiently, if
I also write, by way of remembrance, of matters with which you are
acquainted, influenced by the need and advantage of the Church.
3. In proceeding to make mention of these things,
I shall adopt, to commend my undertaking, the pattern of Luke the
Evangelist, saying on my own account: ‘Forasmuch as some have
taken in hand4543
,’ to reduce
into order for themselves the books termed apocryphal, and to mix them
up with the divinely inspired Scripture, concerning which we have been
fully persuaded, as they who from the beginning were eyewitnesses and
ministers of the Word, delivered to the fathers; it seemed good to me also, having been urged thereto by
true brethren, and having learned from the beginning, to set before you
the books included in the Canon, and handed down, and accredited as
Divine; to the end that any one who has fallen into error may condemn
those who have led him astray; and that he who has continued stedfast
in purity may again rejoice, having these things brought to his
remembrance.
4. There are, then, of the Old Testament,
twenty-two books in number; for, as I have heard, it is handed down
that this is the number of the letters among the Hebrews; their
respective order and names being as follows. The first is Genesis, then
Exodus, next Leviticus, after that Numbers, and then Deuteronomy.
Following these there is Joshua, the son of Nun, then Judges, then
Ruth. And again, after these four books of Kings, the first and second
being reckoned as one book, and so likewise the third and fourth as one
book. And again, the first and second of the Chronicles are reckoned as
one book. Again Ezra, the first and second4544
| 4544 i.e.
Ezra and Nehemiah. |
are similarly one book. After these there is the book of Psalms, then
the Proverbs, next Ecclesiastes, and the Song of Songs. Job follows,
then the Prophets, the twelve being reckoned as one book. Then Isaiah,
one book, then Jeremiah with Baruch, Lamentations, and4545
| 4545 i.e. Baruch vi.—The Syriac has the conjunction, which is rejected by
the Benedictine editors. | the epistle, one book; afterwards, Ezekiel
and Daniel, each one book. Thus far constitutes the Old Testament.
5. Again it is not tedious to speak of the
[books] of the New Testament. These are, the four Gospels, according to
Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. Afterwards, the Acts of the Apostles and
Epistles (called Catholic), seven, viz. of James, one; of Peter, two;
of John, three; after these, one of Jude. In addition, there are
fourteen Epistles of Paul, written in this order. The first, to the
Romans; then two to the Corinthians; after these, to the Galatians;
next, to the Ephesians; then to the Philippians; then to the
Colossians; after these, two to the Thessalonians, and that to the
Hebrews; and again, two to Timothy; one to Titus; and lastly, that to
Philemon. And besides, the Revelation of John.
6. These are fountains of salvation, that they
who thirst may be satisfied with the living words they contain. In
these alone is proclaimed the doctrine of godliness. Let no man add to
these, neither let him take ought from these. For concerning these the
Lord put to shame the Sadducees, and said, ‘Ye do err, not
knowing the Scriptures.’ And He reproved the Jews, saying,
‘Search the Scriptures, for these are they that testify of Me4546
.’
7. But for greater exactness I add this also,
writing of necessity; that there are other books besides these not
indeed included in the Canon, but appointed by the Fathers to be read
by those who newly join us, and who wish for instruction in the word of
godliness. The Wisdom of Solomon, and the Wisdom of Sirach, and Esther,
and Judith, and Tobit, and that which is called the Teaching of the
Apostles, and the Shepherd. But the former, my brethren, are included
in the Canon, the latter being [merely] read; nor is there in any place
a mention of apocryphal writings. But they are an invention of
heretics, who write them when they choose, bestowing upon them their
approbation, and assigning to them a date, that so, using them as
ancient writings, they may find occasion to lead astray the
simple. E.C.F. INDEX & SEARCH
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