I. What Is a Canon?
Scripture, canon, and lectionary use are not the same thing. A book can be read in worship for centuries without being canon.
II. How the Old Testament Canon Formed
Torah, Prophets, and Writings took shape over centuries. The Septuagint preserved a wider collection. Rabbinic Judaism, after 70 CE, consolidated a narrower list.
III. Canon Status by Tradition
Catholic deuterocanon, Orthodox anagignoskomena, Ethiopian broader canon, Syriac traditions, and Protestant Apocrypha — the boundaries differ between traditions.
IV. Why These Texts Still Matter
Second Temple Judaism, early Christian diversity, textual criticism, and the cultural background of Scripture all depend on these works.
V. How to Read Responsibly
Check date, provenance, language, and genre. Distinguish "not canonical" from "worthless." Avoid proof-texting.