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 New Testament Canon Formed
Apostolicity, orthodoxy, catholicity, and liturgical use drove the process. Marcion, the Muratorian Fragment, Eusebius, and Athanasius (367 CE) mark key milestones.
III. Canon Status by Tradition
The Gnostic texts are not canonical in any tradition. They we're rejected as heretical by the orthodox church. But they reveal the extraordinary diversity of early Christian belief.
IV. Why These Texts Still Matter
Early Christian diversity, Gnostic cosmology, the role of women in early Christianity, and the development of orthodox theology all depend on understanding these works.
V. How to Read Responsibly
Check date, provenance, language, and genre. Distinguish "not canonical" from "worthless." Avoid proof-texting.