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
Ethiopian Orthodox, Catholic, Orthodox, Syriac, and Protestant canons differ. The texts in this collection are canonical in various traditions — Zoroastrianism, Islam, the Ethiopian Orthodox Church, and others.
IV. Why These Texts Still Matter
The religious diversity of the ancient and medieval world, the interactions between traditions, and the development of world religions 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.