Lutheran
Vineyard Churches
Denies

Early Christian text; not Scripture; not binding on faith or doctrine

The Anglican tradition does not include the Shepherd of Hermas in the biblical canon. While it is a valuable witness to early Christian ethics and theology, it is not Scripture and does not establish doctrine. The Thirty-Nine Articles' specification of the 66-book canon implicitly excludes this and other patristic texts.

Anglican biblical scholarship recognizes the Shepherd of Hermas as an early Christian document worthy of study but clearly distinguishes between apostolic Scripture and post-apostolic Christian literature. The canon is closed, and doctrine is established solely from biblical sources.

Key Distinctions

Canonical status:
Historical value:
valuable witness to early Christian faith
Doctrinal authority:
not Scripture; post-apostolic writing

Scripture References

Sources

  • Thirty-Nine Articles, Article VI (1571)