66-book Protestant canon; deuterocanonical books not considered Scripture
Non-denominational evangelical churches accept the 66-book Protestant canon as the complete and authoritative Word of God. The deuterocanonical (Apocryphal) books are not treated as Scripture, consistent with the Protestant Reformation tradition and the practice of the majority of evangelical churches.
The 66-book Protestant canon is assumed without significant controversy in non-denominational evangelical settings. Curriculum, preaching, and theological education operate within this canonical framework. No movement within non-denominational evangelicalism advocates for including additional books in the canon or for removing any of the 66.
The closed nature of the canon is also affirmed: no new writings, visions, or prophetic messages — however spiritually valued — are considered canonical Scripture. This conviction underlies the evangelical commitment to sola scriptura and the testing of all spiritual experience against the written Word.
Key Distinctions
- Ot canon:
- 39 books (Protestant canon)
- Deuterocanonical status:
- rejected
- Additional scripture:
- none
- Canon open:
- closed
Scripture References
Sources
- National Association of Evangelicals Statement of Faith; representative local church statements