Protestant 66-book canon received; Scripture honored but not legally binding
Historical Congregationalism received the 66-book Protestant canon of Scripture, consistent with the Savoy Declaration (which reproduces the Westminster Confession Chapter I almost verbatim, including the list of canonical books and rejection of the Apocrypha as non-canonical). The New England Puritan tradition was saturated in Scripture — the colonial churches produced enormous amounts of biblical exposition and commentary.
The United Church of Christ, as a non-creedal body, does not formally require subscription to any particular canon statement. The UCC Book of Worship and liturgical practice assumes the 66-book Protestant canon, and Scripture is described in the UCC Constitution as 'the primary source and criterion' for Christian faith. However, the UCC's theological diversity means that the authority and interpretation of Scripture are understood very differently across the denomination — from near-inerrantist positions in some conservative UCC congregations to highly critical and experiential readings in progressive ones.
Key Distinctions
- Ot canon:
- 39 books (Protestant canon)
- Deuterocanonical status:
- not canonical; Apocrypha for edification only
- Additional scripture:
- none
- Canon open:
- closed
Scripture References
Sources
- Savoy Declaration, Chapter I (1658)
- UCC Constitution and Bylaws (current edition)
- UCC Book of Worship (current edition)