Affirms
Sixty-six book Protestant canon; Scripture read through the lens of Christ
Mennonites affirm the 66-book Protestant biblical canon as the authoritative Word of God. A distinctive Anabaptist hermeneutical principle is the christocentric reading of Scripture: the New Testament, and especially the teaching and example of Jesus, interprets and has priority over Old Testament texts. This 'Jesus hermeneutic' means that, for example, Old Testament violence is read through the lens of Christ's nonviolent love, not the reverse.
Scripture is read communally — in the gathered congregation — rather than as primarily a private individual matter. The community's discernment of Scripture is the primary context of interpretation, guided by the Spirit.
Key Distinctions
- Ot canon:
- 39 books (Protestant canon)
- Deuterocanonical status:
- not canonical
- Additional scripture:
- none
- Canon open:
- closed
Scripture References
Sources
- Mennonite Confession of Faith (1995), Article 4 (Scripture)