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)