“With too many people offering revelations, the message of the faith quickly spirals out of control [but] with too strict control over revelation, the institution suppresses the voice of the Holy Spirit.”

Early Christians loved scripture, particularly what became the Old Testament. But Thomas A. Wayment says they were also open to new revelation. With diverse views about doctrine spreading, the church sought to bring greater unity to the faith by selecting new scripture to add to the canon. We discuss Wayment’s chapter, “Creating Canon: Authority, New Prophecy, and Sacred Texts,” from the book Ancient Christians: An Introduction for Latter-day Saints.

About the Guest

Thomas A. Wayment is Professor of Classics in the Department of Comparative Arts and Letters at Brigham Young University. He earned his PhD in New Testament Studies from Claremont Graduate University in 2000. 

About the Host

Blair Hodges earned a bachelor’s degree in communications (journalism) at the University of Utah and a master’s degree in religious studies at Georgetown University. He hosts Fireside with Blair Hodges and previously hosted the Maxwell Institute Podcast at Brigham Young University.

Cover art by Charlotte Condie

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