This course explores the fascinating history of the Bible in terms of how this particular collection of books came into being and why they, and not others, were included in what is known as “the canon.” Beginning with the general notion of canon in religion, the development of the Old Testament (Hebrew) and New Testament canons will be traced, from the formation of the Pentateuch in the 6th century B.C. to the final closing of the Christian canon in the 16th century. Differences between Catholic, Orthodox, and Protestant canons will also be examined.