Introduction to the Muratorian Fragment (Full Script)

Too lazy to read?  Watch the video!

www.youtube.com/watch?v=qy92uTQw4VQ

Introduction to the Muratorian Fragment

Post-Apostolic Church

The Muratorian Fragment was written in Rome around AD 170.

It is called Muratorian because it was discovered in Milan, Italy by Ludovico Antonio Muratori in the 1730s.  It is called a fragment because it is a portion (only 85 lines) of a larger work.

The Fragment gives a list of the books or letters that were accepted by the church in Rome.  It is the oldest list of New Testament books that helped Christians establish their canon, which means the list of officially accepted Scriptures.

As for the New Testament, it lists the 4 gospels, Acts, the 13 letters of Paul, 2 of John’s letters, Jude, and Revelation.  It does not mention Hebrews, James, any letters of Peter, or a third letter of John.

It also lists the book of Wisdom, implying that it was received by all, stating that it was written by the friends of Solomon in his honor.  The book of Wisdom is not found in Protestant Bibles but is found in Catholic and Orthodox Bibles.  It was translated and placed in the apocrypha of the original King James Version.

As for disputed books, it lists the Apocalypse of Peter and the Shepherd of Hermas and explains that some Christians did not allow these to be read in church.

As for rejected books, it mentions the letter to the Laodiceans and the letter to the Alexandrians.  It states that these were forged in Paul's name by the heretical followers of Marcion, whose teachings were semi-Gnostic.  It also lists other heretics by name, saying none of their works were accepted.  These include Valentinus and Basilides, both of whom were Gnostics.

I encourage you to download the PDF from the link in the description.  The Muratorian Fragment is only one page.  It is a fascinating window into second century Christianity and how the Christians viewed Scripture.