Why do men need to edit the word of god?

[Gnarly]

Why has the Bible been canonized so many times?

Isn't canonizing the Bible essentially editing the word of god? Why would an infallible being need to be edited by mere men?

 

[talitha]

Those books of holy scripture which religious leaders accept as genuine are canonical. To canonize is to include in those accepted books. Nope, not the same as editing.

 

[heron]

Before canonization, there were many writings being passed around like we would pass around books we treasured. Some were letters that apostles had written to churches, some were visions, some teachings. There were also writings mixed in that were forged, or taking people off track from the faith.

Remember the date for the Gutenberg press, where mass production brought writings into the people's hands. Before this, people had to be trained, or go to the collections (libraries), or go to temple/church to have access to a writing that was circulated. Not everyone was trusted with these treasured documents.

There were so many writings that were not beneficial to Christianity, that the church leaders came together to sort through them. One group would get together and make a decision. Then later, someone would say "hey I'd like this writing included too," or "I really have a problem with what this one says."
(My wording of course.)

So they would get together again to review and discuss. Sometimes the documents included would change.

As said earlier, the words themselves were not the issue of canonization -- it was the documents that would become part of the collection.