Final answer:
The New Testament canon developed through early Christian debates over orthodoxy, the unification of beliefs, and the standardization of texts, culminating in the official recognition by the Western Church in 1442.
Step-by-step explanation:
The canon of the New Testament developed over a period of several centuries and involved a complex process influenced by various religious, political, and cultural factors. Early Christians, initially Jews but soon joined by pagans, had differing interpretations of Jesus's teachings which had to be unified. Throughout the early centuries, debates and arguments over orthodoxy and heresy took place, shaping the establishment of a canonical set of texts. St. Paul's epistles, which emphasized Jesus's death as part of a divine plan, became influential in the spread of Christian theology.
Church leaders convened numerous councils to address the controversies and decide on the legitimacy of various writings. By the early 4th century, Christianity gained legal acceptance under Emperor Constantine, and in the late 4th century, it was declared the official state religion under Theodosius. These developments contributed to the canon's formation, which required a consolidation of texts that reflected standardized beliefs. The process culminated during the Renaissance, in 1442, when the Western Church definitively decided the contents of the Bible.
The Vulgate, created by Jerome in the 4th century, played a significant role in standardizing Christian scripture in Latin-speaking areas of the Western Roman Empire. The use of codices, such as the Glazier Codex, facilitated the spread and standardization of Christian texts and doctrines. By comparing gospel narratives through canon tables, Christians could address inconsistencies and establish a more unified doctrine.