Final answer:
The "canon of scripture" refers to the collection of books that a religious tradition considers authoritative, such as the Bible for Christians. This canon lays the foundational texts for a religion's doctrine and is crucial in determining orthodox beliefs and practices. Different denominations and religions have their own canonical texts, influencing their specific teachings and views on sacred scripture.
Step-by-step explanation:
The term "canon of scripture" refers to the collection of texts or books that a particular religious tradition considers authoritative and inspired. In the context of Christianity, it describes the set of books that are accepted as the divinely inspired Word of God, which includes the Old Testament and the New Testament. Throughout history, various Christian denominations have included different texts in their canons; for example, the Catholic Bible includes the Apocrypha, while Protestant Bibles typically do not. Establishing this canon was crucial to early Christians as it laid the foundation for orthodox beliefs and practices.
Variations among sacred texts exist not only within Christianity but also across different religions. Each religious community has faced the challenge of determining which texts should be regarded as canonical, which directly influences their doctrine and religious life. The concept of the canon also extends beyond religious texts and can be seen in the context of literature and art, where a canon constitutes a collection of works considered to be exemplary or authoritative by a cultural group.