Athanasius is the first person to identify the same 27 books of the New Testament that are in use today. Up until then, various similar lists of works to be read in churches were in use. Athanasius compiled the list to resolve questions about such texts as The Epistle of Barnabas. Athanasius includes the Book of Baruch and the Letter of Jeremiah and places the Book of Esther among the "7 books not in the canon but to be read" along with the Wisdom of Solomon, Sirach (Ecclesiasticus), Judith, Tobit, the Didache, and the Shepherd of Hermas. COUNT 5
QSN1 Who standardized the books of the New Testament? ANS1 Athanasius QSN2 What books were used before his decision to standardize? ANS2 various QSN3 How many books are listed that should be included but were not? ANS3 7 books QSN4 How many books are in the New Testament? ANS4 27 books QSN5 Have those books changed over time? ANS5 in use today