Metgzer begins with a two chapter survey of literature on the formation of the canon. In the next part of the book, Metzger surveys the literature of the "early church fathers" and their references to and portrayals of books that would later be considered for canonical status, considers early "heretical movements" and their effect on the formation of the canon (which Metzger as many others views as being formed in large part as a response to the "heresies"), surveys some of the still early literature bearing on the formation of the canon. In the last part of the book Metzger considers "historical and theological problems in the formation of the canon." Metzger takes a fairly strictly academic approach with some interludes of direct reasoning, not relying on theological considerations so much, but he still tends to come to conclusions that I would consider conservative, which may put off some readers.

On the whole, this is an excellent book. Very informative. ( )