Following the release of The Da Vinci Code book and film and the 'discovery' of the Gospel of Judas, the age-old debate surrounding the authenticity of the books of the New Testament is raging yet again.

So why are there just twenty-seven books, and why were those particular twenty-seven chosen?

Brian Edwards skilfully answers these questions, asserting that the inclusion of these books was never really in doubt. When the history, age and content of the manuscripts are looked at fairly and objectively the evidence is overwhelming, which is why, despite centuries of examination and criticism, the canon of the New Testament still stands unscathed.


'Brian Edwards' popular yet scholarly, polemical yet insightful Why 27? is a tour de force, doing for the canon of the New Testament what his Nothing but the truth did for the inspiration and authority of Scripture. Here Edwards does far more than debunk the contemporary Da Vinci Code and Gospel of Judas claims; avoiding no question, he sets forth a realistic affirmation of our present New Testament canon so persuasively that this book serves at once as a great evangelistic gift for unbelievers as well as to strengthen the faith and polemical skills of Christians. Why 27? is a timely book and makes for a fascinating read.
— Joel R. Beeke, President of Puritan Reformed Theological Seminary, Grand Rapids, Michigan, USA


Brian H. Edwards was the pastor of an evangelical church in Surrey, England, for thirty years before his current ministry of writing, lecturing and itinerant preaching. He is the author of sixteen books and co-author of three. His major books published by Evangelical Press include Nothing but the Truth, the biographies of John Newton and William Tyndale and two books on revival including Revival — a people saturated with God. Brian lives in Surrey and has two sons and three granddaughters.