1.  What is canonical criticism?

Canon is a term not  frequently heard outside of theological discussions. It does not refer to a weapon (a cannon is a big gun). Canon is derived from the Greek noun kanon, meaning a "measuring rod or rule." Although canon can have several meanings, the most relevant meaning here is "the sacred texts of a religious community or tradition." Thus, canonical criticism differs greatly from some of the other forms of criticism addressed within this WBT. Canonical criticism does not focus on the culture of the original setting; it does not focus on the history within the text. Its primary emphasis is not on the genre of the passage or on  isolating literary devices used within the passage. The goal of canonical criticism is to understand how the passage reflects and interacts with the foundational beliefs of a given community or tradition.