The "Christian canon" refers to the collection of books that are considered authoritative and sacred in Christianity. This includes the Old Testament, which is shared with Judaism, and the New Testament, which contains writings about the life and teachings of Jesus Christ and the early Christian community. Different Christian denominations may have variations in their canon, particularly regarding the number of books included. The process of forming the Christian canon took several centuries, with key decisions made by church leaders in the early centuries of the church. Criteria for inclusion included apostolic authorship, consistency with Christian doctrine, and widespread acceptance among early Christian communities. The finalized canon serves as a foundation for Christian beliefs and practices.