In the development of the New Testament Canon, why did the Church retain the Revelation of John but remove the Revelation of Peter?

The development of the New Testament Canon involved a complex process where various factors influenced which texts were included or excluded. Here are some reasons why the Church retained the Revelation of John (the Book of Revelation) while the Revelation of Peter was not included in the canon:

**Apostolic Authority**: The Revelation of John is attributed to John the Apostle, who was one of the original disciples of Jesus. Early Church leaders placed a high value on works that could be directly linked to the apostles or their close associates. The Revelation of Peter, although it had some early popularity, was not as widely accepted as being authored by an apostle.

**Theological Consistency**: The Book of Revelation was seen as coherent with the theological themes and doctrines found in other accepted texts of the New Testament. It addresses the end times, the nature of God, and Christ in ways that resonated with emerging orthodox beliefs. In contrast, the Revelation of Peter contains themes and teachings that diverge from orthodox Christian theology, particularly regarding eschatology and the afterlife.

**Widespread Use and Acceptance**: The Book of Revelation enjoyed a broader acceptance among early Christian communities compared to the Revelation of Peter. It was read and used in worship and theology across various regions, which contributed to its eventual recognition as canon.

**Criteria for Canonization**: Early Church leaders employed several criteria for determining which texts to include in the canon, including apostolic authorship, orthodoxy (consistency with accepted beliefs), and widespread use in liturgical practice. The Revelation of John met these criteria more effectively than the Revelation of Peter.

**Controversial Reception**: The Revelation of Peter faced skepticism and controversy in the early Church, especially regarding its orthodoxy and its teachings. Early theologians like Eusebius noted that it was not widely accepted and did not enjoy a solid status among the core texts of Christian doctrine.

Ultimately, the decision to include the Book of Revelation and exclude the Revelation of Peter was part of the broader process of canon formation that aimed to establish a coherent set of writings that accurately reflected the beliefs and practices of the early Christian community.