The Bible was now interpreted as an eternal or spiritual book. The Christian New Testament canon remained open until the sixth century. Hebrews and the Revelation of St. John were the last books admitted. The closing of a canon does not necessarily lead to an end of canonical debate. The process of debate simply shifts to the question of proper interpretation of the canon.
Divergent groups continue to fight for their rules of interpretation.
When the rules are re-defined, the meaning of the canon changes even though not a single word has been altered. Where such mechanisms are lacking, a tradition is more likely to perish. An on going canonical debate is a sign of vitality.