‘Canonicity’: the Book or the Reader?

[The Saucepan Man]

Originally Posted by davem

Ok, we must if we wish to understand what the author meant.

Can't disagree with that. But you seem to be suggesting that we are in some way obligated to try to understand what the author meant, or at least that it is desirable for us to do so. It's there that I think we disagree, since I would hold that it is a perfectly valid response for the reader, if they so wish, to stop at the text and go no further.