The Apocrypha Bible: Should It Be Part of Scripture?
The Apocrypha Bible books sparks debate among Christians. Some accept it as Scripture, while others reject it. Catholic and Orthodox Bibles include these books, but Protestant Bibles leave them out. The key question remains: Should the Apocrypha be considered part of God’s Word?
What Is the Apocrypha?
The Apocrypha refers to a collection of books written between the Old and New Testaments. These texts include Tobit, Judith, 1 and 2 Maccabees, Wisdom, Sirach, and Baruch. Catholics consider them Scripture, while Protestants view them as non-canonical.
These books appear in the Greek Septuagint, an early translation of the Old Testament. Jewish scholars, however, never accepted them as divinely inspired. Their exclusion from the Hebrew Bible fuels much of the debate.
Why Protestants Reject the Apocrypha
Protestants believe the Apocrypha contradicts Scripture, lacks divine inspiration, and was not recognized by Jesus or the apostles. Several key reasons support their position.
1. The Apocrypha Contradicts Biblical Teachings
Some Apocryphal books promote ideas that conflict with biblical doctrine. 2 Maccabees 12:45-46 encourages prayers for the dead:
“Therefore he made atonement for the dead, so that they might be delivered from their sin.”
The Bible, however, teaches otherwise. Hebrews 9:27 states:
“It is appointed for men to die once, and after this comes judgment.”
Salvation depends on faith in Christ, not on prayers or offerings for the dead. Tobit 12:9 also claims:
“For almsgiving delivers from death, and it will purge away every sin.”
This contradicts Ephesians 2:8-9, which teaches salvation by grace through faith, not works.
2. Jewish Scholars Rejected the Apocrypha
The Jewish people never included the Apocrypha in their sacred writings. Flavius Josephus, a Jewish historian from the first century, wrote:
“We have not an innumerable multitude of books among us, disagreeing from and contradicting one another, but only twenty-two books, which contain the records of all the past times; which are justly believed to be divine.”
These twenty-two books match the thirty-nine books of the Protestant Old Testament. Jews grouped their writings differently, but they never accepted the Apocrypha.
3. Jesus and the Apostles Never Quoted It
Jesus frequently referenced the Old Testament. He quoted Psalms, Isaiah, Deuteronomy, and other books, but never the Apocrypha. In Luke 24:44, He affirmed the Hebrew Scriptures:
“Everything must be fulfilled that is written about me in the Law of Moses, the Prophets, and the Psalms.”
The Apocrypha existed during His time, yet He never acknowledged it as Scripture.
New Testament writers also omitted it. Over 260 direct quotes and nearly 370 allusions to the Old Testament appear in the New Testament. None reference the Apocrypha.
4. The Apocrypha Contains Errors
Historical and theological mistakes weaken the Apocrypha’s credibility. Wisdom 11:17 states:
“For your all-powerful hand, which created the world out of formless matter, did not lack the means to send upon them a multitude of bears, or bold lions.”
This contradicts Hebrews 11:3:
“By faith, we understand that the universe was created by the word of God, so that what is seen was not made out of things that are visible.”
Biblical teaching asserts that God created everything from nothing. The Apocrypha suggests otherwise.
Additionally, Tobit 6:5-7 describes using fish gall to drive away demons. The Bible never supports magical remedies.
5. The Catholic Church Officially Added It in 1546
The Catholic Church only recognized the Apocrypha as Scripture at the Council of Trent in 1546. This decision came in response to the Protestant Reformation.
Before this, even Catholic scholars doubted its inspiration. St. Jerome, who translated the Latin Vulgate, initially rejected these books as Scripture. If the Apocrypha was always part of the Bible, why did the Church wait so long to declare it canonical?
Why Some Defend the Apocrypha
Catholic and Orthodox Christians uphold the Apocrypha. They argue that early Christians used these books, they contain historical value, and they align with biblical themes.
Many early church fathers referenced the Apocrypha. The Septuagint, a widely used Greek translation of the Old Testament, included these books. Some argue that this proves their authority.
Books like 1 and 2 Maccabees provide valuable historical details. These writings describe the Jewish struggle against Greek rule and the origins of Hanukkah. Though not considered Scripture by Protestants, they offer insight into Jewish history.
Certain Apocryphal passages echo biblical teachings. Wisdom and Sirach emphasize righteousness, wisdom, and devotion to God. Some see this as evidence of divine inspiration.
Should the Apocrypha Be in the Bible?
The Apocrypha’s inclusion depends on theological perspective. Protestants reject it for contradicting Scripture, lacking Jewish approval, and receiving no recognition from Jesus or the apostles. Catholics and Orthodox Christians accept it based on historical use and tradition.
Ultimately, Christians must decide whether to view the Apocrypha as Scripture or as historical literature. Understanding its content and examining biblical evidence will guide this decision.