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| Is there anything to pull from non-canonical texts? |
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Thank you, Paul Ahnert and HonnieBunnie007, for inspiring this topic!
During my college years, I once attended a class titled "The Bible As Literature", the required "textbook" being The New Oxford Annotated Bible with Apocrypha (NRSV). I still have that very thick, heavy, red study bible on my shelf today.
I've yet to go through the rest of that book; we were only required to read parts of the New Testament for the class. But thinking about it recently has peaked some curiosity.
During my college years, I once attended a class titled "The Bible As Literature", the required "textbook" being The New Oxford Annotated Bible with Apocrypha (NRSV). I still have that very thick, heavy, red study bible on my shelf today.
I've yet to go through the rest of that book; we were only required to read parts of the New Testament for the class. But thinking about it recently has peaked some curiosity.
The bible as we know it is made up of 66 canonical books. However, the Catholic and Eastern Orthodox churches add 7 additional books considered canon to them (deuterocanonical):
Tobit, Judith, Wisdom (or Wisdom of Solomon), Sirach (or Ecclesiasticus), Baruch, 1 Maccabees, 2 Maccabees, as well as additions to Esther and Daniel (Prayer of Azariah and Song of the Three Children, Susanna, Bel and the Dragon).
The Orthodox church also includes: The Prayer of Manasseh, 1 Esdras, 3 Maccabees, and Psalm 151.
Some other books/chapters also recognized by others include: 2 Esdras, Epistle of Jeremiah, Prayer of Manasseh, 4 Maccabees, Psalms of Solomon...
Then we have even more non-canonical texts like the Book of Enoch, Book of Jasher, Paul's Epistle to the Laodiceans...
As of late, I haven't done enough research on the topic of non-canon texts and the history behind them. But perhaps some of you readers out there might have some thoughts and insight to share.
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Curious Questions to Consider:
Is there any truth or benefit to reading apocryphal/deuterocanonical/non-canon texts?
Did any of the known authors of the bible reference/allude to non-canonical texts? Would it help at all to read these texts for additional insight or not?
Why is there division in some churches over which of these books are accepted as canon in the bible?
Did you or someone you know attend a church that included apocryphal/deuterocanonical texts?
Is there any truth or benefit to reading apocryphal/deuterocanonical/non-canon texts?
Did any of the known authors of the bible reference/allude to non-canonical texts? Would it help at all to read these texts for additional insight or not?
Why is there division in some churches over which of these books are accepted as canon in the bible?
Did you or someone you know attend a church that included apocryphal/deuterocanonical texts?
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Leave your thoughts in the comment section below. Feel free to share your own stories, experiences and insight in relation to the topic.
Be sure to be respectful and considerate of your word choice in regards to whatever details you choose to share. We're not here to gossip or backstab. Refrain from using specific names. Do not use this topic as an excuse to bash on those who may agree or disagree on certain views regarding non-canon scripture. No flame wars. Please keep it clean and civil.
God bless and thanks for sharing!
Be sure to be respectful and considerate of your word choice in regards to whatever details you choose to share. We're not here to gossip or backstab. Refrain from using specific names. Do not use this topic as an excuse to bash on those who may agree or disagree on certain views regarding non-canon scripture. No flame wars. Please keep it clean and civil.
God bless and thanks for sharing!
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Author's Notes:
Credit goes to Paul Ahnert and HonnieBunnie007 for inspiring me to write about this topic.
Cover image courtesy of Oladimeji Ajegbile.
(Written on July 07, 2019.)
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Great topic! While the apocrypha may serve as historical background to the time between the OT and NT Jewish scholars reject them, as does the bulk of the Protestant world. Roman Catholic doctrine considered heretical, such as pergatory, derives from the apocrypha. Interestingly, perhaps the most controversial book you mentioned, Enoch, is quoted in Jude's epistle. Jesus never quoted an apocryphal source. Thanks for posting these good, thought provoking articles
ReplyDeleteI enjoy hearing about some of Jesus' miracles contained in the non-anglican texts such as when he made real pidgeons from clay, and other miracles from when He was a child.
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