Should i read the apocrypha

The disagreement comes over how many books there are in the Old Testament. Protestant versions of the Bible contain 39 Old Testament books, while Roman Catholic versions contain 7 more books plus some additions to the books of Daniel and Esther. Eastern Orthodoxy accepts all of these plus 3 extra books! If you want to look at these books, find a copy of the New Revised Standard Version of the Bible that contains the Apocrypha, and the table of contents will separate the books according to those that are accepted by the Protestant, Roman Catholic, and Eastern Orthodox religions.

Actually no one knows for sure how the apocryphal books came to be part of some copies of the Old Testament. Many, however, think that the extra books were added when the Old Testament originally written in Hebrew was translated into Greek.

This theory is based on the fact that the earliest copy of the Septuagint available today contains these extra books, while none of the Hebrew Scriptures contain them. These books, along with the rest of the Bible, were translated by Jerome into Latin around A. While some early Christians thought highly of these books, others, such as Athanasius, Cyril of Jerusalem, Origen and Jerome opposed them. Furthermore, Augustine seems to have changed his mind from accepting the Septuagint as authoritative to later recognizing that only the Hebrew Scriptures were inspired.

But they do not have such power and virtue that one could confirm from their testimony any point of faith or of the Christian religion. Much less can they detract from the authority of the other holy books. Westminster Confession of Faith 1.

Read More On apocrypha , canon , Reformation. Should Protestants Read the Apocrypha? What is the Apocrypha? The Apocrypha and the Reformation The doctrine of sola Scriptura and various doctrinal objections to the teaching of the medieval Western church drove the Reformers to examine again the canonical status of the Apocrypha.

The New Testament authors never directly quote from the Apocrypha. Share This. In the Apocrypha, we read stories of those heroes and heroines who lived their Faith - courageously - even in the face of brutal torture and death. They can inspire us with courage in these challenging times - just like they did the Martyrs of the first centuries. When we visited this ancient Catacomb in Cyprus , where early Christians hid from persecution, who did we find was painted on the walls?

Solomone, the Mother of the Seven Maccabean Martyrs, who steadfastly encouraged each of her precious, beloved Seven Sons as they were tortured to death for their love of God. This was a story that the brave early Christians took courage from.

And, it can be a story that gives us courage today, as we face persecution of much less magnitude. This story is found in the Apocrypha - in the Books of Maccabees. Or, we can read of Tobit , who performed the righteous deed of burying those Martyred by their oppressor - even at risk of his own life. That story is in the book of Tobit. Knowing how to live well, courageously, and righteously under a system infected with sin is a difficult challenge.

But the books of the Apocrypha can help us. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.

Ephesians , KJV. You're the Star. Encouraging Hearts and Homes. Paul Moldovan I enjoy writing music, recording, drumming, and reading up about the Bible and discipleship. Author archive Author website. Leave a Reply Cancel reply Enter your comment here Fill in your details below or click an icon to log in:. Email required Address never made public. Name required. Part 1. Follow Following. Questions That Matter Join other followers.

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