I was watching the Bible on the History channel. The lost books of the Bible was mentioned i.e. Apocrypha. I had previously heard about those books before but gave it no thought. However, I got interested while watching the Bible series. So what is everyone's thoughts on those books? Is it fine to consider them part of God's words? I mean why were they taken out in the first place?? Please let me know your thought on the Apocrypha and why?
The Bible's lost books
- Thread starter Fabie
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The apocrypha was in the Coverdale Bible on up through the King James Version primarily for 'historical completeness', but not - as the preface of the Geneva Bible notes - for building doctrine.
There are lots of books that didn't make it in the canon (or, as in the case of the apocrypha, are only accepted by some. There's lots of threads on this subject around here; you might do a search and browse around. Meanwhile, here are some lists of books:
Old Testament Apocrypha The Apocrypha Index
Old Testament Pseudepigrapha List of Old Testament pseudepigrapha - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
New Testament Apocrypha/Pseudepigrapha New Testament apocrypha - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
There are lots of books that didn't make it in the canon (or, as in the case of the apocrypha, are only accepted by some. There's lots of threads on this subject around here; you might do a search and browse around. Meanwhile, here are some lists of books:
Old Testament Apocrypha The Apocrypha Index
Old Testament Pseudepigrapha List of Old Testament pseudepigrapha - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
New Testament Apocrypha/Pseudepigrapha New Testament apocrypha - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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Mankind has been adding to the Bible since the beginning, and especially the beginning of Christianity, which is why the canon was officially closed after several centuries. Wikipedia has a good, clear article on this if you scroll down to 'Christian Biblical canons' (particularly Western). That might help out a bit, though I'm sure someone more knowledgeable will chime in soon. Biblical canon - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The Apocrypha were never accepted as part of the canon. The are varied in historical accuracy, and they were determined to be not inspired by God. As intertestimental literature, they are interesting to read, as they tell what happened between the time of Malachi and Matthew.
1 Maccabees is a good historical account of the fight of the Jews against the Selucids, who tried to stop the Jews from circumcising their boys, and many other things. 2 Maccabees is not so historical. Some of the other books are interesting, but totally fictional.
I have read them, and do not think they are inspired, but they are interesting to read. The Catholic Church accepted them as "Deutocanonical Books" at the Council of Trent from 1545-63. They have some spurious doctrines, based on one verse such as praying for the souls of the dead. That is another good reason not to accept them as inspired.
1 Maccabees is a good historical account of the fight of the Jews against the Selucids, who tried to stop the Jews from circumcising their boys, and many other things. 2 Maccabees is not so historical. Some of the other books are interesting, but totally fictional.
I have read them, and do not think they are inspired, but they are interesting to read. The Catholic Church accepted them as "Deutocanonical Books" at the Council of Trent from 1545-63. They have some spurious doctrines, based on one verse such as praying for the souls of the dead. That is another good reason not to accept them as inspired.
I will check that out Photoss; Angela thanks also for your input. So, basically these books were found to be inaccurate and not inspired by God. But who decided? I've started reading on the lives of Adam and Eve after having left the garden and you're right so far, they are interesting. I'm just not sure what to make of them. It's a lot of new things to take in all of a sudden.
C
That verse saying don't add or subtract from this book was in Revelation, which is a book unto itself. The Canon wasn't even thought of at that time. As to the Canon being a faultless translation of God's word? I have no idea where that concept came from. Jesus never said anything about a "King James Version" being a faultless translation, complete in itself. That concept comes from man alone.
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K
There are really three or four sets of books here.
The apocrypha of the OT were debated by the Jews, and not allowed in the Jewish OT, since they were not written in Hebrew. That's why some denominations count them and some don't. These are ones in certain Bibles, not in others.
The apocrypha of the NT and the pseudepigrapha of the OT are books that look like books of the Bible, but no one has ever serious proposed they be included. No one seriously considers them inspired. These collections are called the "Lost Books".
The Nag Hammadi Library is a group of Gnostic books. The gnostics are considered heresy since maybe 200 AD. They were lost on purpose, but have surfaced again.
Other books are sometimes found, and are as yet unclassified. For example, the Dead Sea Scrolls, or the Hindu Gospel of St. Issa. They are too new, and most scholars today feel that whether they were "heretical" or not matters. They are considered of just historical importance. No one has even suggested they are inspired.
The apocrypha of the OT were debated by the Jews, and not allowed in the Jewish OT, since they were not written in Hebrew. That's why some denominations count them and some don't. These are ones in certain Bibles, not in others.
The apocrypha of the NT and the pseudepigrapha of the OT are books that look like books of the Bible, but no one has ever serious proposed they be included. No one seriously considers them inspired. These collections are called the "Lost Books".
The Nag Hammadi Library is a group of Gnostic books. The gnostics are considered heresy since maybe 200 AD. They were lost on purpose, but have surfaced again.
Other books are sometimes found, and are as yet unclassified. For example, the Dead Sea Scrolls, or the Hindu Gospel of St. Issa. They are too new, and most scholars today feel that whether they were "heretical" or not matters. They are considered of just historical importance. No one has even suggested they are inspired.
L
The apocrypha teaches salvation by works
[h=3]Condones the use of magic[/h]
Errors in the Apocrypha | Christian Apologetics and Research Ministry
Salvation by works:
- Tobit 4:11, "For alms deliver from all sin, and from death, and will not suffer the soul to go into darkness."
- Tobit 12:9, "For alms delivereth from death, and the same is that which purgeth away sins, and maketh to find mercy and life everlasting."
[h=3]Condones the use of magic[/h]
Tobit 6:5-7, "Then the angel said to him: Take out the entrails of this fish, and lay up his heart, and his gall, and his liver for thee: for these are necessary for useful medicines. 6 And when he had done so, he roasted the flesh thereof, and they took it with them in the way: the rest they salted as much as might serve them, till they came to Rages the city of the Medes. 7 Then Tobias asked the angel, and said to him: I beseech thee, brother Azarias, tell me what remedies are these things good for, which thou hast bid me keep of the fish? 8 And the angel, answering, said to him: If thou put a little piece of its heart upon coals, the smoke thereof driveth away all kind of devils, either from man or from woman, so that they come no more to them."
Is it true that the smoke from a fish's heart, when burned, drives away evil spirits? Of course not. Such a superstitious teaching has no place in the word of God.Errors in the Apocrypha | Christian Apologetics and Research Ministry
N
It was never lost and, the Apocrypha was never suppose to be omitted . The Apocryphal books where in the original King James Version 1611... Not sure who took them out, but they are available online; or in a book called :
The Apocrypha: Edgar J. Goodspeed. The translation by Edgar J. Goodspeed is considered to be the best translation if it into English . Enjoy.
The Apocrypha: Edgar J. Goodspeed. The translation by Edgar J. Goodspeed is considered to be the best translation if it into English . Enjoy.
T
No worries, Fabie. I'm reading through Maccabees 1 and there's some interesting stuff about one of the Anitoch's (believed to be Alexander the Great). It's fun to learn about other things that happened around the world during the times recorded in the Bible. Bel and the Dragon is a particularly good read. It's short, funny and makes a good point about not worshiping idols.
2 Esdras 13 actually accurately point to the Native Americans and Hispanic migration to America, but it is called Asareth in the Apocrypha.
2 Esdras 13:40-45"Those are the ten tribes, which were carried away prisoners out of their own land in the time of Osea the king, whom Salmanasar the king of Assyria led away captive, and he carried them over the waters, and so came they into another land. 41 But they took this counsel among themselves, that they would leave the multitude of the heathen, and go forth into a further country, where never mankind dwelt,
42 That they might there keep their statutes, which they never kept in their own land.
43 And they entered into Euphrates by the narrow places of the river.
44 For the most High then shewed signs for them, and held still the flood, till they were passed over.
45 For through that country there was a great way to go, namely, of a year and a half: and the same region is called Arsareth. "
The people we call Dominican, Mexican, Native Americans, Puerto Ricans are the people that fled here during the time of their Assyrian captivity. But God already had a severe judgement set upon the children of Israel so he sent the sons of Esau to utterly lay them waste, If God had not softened the hearts of the Spaniards upon Israel not one would be found on earth, but he had to send the sons of Esau to give judgement upon them. The Apocrypha said they fled to "Asareth" a place NEVER INHABITED BY MANKIND! That is America. Later the southern Tribes Judah and Benjamin was taken on slave ships and also murdered without pity, till God softened the heart of Esau a little so he will not put an end to Israel. This is also why Christopher went along always with a Hebrew interpreter because the people he was conquering were Hebrews.
2 Esdras 13:40-45"Those are the ten tribes, which were carried away prisoners out of their own land in the time of Osea the king, whom Salmanasar the king of Assyria led away captive, and he carried them over the waters, and so came they into another land. 41 But they took this counsel among themselves, that they would leave the multitude of the heathen, and go forth into a further country, where never mankind dwelt,
42 That they might there keep their statutes, which they never kept in their own land.
43 And they entered into Euphrates by the narrow places of the river.
44 For the most High then shewed signs for them, and held still the flood, till they were passed over.
45 For through that country there was a great way to go, namely, of a year and a half: and the same region is called Arsareth. "
The people we call Dominican, Mexican, Native Americans, Puerto Ricans are the people that fled here during the time of their Assyrian captivity. But God already had a severe judgement set upon the children of Israel so he sent the sons of Esau to utterly lay them waste, If God had not softened the hearts of the Spaniards upon Israel not one would be found on earth, but he had to send the sons of Esau to give judgement upon them. The Apocrypha said they fled to "Asareth" a place NEVER INHABITED BY MANKIND! That is America. Later the southern Tribes Judah and Benjamin was taken on slave ships and also murdered without pity, till God softened the heart of Esau a little so he will not put an end to Israel. This is also why Christopher went along always with a Hebrew interpreter because the people he was conquering were Hebrews.
T
Um. Interesting interpretation there. It could've been any number of uninhabited countries - eg. Australia, New Zealand etc. Also, while the Apocrypha is interesting, it doesn't even have the correct dates for some important historical events, so be careful what you take as truth from such a collection.