Recently, a friend asked me about the Apocrypha. And if you know me, I can not just give a short answer to anything… LOL! My friend was curious about whether or not she should read it but what went unasked was why she should read it. Another thought I had when I read her text and pondered an explanation was her context. She was raised Catholic but was now a non-denominational Protestant. Keeping this in mind, I decided it was best to send her an e-mail with a more thorough response to her question. What follows is a cleaned-up version of what I sent her.
Introduction to Learning About the Apocrypha
The Bible is often described as a library of 66 books, representing centuries of writing, editing, and copying. Despite being around 3,000 years old, the accuracy of these texts is remarkably well-preserved. By the 2nd century AD, the accepted list of biblical books, or canon, was fairly well-established.
The Mysterious Lost Books of the Bible
Before I went to seminary, my deconstruction journey began with documentaries about the Bible on the History Channel. One of my favorites implied that secret information was being kept from us and that these books were “lost.” This was my introduction to the Apocrypha. I grew up Baptist (Protestant) and never heard of these other books so I was intrigued.
The term “Apocrypha” refers to a collection of ancient books that are included in some versions of the Bible but not in others. The word “Apocrypha” itself means “hidden” or “secret,” but in a religious context, it has come to refer to these additional writings.
Understanding the Bible
The Bible is a sacred text for Christians, consisting of two main parts:
- The Old Testament: This part is shared with Judaism and includes books like Genesis, Exodus, Psalms, and Isaiah.
- The New Testament: This part is unique to Christianity and includes the Gospels (accounts of Jesus’s life), letters (like those from Paul to early Christian communities), and other writings.
The Importance of Translations
Understanding the Bible also involves recognizing the significance of its translations. The original texts were written in Hebrew, Greek, and Aramaic. Over centuries, they were translated into Latin, German, English, and numerous other languages. Each translation effort aimed to make the scriptures accessible to different cultures and communities, highlighting the dynamic nature of biblical interpretation.
Categories of Biblical Books
- Received Books: Universally accepted by the Christian church and included in the canon.
- Rejected Books: Used by some groups but ultimately excluded from the canon.
- Disputed Books: Generally accepted but with some debate over their theological purpose.
- Heretical Books: Outside the canon and embraced by only a few, often containing teachings that deviate from orthodox beliefs.
Esau McCaulley, author of “Reading While Black: African American Biblical Interpretation as an Exercise in Hope,” emphasizes that understanding the Bible involves recognizing it as a collection of diverse writings by different authors over a long period, all believed to be under the guidance of the Holy Spirit.
Reflecting on Your Relationship with the Bible
When engaging with the Bible, consider your perspective on its nature and authority:
- Inerrant: Viewed as free from error, often linked to issues of authority and power.
- Infallible: Believed to be incapable of failing to accomplish its divine purpose.
- Lived/Embodied Experience: Seeing the Bible through the lens of personal and communal experience.
Remember, individual interpretation is not deemed authoritative, infallible, or inerrant.
The Bible – What it says about itself
A key passage to consider is 2 Timothy 3:16-17, where the writer refers to the Old Testament (Torah, Prophets, and Writings). In the original Greek, the present tense implies that God’s inspiration is ongoing. This echoes the concept of the “Living God” continually breathing life into scripture, much like the Spirit breathed life into Adam.
By exploring these foundational ideas, you can better appreciate the complexities and significance of the Apocrypha within the broader context of biblical literature.
What is the Apocrypha?
The Apocrypha includes books that were written in the period between the Old and New Testaments. These books are found in some versions of the Old Testament but are not included in the Jewish Bible (Tanakh) or in all Christian Bibles.
Examples of Apocryphal Books
- Tobit: A story about piety and family loyalty.
- Judith: A tale of a woman who saves her people by beheading an enemy general.
- Wisdom of Solomon: A book of wisdom literature, similar to Proverbs.
- Sirach (Ecclesiasticus): Another book of wisdom teachings.
- Baruch: A book attributed to Baruch, the scribe of the prophet Jeremiah.
- 1 and 2 Maccabees: Historical accounts of the Jewish revolt against Greek rulers.
Different Views on the Apocrypha
Catholic and Orthodox Christians
- Catholic Church: The Apocrypha is considered deuterocanonical, meaning these books are part of the canon (official list of sacred books) but are given a secondary status compared to the rest of the Old Testament. They are included in the Catholic Bible.
- Eastern Orthodox Church: Also includes the Apocrypha in their Bible, considering them valuable for teaching and edification.
Protestant Christians
- Protestant Churches: During the Reformation, leaders like Martin Luther decided to exclude these books from their version of the Old Testament. Thus, most Protestant Bibles do not include the Apocrypha. They might consider these books useful for historical or moral instruction but not as authoritative as the other books of the Bible.
Why the Difference?
The primary reason for the difference lies in historical decisions about which texts were considered inspired and authoritative. Early Christian leaders and Jewish scholars had different criteria and traditions for selecting these books.
Importance and Use
Even though the Apocrypha is not universally accepted among all Christian traditions, it provides valuable insights into Jewish history, culture, and religious thought during the intertestamental period (the time between the Old and New Testaments). For those who include these books in their Bible, they offer additional teachings and stories that complement the other scriptures.
In summary, the Apocrypha is a set of books that some Christian traditions include in their Bibles while others do not. These books provide historical, moral, and spiritual insights and have played a role in shaping the beliefs and practices of various Christian communities.
If you would like to learn more about how we got our Bible, check out the No More Silos podcast episodes: