Back to: How We Got The Bible
Intro
Presented by Tim Anderberg
Definition
The word apocrypha has come into the English language from the Greek and basically means “hidden”.
It was used very early in the sense of “secretive” or “concealed” but was also used in reference to a book of whose origin was doubtful or unknown.
The Collection
The Old Testament apocryphal writings include either 14 or 15 books, depending on the method of counting, which were written in the period of 300 B.C to A.D 100
Books traditionally included in the Apocrypha (Categorized)
| Historical | Legendary | Prophetic | Ethical/Devotional |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 Esdras 1 and 2 Maccabees | Tobit Judith Additions to Esther Additions to Daniel Prayer of Azariah + Song of the Three Young Men Susanna Bel and the Dragon | Baruch Letter of Jeremiah 2 Esdras | Ecclesiasticus Wisdom of Solomon Prayer of Manasseh |
Why these books are generally not considered part of the OT canon.
Of the books that are rejected, some may have valid reasons to be included as scripture. However, there isn’t enough evidence to support them to be in the Bible.
- The OT is primarily a collection of Jewish history and law. The books in the apocrypha were never accepted by the Jewish people.
- There is no evidence showing that Jesus or His disciples accepted it to be canonical.
- The books weren’t accepted as scripture by Jewish writers or by the Jewish council
- These books do not evidence intrinsic qualities of inspiration. Large portions of these books are based off of legends and are fictional
- They often have historical, chronological and geographical errors
Church Acceptance
While some of the apocryphal books were accepted by some portions of Greek churches, no 2 early Greek manuscripts agree as to which books are to be included in the Septuagint, and not all included in the Septuagint are accepted by the Roman Catholic Church
The church in England gives the apocrypha a semi-canonical status. They may read some of it in public worship but they don’t use it as doctrine since it can conflict with established canonical teachings.
Objections to these books cannot be overruled by dictatorial authority.
Summary
The word “apocrypha” may be used with equal application to the noncanical books of the Old and New Testaments. Generally speaking, however, it is the common designation for a special group of fourteen or fifteen books, most of which are included in the OT of the Roman Catholic Bible. The Apocrypha may be divided into four groups. (1) Historical (2) Legendary (3) Prophetic, and (4) Ethical/Devotional. These books are often useful in understanding Scripture, but should not be regarded as Scripture for the following reasons.
- They are never included in the Hebrew OT
- They were never accepted as canonical by Jesus and his apostles
- They were never accepted by early Jewish and Christian writers
- They do not evidence intrinsic qualities of inspiration
- They have been shrouded with continual uncertainty
- They cannot be maintained on a compromise basis
- Objections to them cannot be overruled by dictatorial authority
-Source: Lightfoot, Neil R.. How We Got the Bible (pp. 172-173). Baker Publishing Group. Kindle Edition.
Some Arguments FOR canonicity of Apocrypha
Note: There are stronger and more valid rebuttals/solutions to each of these.
- New Testament allusions
- Included with Septuagint + other early Greek manuscripts
- Some early church fathers included in their canon (Clement of Alexandria recognized 2 Esdras as fully canonical. Origen added Maccabees as well as the Letter of Jeremiah to his canonical list. Irenaeus quoted from the Book of Wisdom, and other Fathers cited other Apocryphal books.)
- Influence of Augustine Council of Trent (1546)
- declaration Non RCC Usage (Anglican, Eastern Orthodox)
- Evidence of Qumran/Essene usage among DSS/DJD scrolls
– Source: Geisler, Norman L; Nix, William E.. From God To Us Revised and Expanded: How We Got Our Bible (p. 115). Moody Publishers. Kindle Edition.
Categories of other writings
Homologoumena
The biblical books that were accepted by all were called “homologoumena” (lit., to speak as one). Thirty-four of the thirty-nine books of the Old Testament may be classed as homologoumena. This includes every book except Song of Solomon, Ecclesiastes, Esther, Ezekiel, and Proverbs. Since none of these books has been seriously disputed, our attention may be turned to the other books. (See Antilegomena)
Pseudepigrapha
Those nonbiblical works rejected by all were entitled “pseudepigrapha” (false writings). Not everything in these pseudepigraphal writings is false. In fact, most of them arose from within the context of a religious fantasy or tradition that has its source in some truth.
Frequently the origin of these writings was spiritual speculation on something not explicitly covered in canonical Scripture. (Ex. Jannes & Jambres in 2 Tim, Assumption of Moses in Jude)
The standard collection of the pseudepigrapha contains seventeen books. Add to this Psalm 151 which is found in the Codex Vaticanus and the Septuagint version of the Old Testament, and the principal list is as follows:
| Legendary | Apocalyptic | Didactic | 1Poetical | Historical |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| The Book of Jubilee | 1 Enoch | 3 Maccabees | The Psalms of Solomon | The Fragment of a Zadokite Work |
| The Letter of Aristeas | The Testament of the Twelve Patriarchs | 4 Maccabees | Psalm 151 | |
| The Book of Adam and Eve | The Sibylline Oracle | Pirke Aboth | ||
| The Martyrdom of Isaiah | The Assumption of Moses | The Story of Ahikar | ||
| 2 Enoch, or the Book of the Secrets of Enoch | ||||
| 2 Baruch, or The Syriac Apocalypse of Baruch* | ||||
| 3 Baruch, or The Greek Apocalypse of Baruch |
Antilegomena
A third category, comprised of biblical books that were occasionally questioned by some, were labeled “antilegomena” (to speak against). A different school of thought developed within Judaism, which debated, among other things, the canonicity of certain books that had previously been received into the Old Testament. Ultimately these books were retained in the canon, as their original status prevailed…
| Song of Solomon | Ecclesiastes | Esther | Ezekiel | Proverbs |
Apocrypha+
A fourth category, comprised of nonbiblical books that were (are) accepted by some but rejected by others, includes the disputed books of the “Apocrypha” (hidden, or doubtful).