Background of the Protestant Bible
The Protestant Bible, used by Protestant churches, differs from the Catholic Bible in that it excludes seven books known as the Deuterocanonical or Apocrypha. These books are Tobit, Judith, Wisdom of Solomon, Sirach (Ecclesiasticus), Baruch, and 1 and 2 Maccabees.
The origins of the Protestant Bible can be traced back to the 16th century during the time of the Protestant Reformation. Reformers, led by Martin Luther, sought to return to the original texts of the Bible and rejected certain books that were not found in the Hebrew canon of Scripture.
Martin Luther, a key figure in the Reformation, believed that these seven books had less historical accuracy and theological value than the rest of the Scripture. He argued that they were not included in the Jewish Canon and were therefore not divinely inspired. Luther's decision to remove these books from the Old Testament was based on his concern for maintaining the purity of the biblical canon.
While the Catholic Church maintains the inclusion of these books in its Bible, Protestant churches continue using the canon that Martin Luther and other reformers established. Removing these books remains one of the distinguishing features between the Protestant and Catholic Bibles.
Overview of the Deuterocanonical Books
The Deuterocanonical Books, also known as the "Apocrypha," are a collection of seven books found in some versions of the Christian Bible but not in the Hebrew Bible. These books are Tobit, Judith, Wisdom of Solomon, Sirach (Ecclesiasticus), Baruch, and 1 and 2 Maccabees.
"deuterocanonical" means "second canon," indicating that these books were not part of the original Hebrew canon of Scripture. Unlike the protocanonical books, universally accepted by Jews and Christians as inspired Scripture, the deuterocanonical books were disputed and varied in acceptance among different Christian traditions.
The deuterocanonical books were primarily written in Greek and were included in the Septuagint, a Greek translation of the Hebrew Scriptures. The Septuagint was widely used in the early Christian church and was often the version of the Old Testament that the New Testament authors quoted from. Including the deuterocanonical books in the Septuagint influenced their acceptance by the early Christian church.
The Council of Rome in 382 AD first provided an official list of canonical scripture, including the deuterocanonical books. Later, in the 16th century during the Protestant Reformation, these books were removed from the Protestant Bible based on the Jewish canon and arguments of their lack of inclusion in the original Hebrew Scriptures.
Historical Context
During the Protestant Reformation in the 16th century, there was a movement to return to the early Christian church's roots and reform certain practices of the Roman Catholic Church. As part of this reform, Protestant leaders questioned and reevaluated various aspects of religious doctrine and practices, including the canon of Scripture. They sought to identify which books should be considered divinely inspired and authoritative.
In doing so, they looked to the Jewish canon of the Hebrew Scriptures as the basis for determining which books should be included in the Bible. This historical context of the Protestant Reformation played a significant role in removing the deuterocanonical books. Protestants aimed to align themselves more closely with the Jewish tradition and exclude books not from the Hebrew canon.
Greek Translation of the Hebrew Scriptures (Septuagint)
The Septuagint is a Greek translation of the Hebrew Scriptures, also known as the Old Testament. It holds great significance in the Protestant Bible for several reasons.
First, the Septuagint was widely used during the time of Jesus and the Apostles. Many of the quotes and references made in the New Testament come directly from the Septuagint version. This attests to its importance and influence within the early Christian community.
Second, there is an assumption within the church that the Septuagint is inspired. While not officially declared as such, the early church leaders’ acceptance of the Septuagint as Scripture and that Jesus and the Apostles referred to it adds to its credibility as divinely inspired.
Third, the development of the scientific method of paleography has allowed scholars to compare ancient manuscripts of the Septuagint to the original Hebrew texts. This has led to a better understanding of the Greek translation's accuracy, further affirming its value within biblical studies.
Jewish Canon Discussed by Church Fathers in the 4th Century
In the 4th century, there was a discussion among Church Fathers regarding the Jewish canon – which books should be included as sacred scripture. These Church leaders debated including and excluding certain books, offering varying views.
Some Church Fathers, like Athanasius and Cyril of Jerusalem, supported the inclusion of the Deuterocanonical books, also known as the Apocrypha. They argued that these books were traditionally used by the Jewish community and were read in the early Christian churches.
However, other Church Fathers, such as Jerome and Rufinus, expressed reservations about including these books. They believed the Jewish canon, established by the Council of Jamnia in the 1st century, should be followed. According to them, the Jews did not consider the Deuterocanonical books as part of their canon, and therefore, they should not be included in the Christian Bible.
These varying views among the Church Fathers resulted in disagreement and variations in the final decision on the biblical canon. Ultimately, the Catholic Church confirmed the inclusion of the Deuterocanonical books in the canon during the Council of Carthage in 397. However, the Protestant Reformation in the 16th century later rejected these books, aligning with the Jewish canon.
Reformation Period and the 16th Century
During the Reformation in the 16th century, significant changes were made to the Protestant Bible, leading to the removal of books from the canon. This period was marked by intense debate and theological differences between the Catholic Church and reformers such as Martin Luther.
One of the key debates during this time centered around the Old Testament canon. The Protestant reformers, influenced by the Jewish canon, rejected the inclusion of certain books that were considered part of the Deuterocanonical or Apocryphal books by the Catholic Church. The reformers argued that these books lacked sufficient historical accuracy and were not considered divinely inspired. They believed in a strict adherence to the Hebrew Scriptures, which they considered to be the only authoritative source.
In response to the Reformation movement, the Council of Trent was convened by the Catholic Church in the mid-16th century. This council formally addressed the canon of Scripture and affirmed the inclusion of the Deuterocanonical books, reaffirming their importance and status as part of the biblical canon.
Removing these books from the Protestant Bible during the Reformation reflected the theological differences and reformers' desire to align themselves more closely with the Jewish canon. This decision had a lasting impact on the Protestant Bible, resulting in a difference in the number and content of books compared to the Catholic Bible.
What books do Protestants take out of the Bible?
During the Protestant Reformation in the 16th century, certain books known as the Deuterocanonical or Apocrypha were omitted from the Protestant Bible. These books include Tobit, Judith, Wisdom of Solomon, Sirach (Ecclesiasticus), Baruch, First and Second Maccabees, and additions to the books of Esther and Daniel.
The exclusion of these books can be attributed to historical context and specific reasons during the Protestant Reformation. Influenced by the Jewish canon, Protestant reformers sought to align themselves more closely with the Hebrew Scriptures, which did not include the Deuterocanonical books. They questioned the divine inspiration and historical accuracy of these additional books and believed in a stricter adherence to the Old Testament as originally recognized by the Jewish community.
The Protestant Reformers aimed to return to sacred scripture’s true and authoritative sources. They denounced the Deuterocanonical books as not part of the original canon and therefore non-binding for Christian teachings. This decision during the Protestant Reformation influenced the formation of the Protestant Bible, which consists of the books recognized by the Hebrew canon.
Why did Protestants remove the Apocrypha?
During the Protestant Reformation in the 16th century, Protestants removed the Apocrypha from the Bible. The Apocrypha is a collection of books that are considered deuterocanonical, meaning they are not found in the Jewish canon but are accepted as part of the Old Testament by the Catholic Church.
Protestants, however, chose to adhere strictly to the Hebrew scriptures and questioned the divine inspiration and historical accuracy of the Apocrypha. They believed in a narrower selection of books that aligned with the original Jewish canon. As a result, the Apocrypha was removed from Protestant Bibles, and the Protestant canon became different from the Catholic canon.
Consequences of Removing 7 Books from the Bible
Removing seven books, known as the Deuterocanonical books, from the Protestant Bible has had significant consequences. These books, included in the Catholic and Orthodox canons, consist of Tobit, Judith, Wisdom, Sirach, Baruch, and First and Second Maccabees. Their exclusion from the Protestant Bible has resulted in differences in the biblical canon between Protestant and Catholic traditions. The removal has also impacted theological understandings, discussions, and debates within Christianity. Additionally, the absence of these books has limited the availability of certain narratives, prayers, and teachings that were part of the Christian faith for centuries. Understanding the consequences of this removal is crucial for comprehending the divergences and interpretations within different Christian denominations.
Loss of Valuable Information on Jewish Life and Practices During Intertestamental Times
During the reformation in the 16th century, Protestant leaders decided to remove several books known as the Deuterocanonical books from the Bible. These books, also referred to as the Apocryphal books by Protestants, include Tobit, Judith, Wisdom, Sirach, Baruch, First and Second Maccabees, and additional portions of the books of Esther and Daniel.
The exclusion of these books from the Protestant Bible resulted in a loss of valuable information on Jewish life and practices during intertestamental times. These books provided insights into the Jewish people’s historical, cultural, and religious context between the Old and New Testaments.
For example, the book of Tobit offers a glimpse into the importance of honoring parents, the role of angels in daily life, and the value of charitable acts. The book of Wisdom explores the concepts of divine wisdom and the soul’s immortality. Sirach provides practical instruction on various aspects of life, including friendship, marriage, and parenting.
By removing these books from the biblical canon, Protestants miss out on a comprehensive understanding of the historical events, religious beliefs, and cultural practices of the Jewish people during this crucial period. The exclusion of the Deuterocanonical books limits the reader's ability to fully grasp the vast landscape of Jewish life and practices during intertestamental times.
Affect on Christian Faith and Beliefs
The removal of the seven deuterocanonical books from the Bible has significantly impacted Christian faith and beliefs. These books, widely accepted as sacred scripture in the early Christian church, contained valuable teachings and insights that helped shape the beliefs and practices of the early believers.
The exclusion of these books from the Protestant Bible has resulted in a loss of important theological teachings and historical context. For example, the book of Wisdom provided insights into divine wisdom and the soul’s immortality, influencing Christian understanding of these topics. The book of Tobit emphasized the importance of charitable acts and the role of angels in daily life, offering a deeper understanding of these aspects of the faith.
Furthermore, removing these books has affected the canon of Scripture. The Protestant canon consists of 66 books, while the Catholic canon includes seven additional books, known as the deuterocanonical books. This difference in the canon has led to variations in theological teachings and practices between Protestants and Catholics.