Subject: Apocryphal Books |
Bible Note: "The RCC has but one real argument for the inclusion of the apocryphal books into Holy Scripture, which is derived from certain councils and fathers. They allege the 3rd Council of Carthage (in which Augustine attended) canon 47.4, where it is shown that all these apocryphal books are seen as canonical. Though many object that this council is provincial, the RCC deems it general for all. They base this by Pope Leo IV. Confirmation (Dist. 20. C. de Libellis), and also by the 6th general council held by Constantinople, which is called Trullan, (canon 2.) They say, though Carthage may not be, of itself, strong enough to assert the books canonical, the Pope and council mentioned prove the point to be true nonetheless. They also adduce the council of Florence under Eugenius IV. (see Epistol. Ad Armenos), that of Trent under Paul III. (session 4), and pope Gelasius with a council of seventy bishops (Vide infra, T. VIII p. 146). Of fathers they cite Innocent I, Augustine (Lib. II. C. 8. De Doctrina Christiana), Isidore of Seville (Etymolog., Lib. VI. C. 1.). So the RCC argument is this: these councils and these fathers affirm these books to belong to the sacred canon, therefore these books are canonical. This has been the official position since Trent's dogmas." --Dr. C. Matthew McMahon (see the full article at http://www.apuritansmind.com/Apologetics/ApocryphaArticle1.htm) The following from Dr. Clyde Woods, "Fact Sheet: Reasons for Rejecting the Apocrypha from the Canon": 1. The books never were included in the Hebrew canon. Although they appear in the Septuagint, it is very likely that they gradually found their way into later copies, yet were not in its original translation (see The New Bible Handbook, 1962, p. 39). 2. Various credible ancient sources that frequently allude to, and quote from, the Old Testament, exclude the apocryphal books from the canon. Philo (20 B.C.-A.D. 50), Josephus (A.D. 37-95), and Melito (who wrote c.A.D. 165-175), among others, rejected the Apocrypha. 3. Apocryphal books are never quoted in the New Testament. Although these writings existed in the first century, and likely were (by this time) incorporated into the Septuagint, they never were quoted or explicitly cited by Jesus or the apostles in the New Testament. Such a fact truly is significant when one realizes that the New Testament writers quote from, or allude to, the Old Testament (minus the Apocrypha) approximately 1,000 times. In all, thirty-five of the thirty-nine Old Testament books are referred to in the New Testament. 4. No apocryphal book actually claims to be inspired by God. In fact, some either disclaim it, or reveal evidence of errancy. Several historical, geographical, and chronological mistakes can be found in the apocryphal books -- errors that are not characteristic of the 39 Old Testament books. |