The Apocrypha

The word ”apocrypha” means that which is veiled, secret or closed.

In theology the term apocrypha refers to the 14 books added to the Old Testament by the Roman Catholic Church in 1546A.D. These books are; I Esdras, II Esdras, Tobit, Judith, Book of Esther, Wisdom of Solomon, Ecclesiasticus, Baruch, Song of the Three Holy Children, History of Susanna, Bel and the Dragon, The Prayer of Manasses, I Macabees and II Macabees.

Most of the rest of Christendom rejects these books from having a place in the canon of Scripture. The following are some of the reasons for this rejection.

1. It is universally acknowledged that they never had a place in the Hebrew canon.
2. They were written in the 400 years between Malachi and John the Baptist when there was no inspired prophetic utterance. This is why the Jews rejected them.
3. They are never quoted in the New Testament by Jesus or the Apostles.
4. They are not found in any catalogue of Canonical Books during the first four centuries of the church.
5. Divine inspiration and authority is claimed by none of the writers and is disclaimed by some of them.
6. None of the writers speak with a message from Jehovah.
7. The books contain many historical, geographical and chronological errors, at times contradiction themselves, the Bible and history.
8. They teach doctrines and uphold practices which are contrary to the canonical Scriptures. (e.g. Lying is sanctioned, suicide and assassination are justified, magical incantations and prayers for the dead are taught and approved.)
9. They do not fit into the numerical structure of the canon.

The Foundations of Christian Doctrine
A Practice Guide To Christian Belief
Kevin J. Conner