“See what is recorded in the book of the Lord: all these will be there, not one without the other: the mouth of the Lord has given the order, and his spirit has made them come together.”
(Isa 34:16, BBE)
We concluded the last teaching by referring to the apocryphal books of the Bible. It would perhaps be interesting, for the sake of offering a comprehensive perspective, to spend one or two teachings discussing the status and use of the apocryphal books, especially since it is currently garnering so much attention. The publication of Dan Brown’s popular novel The Da Vinci Code brought great interest and confusion concerning these books. In the press one found the New Reformation placing increasing emphasis on the apocryphal books The gospel of Jude, The gospel of Thomas and The gospel of Mary Magdalene. The last three texts present a completely different history from what is found in the canonical books of the Bible.
In the original language the word canon means standard or plumb line – a measuring instrument which implies that that which is measured is measured against certain agreed upon laws or principles. Within the context of the church the word is used when speaking about texts that experts have found to be inspired by God. Over the ages a certain consensus has been reached that the 66 books that are currently canonized as the Bible are the complete collection. The Old-Testament canon had most likely been compiled by Ezra, the scribe, quite ironically, according to the apocryphal verses 1 Mac 7:12 and 2 Mac 2:13! The Old Testament canon is however fully confirmed by the New Testament canon through extensive cross referencing (see, for instance, www.kalvesmaki.com/LXX/NTChart.htm for such a comparison). It does for instance not include the typological comparisons between the two testaments. In short – the canon is, in dictionary terms, “the books of the Bible officially accepted by a church or religious body as divinely inspired”.
The Protestant articles of faith differentiate between the canonical and apocryphal books by stating that the canonical books are holy, and that apocryphal books may only be used insofar as they correspond with the canonical books. They do however carry no power or authority in affirming the principles of the Christian faith. They are not to be used in a manner that damages the holy books. In his introduction to his translation of the apocryphal books Martin Luther stated that they are not to be considered equal to the Holy Scriptures, but are still useful and worthy of reading.
The word apocryphal comes from the Greek word apocruptos which means hidden. In the Protestant world the term pseudepigrapha is used rather than apocryphal, which means that it has, with the passing of time, been classified as deceptive texts.
Perhaps we should understand the apocryphal texts in the following light – the scroll which was used in penning down the Holy Scriptures was made from the inside of the dried and tanned skin of a sacrificial lamb. When it was rolled up it was the complete Lamb. An expert’s eye could easily discern the true wool of the Lamb from the synthetic strands that desperately clung to it. Isa 34:16 is true.
- Sela: Is there an agenda behind the current prominence of apocryphal books? Read 2 Thes 2:3.
- Read: Num 10; Dan 1; Ezec 11
- Memorize: Ezec 11:19-20
- For a deeper understanding: See riseisrael.com/apocrypha.htm for apocryphal narratives made available electronically.
