Originally posted by Dyshade Quote:
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In ending Why was the Apocrypha removed from what you see as the original version of the Bible... and remains removed by most modern translations....????
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First of all, I am going to give a short answer at this point. This topic deserves much longer space, but for a shot at brevity, I am going to try to give an answer that will at least be on par.
The question of which books belong in the Bible is called the question of the canon. The word "canon" means "rule" or "measuring rod", and in relation to the Bible it refers to the collection of books that passed a test of authenticity and authority; it also means that those books are our rule of life.
Basically, there are a few principles that outline the Protestant perspective. As you know, I am a Southern Baptist.
In a nutshell some of the questions asked about the writings goes as follows: Was the book written by a spokesperson for God, who was confirmed by an act of God, who told the truth in the power of God, and was accepted by the people of God? If these can be answered in the affirmative, especially the first question, the book was usually immediately recognized as inspired and included in the canon. The Old Testament Apocrypha lacks many of these characteristics. None of the books claim to be written by a prophet and Maccabees specifically denies being prophetic. Most importantly, many in the early church including Melito of Sardis, Origen, Athanasius, Gregory of Nazianzus, and Jerome rejected the canonicity of the Apocrypha, although retaining high regards for its devotional and inspirational value.
I am really not even scatching the surface here Dyshade. But, this is a basic, fundemental view of how we got our present day Bible. If you like I could and am willing to go to great lengths to give details showing how the canonicty of Scripture came to be, describing the the Council of Carthage in 397, the Council of Trent in 1548 who had LOTS of fun with the reformers.....we can talk about the Septuagint, the Vulgate, the Codex Sinaiticus and the Codex Vaticanus, both of the 4th century, or the Codex Alexandrinus of the fifth century. We can talk about the Coverdale, Geneva and the King James versions. There is SO much we can discuss and as I said previously, I will be glad to do so. Just keep in mind, that this is a topic that cannot just be tossed aside after an answer. It must be digested. I LOVE this topic and I would be continually honored to defend the faith for my Lord.
Thanks Dyshade for your patience as I am having a very busy week. I am trying my hardest to get back to you when I can and as expediently as I can. Thanks again for participating in this discussion
Sincerely,
Samichking
