Deuterocanonical Writings in Christian Tradition and Canon
The Deuterocanonical writings, also known as the Apocrypha, have been a subject of debate among Christian traditions regarding their canonical status and authority. The term "Deuterocanonical" was first used by Sixtus of Siena in 1566 to describe books that were "secondarily canonical" [4].
Historical Development
The Deuterocanonical writings were included in the Septuagint, the Greek translation of the Hebrew Bible, which was widely used by early Christians. The early Church Fathers, such as Origen, referenced these writings in their commentaries and writings [3]. The Council of Trent (1546-1563) formally defined the Catholic canon, which includes the Deuterocanonical writings, in response to the Protestant Reformation.
Confessional Articulation
The Catholic Church affirms the canonical status of the Deuterocanonical writings, as stated in the Canons and Decrees of the Council of Trent [4]. In contrast, Protestant traditions, such as the Reformed and Lutheran churches, reject the Deuterocanonical writings as non-canonical. The Thirty-Nine Articles of the Anglican Church (1571) take a nuanced stance, stating that while the Deuterocanonical writings are not considered canonical, they are still useful for edification [5].
Tradition Contrasts
The Eastern Orthodox Church also includes the Deuterocanonical writings in its canon, although the exact boundaries of the canon have varied throughout history. The Reformed tradition, as represented by Calvin and the Westminster Confession, rejects the Deuterocanonical writings as non-canonical [1, 2]. The Lutheran tradition, while not considering the Deuterocanonical writings canonical, has historically included them in Lutheran Bibles.
Biblical Anchor
The Deuterocanonical writings are not directly quoted in the New Testament, although there are allusions to them. For example, the book of Hebrews contains references to themes and motifs found in 2 Maccabees [2]. The use of Deuterocanonical writings in early Christian literature and liturgy suggests that they were valued by early Christians.
Common Confusions
One common confusion is that the Deuterocanonical writings are entirely apocryphal or heretical. However, many of these writings contain valuable historical and theological insights into the Jewish context of early Christianity. Another misconception is that the Protestant Reformation rejected the Deuterocanonical writings solely due to their perceived lack of canonical status. In reality, the Reformers' rejection was also based on theological and hermeneutical grounds.
The Deuterocanonical writings continue to be an important part of Christian tradition, with different confessions and traditions assigning varying levels of authority to them. Understanding the historical and theological context of these writings can provide valuable insights into the development of Christian doctrine and practice. The varied approaches to the Deuterocanonical writings reflect fundamental differences in how Christian traditions understand the nature of Scripture and authority [1, 4, 5].
Sources
- CCEL (Reformed) “Calvin, Commentary on Genesis, Vol. 1 (Gen 1-23), section 20.21: 399 As in the English version.”
- CCEL (Reformed (Old Princeton)) “Charles Hodge, Systematic Theology, Vol. 3, section 105: The Scriptural Doctrine. 2. History of the Doctrine. Second Advent. 1. Preliminary Remarks. 2. The Common Church Doctrine. 3. The Personal Advent of Christ. 4. The Calling of the Gentiles. 5. Conversion of the Jews. 6. Antichrist. The Concomitants of the Second Advent. 1. The General Resurrection. 2. The Final Judgment. 3. The End of the World. 4. The Kingdom of Heaven. 5. The Theory of the Pre-millennial Advent. 6. Future Punishment. Indexes Index of Scripture References Greek Words and Phrases Hebrew Words and Phrases Latin Words and P”
- Schaff ANF/NPNF (Patristic) “ANF Vol 9: Gospel of Peter, Diatessaron, Origen's Commentaries — SECTION LIII.(2) (part 5): Mk. 16, 13b. 127”
- Canons and Decrees of the Council of Trent on Justification (Catholic) “Canons and Decrees of the Council of Trent on Justification (Catholic, 1547), Creeds of Christendom, Vol. II: Creeds of Christendom, Vol. II Theme Font Aa Aa Text Size A”
- Thirty-Nine Articles of Religion (Anglican) “Thirty-Nine Articles of Religion (Anglican, 1571), XXXIV. Of the Traditions of the Church: XXXIV. Of the Traditions of the Church”