From:  (Nigel B. Mitchell)
Newsgroups: aus.religion.christian
Subject: The Apocrypha
Date: Wed, 16 Sep 1998 08:44:46 GMT

One of the reasons that some Christians like to exclude the Apocrypha from their Bibles is that the apocryphal books give the lie to the popular Christian notion that Judaism in the time of Jesus had become a spiritually barren religion presided over by legalistic Rabbi/Pharisees and corrupt Priest/Sadducees. These books, written mostly between 150 BCE and 70 CE, are evidence of a Judaism which was spiritually alive, reflective, and faithful.

For example:

In the Hebrew text of the book of Esther, God is not mentioned. The Greek Additions to Esther found in the Apocrypha reflect on God's plan for Esther, Mordecai and the Jews, and give God the glory for their deeds and their deliverance.

The book of Ecclsiasticus (also known as Sirach) celebrates God's wisdom and creation.

The letter of Jeremiah teaches the futility of idol worship.

The books of the Maccabees describe the rebellion of faithful Jews against foreign rulers and corrupt leaders of their own people, and contains many stories of heroic martyrdom.

The official stance of the Anglican Church, with which I concur, is that the Apocryphal books, whilst not having the same level of authority as the canonical books of the Old and New Testaments, are nevertheless valuable sources for our understanding of God and the historical and religious background to the New Testament. Every Christian who wishes to understand the religious and historical background to the New Testament should be familiar with these books.

Cheers

N+

Nigel B. Mitchell