APOCRIFOS 1.0

What are the Apocryphal Books?

The apocryphal books refer to texts that are not included in the official canon of the Bible. While they may possess historical and moral significance, these books are not regarded as divinely inspired and therefore do not serve as a foundation for doctrine. Both the Catholic Church and the Orthodox Church accept certain apocryphal writings as part of their biblical canon.

The term “apocryphal” originates from a Greek word meaning “hidden.” The Bible comprises 66 books universally recognized as inspired by God. Throughout history, numerous additional texts, related yet uninspired, have been composed. These texts are categorized as apocryphal because they have been excluded from the biblical canon to prevent heresies and confusion.

While apocryphal books may contain intriguing and useful information, they may also present dubious teachings that conflict with canonical scripture. Some of these books include fantastical narratives and historical inaccuracies. Their teachings do not carry the same weight as those found in the Word of God (2 Peter 1:16). Therefore, they are not published alongside the Bible as it is prudent to avoid mixing truth with error.

Which Apocryphal Books Are Accepted by the Catholic Church?

The list of apocryphal books recognized by the Catholic Church includes:

• Tobias
• Judith
• The Wisdom of Solomon
• Sirach (Ecclesiasticus)
• Baruch (including the Letter of Jeremiah)
• 1 and 2 Maccabees
• Additions to Esther
• Additions to Daniel

These texts are referred to as “deuterocanonical” within the Catholic Church because they were officially acknowledged as divinely inspired only in 1546 AD. All these accepted apocryphal books belong to the Old Testament and are not recognized by Jewish tradition as inspired writings.

In addition to these texts, the Orthodox Church typically accepts:

• 1 and 2 Esdras
• The Prayer of Manasseh
• 3 and 4 Maccabees
• Psalm 151

How Were the Official Books of the Bible Chosen?

In the 4th century, numerous writings circulated among churches, yet not all were authentic. To prevent heresies and contradictory teachings, early church leaders undertook a thorough investigation to discern which writings were authentic (1 Thessalonians 5:21).

Church leaders and Christian scholars convened in councils to evaluate each text. Only those with solid evidence of authenticity were included in the Bible, while those that raised doubts were excluded.

Further Reading: Who Wrote the Bible?

The apocryphal books accepted by both the Catholic Church and the Orthodox Church were not regarded as divinely inspired during these councils; rather, they were popular writings deemed useful. They can be likened to contemporary Christian literature—insightful yet lacking the same authority as scripture.