Apocrypha

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Nathanael Inman

Puritan Board Freshman
What are we to make of the apocryphal, specifically the deuterocanonical, books? From a pure historical standpoint, we can't deny the positive impact that the deuterocanon had on the church. Furthermore, there seems to be some genuinely prophet portions in the books. For example,

Wisdom 2:12-20

‘Let us lie in wait for the righteous man, because he is inconvenient to us and opposes our actions; he reproaches us for sins against the law, and accuses us of sins against our training. He professes to have knowledge of God, and calls himself a child of the Lord. He became to us a reproof of our thoughts; the very sight of him is a burden to us, because his manner of life is unlike that of others, and his ways are strange. We are considered by him as something base, and he avoids our ways as unclean; he calls the last end of the righteous happy, and boasts that God is his father. Let us see if his words are true, and let us test what will happen at the end of his life; for if the righteous man is God’s son, he will help him, and will deliver him from the hand of his adversaries. Let us test him with insult and torture, that we may find out how gentle he is, and make trial of his forbearance. Let us condemn him to a shameful death, for, according to what he says, he will be protected’.
 
Some passages in Wisdom are marked as parallel passages with the NT in the original KJV. e.g., in Hebrews 1 (see the note at the side: https://www.kingjamesbibleonline.org/Hebrews-Chapter-1_Original-1611-KJV/ )

That said, Jacob is spot on that there are different types of books in the Apocrypha. It's hard to judge it in one fell swoop.

The Articles of Religion says slightly more than the WCF on the topic: "And the other Books (as Hierome saith) the Church doth read for example of life and instruction of manners; but yet doth it not apply them to establish any doctrine"
 
"And the other Books (as Hierome saith) the Church doth read for example of life and instruction of manners; but yet doth it not apply them to establish any doctrine"
This particular article in the 39A, I've wondered about before. Is it articulating the "reading for example of life and instruction of manners" only in private reading, or are the 39 Articles prescribing the reading the Apocrypha in the worship service?
 
Wisdom also seems to teach the pre-existence of the Soul.
Looks like maybe it's been a bit since we tapped a discussion of soul origin - something we human folk often yearn to know, but God revealing such, not so much. Is it still true you think, that Reformed still favour creationism over traducianism, with a pre-existent Well of Souls right out?

At any rate, we find agreement that turning to extra-Biblical texts for clarity is fraught with peril and worthy of holy eyes.
 
Some passages in Wisdom are marked as parallel passages with the NT in the original KJV. e.g., in Hebrews 1 (see the note at the side: https://www.kingjamesbibleonline.org/Hebrews-Chapter-1_Original-1611-KJV/ )

That said, Jacob is spot on that there are different types of books in the Apocrypha. It's hard to judge it in one fell swoop.

The Articles of Religion says slightly more than the WCF on the topic: "And the other Books (as Hierome saith) the Church doth read for example of life and instruction of manners; but yet doth it not apply them to establish any doctrine"
Hear here, there's a worthy Henry County eye.
 
Looks like maybe it's been a bit since we tapped a discussion of soul origin - something we human folk often yearn to know, but God revealing such, not so much. Is it still true you think, that Reformed still favour creationism over traducianism, with a pre-existent Well of Souls right out?

At any rate, we find agreement that turning to extra-Biblical texts for clarity is fraught with peril and worthy of holy eyes.

Most Reformed hold to creationism. The better arguments favor traducianism. In any case, I don't think that's what Wisdom is saying. Wisdom says:

Yea rather, being good, I came into a body undefiled. (Wisdom 8:20)
 
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