The list of books excluded from certain versions of the Bible, known as the Apocrypha or Deuterocanonical Books, may differ among Christian denominations. Below is a general list of these books, along with a brief explanation explaining why they were excluded from the Protestant canon.
Old Testament Apocrypha/Deuterocanonical Books:
1: Tobit
2: Judith
3: Additions to Esther
4 : Wisdom of Solomon
5: Sirach (Ecclesiasticus)
6: Baruch
7: Letter of Jeremiah
8: Additions to Daniel (Song of the Three Youths, Susanna, Bel and the Dragon)
9: 1 Maccabees
10 : 2 Maccabees
11: Prayer of Manasseh
12: 1 Esdras
13: 2 Esdras (also known as 4 Ezra)
14: Psalm 151
These books were excluded from the Protestant canon for several reasons, including concerns about their origin, historical accuracy, and theological consistency. The Protestant Reformation in the 16th century significantly contributed to these exclusions, as reformers favored the Hebrew Masoretic Text over the Greek Septuagint, which included the Apocrypha.
New Testament Apocrypha:
1:Gospel of Thomas
2:Gospel of Mary
3:Gospel of Judas
4:Gospel of Peter
5:Acts of Paul and Thecla
6:Epistle of Barnabas
7:Shepherd of Hermas
8:Didache (Teaching of the Twelve Apostles)
9:Apocalypse of Peter
Similar concerns about authorship, orthodoxy, and consistency with established Christian teachings led to the exclusion of these New Testament Apocryphal books from the canon. The decisions regarding the inclusion of books in the biblical canon were influenced by theological debates, local traditions, and the authority of early church leaders.
It is important to acknowledge that different Christian denominations may have variations in their canons, with some including some or all of these books as part of their accepted scriptures. The decision to include or exclude particular books from the Bible is a complex matter with a long historical and theological background.
It is worth noting that the exclusion of these books from the Bible did not occur in a single year, but unfolded over centuries and varied among different Christian traditions.
Old Testament Apocrypha/Deuterocanonical Books:
The formalization of the exclusion of these books from the Protestant canon took place during the 16th-century Protestant Reformation. Influenced by various factors, reformers favored the Hebrew Masoretic Text over the Greek Septuagint, which included the Apocrypha. This resulted in the removal of these books from many Protestant Bibles.
New Testament Apocrypha:
The exclusion of New Testament Apocryphal books happened gradually and was not a standardized process across Christian communities. Different books faced scrutiny at different times, and debates surrounding them continued for centuries.
It is important to understand that decisions regarding the biblical canon were intricate and influenced by theological debates, regional traditions, and the authority of specific church leaders. As a result, there is no specific single year when these books were universally removed from the Bible. The process was gradual and occurred over an extended period.
For those who argue that the people who wrote the Bible were guided by the Holy Spirit, it is necessary to consider who guided the people who wrote the books that have been removed from the Bible.
When we provide information that you may not be aware of, it is unfair to dismiss it as “canal mind.” The Bible was written by ordinary individuals like us, and its formation involved various debates among different churches and countries based on their traditions, except for African countries.
It’s worth considering that certain verses and chapters may be removed from the Bible, either in the present or in the near future.
