The Mystery Behind the Omission of Apocryphal Books from the Bible and Their Significance

The term Apocrypha is often used to refer to the additional writings that were declared part of the Bible canon by the Roman Catholic Church at the Council of Trent in 1546. However, it is essential to examine why so many books are omitted from the Bible and why modern religious scholars and practitioners tend to ignore their existence.

Evidence Against Canonicity

While the Apocryphal writings may possess certain historical value, claims of canonicity are unsupported by solid evidence. The most significant evidence comes from the closing of the Hebrew canon following the writing of the books of Ezra, Nehemiah, and Malachi around the 5th century BCE. The Apocryphal writings were never included in the Jewish canon of inspired Scriptures and are not part of it today. The Jewish historian Josephus corroborates this, stating that the sacred books recognized by the Jews are only 22 (or 27 in the modern division of 39 books and 27 books of the Old and New Testament).

Historical Recognition and Quotations

The assertion of the Apocryphal writings' canonicity is further weakened by the fact that none of the Christian Bible writers quoted from these books. The most decisive testimony supporting the canon of the 39 books of the Hebrew Scriptures is the unarguable authority of Jesus Christ and the writers of the Christian Greek Scriptures. For instance, Jesus did not complain about the absence of the Apocrypha from the Hebrew canon, and he accepted the Hebrew canon as it was presented to him. This is evident from Luke 24:44, where Jesus mentions the apostolic focus on the canonical books of the Hebrew Scriptures.

The British Library: A Comprehensive Collection

If one is seeking 'all the books,' they can find them in the British Library, which archives a copy of every book published in Britain. This collection offers a comprehensive view of all available religious texts, including those that were not included in traditional biblical canons. The comprehensive nature of the British Library's collection highlights the existence of writings beyond the accepted canon, many of which are considered Apocryphal.

Power and Control Aspects

The reasons for the omission of many books from what is commonly referred to as the Bible are rooted in power dynamics and control. Those in religious or political leadership have sometimes sought to manipulate the biblical narrative, eliminating certain texts that do not align with their doctrines or desired narratives. This selective inclusion of texts serves to solidify the legitimacy of their interpretations and to assert their authority over others.

The inclusion or exclusion of certain texts has significant implications for understanding the full narrative of divine communication with humanity. By selectively integrating only a portion of the available writings, a partial view of the divine message is presented, often limited to align with particular theological or political agendas.

Thus, the omission of Apocryphal books from the Bible calls into question the completeness of the religious narrative and the motives behind such exclusions. It is crucial to explore and acknowledge the existence of these additional writings to gain a more holistic and comprehensive understanding of the divine message.

By examining the historical context, evidence, and implications of these omissions, we can develop a more nuanced and inclusive approach to understanding the diverse voices within religious traditions.