Apocrypha
Gemini Summary
Apocrypha are religious writings like Tobit, Judith, and 1 & 2 Maccabees that are not part of the standard official Bible canon used by all groups. The word comes from a Greek term meaning "hidden away". [1, 2, 3]
Old Testament and New Testament Apocrypha
Old Testament Apocrypha: Written during the 400-year gap between the Old and New Testaments. Included in Catholic and Orthodox Bibles (where they are called deuterocanonical), but left out of Jewish and most Protestant Bibles.
New Testament Apocrypha: Extra gospels, acts, and letters written centuries after Jesus that the early church did not accept as true or inspired. [2, 7, 8]
Why They Are Debated
History: They show how Jewish people lived and thought between the time of the old prophets and the birth of Jesus.
Authority: Some groups read them for history and good advice, while others say they do not have the same holy authority as the main books of the Bible. [2, 5, 6, 8]
AI responses may include mistakes.
[1] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Apocrypha
[2] https://www.britannica.com/topic/apocrypha
[3] https://michaelfbird.substack.com/p/6-things-about-the-apocrypha-i-bet
[4] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gEwfyy4u73k
[5] https://www.youtube.com/shorts/5_eJLGURXGM
[6] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EOTwS9OPPsI
[7] https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/essay/the-apocrypha/
[8] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p_42fQSM41s