Considering the Apocrypha as Canon?
In the New Testament, there are several examples of the non-canonical books being referenced authoritatively. The authors of our beloved New Testament were apparently familiar enough with these extra biblical texts to use and reference them in their epistles. Not only were Luke, Paul, Peter and Jude familiar, their casual use—without exposition—suggests that they expected their readers to be familiar with the literature as well.
II Timothy 3:8 references the characters Jannes and Jambres from the Targum Yonatan; Jude verse nine speaks of the angel Michael arguing with Satan, a story found in The Testament of Moses; Jude verses 14 and 15 talk about Enoch, stories found in a apocryphal books by the same name; and Ephesians 5:14 appears to mirror some of the non-biblical Temple liturgy; Acts 7:23 states a non-Biblical fact that Moses was 40 years old; II Peter 2:4 talks about the judgment of angels, from I Enoch 12:4-13:1, 10:4-6. All of these passages quote or refer to material not found in or verified in the Old Testament canon, but are used authoritatively by some of the New Testament authors.
If the New Testament authors found value in this literature, should we? The answer is both “yes” and “no.”
“Yes,” in that we can gain valuable insight into the period in which they were written. This insight can help us understand the religious perspective of the day, and potentially interpret Scripture more accurately. Instruction on ritual purity and immersion, for example, adds volumes to our ability to see what Yeshua accomplished while He walked the earth.
“Yes,” inasmuch as Yeshua often followed the extra-biblical traditions. The Feast of Hanukkah—a story found in 1st and 2nd Maccabees—is not a scriptural observance, yet Yeshua participates in John 10:22. The activities surrounding the Hoshana Rabbah—“the last day, the great day of the feast”— in John 7:37 are predominately non-biblical, yet again we find Yeshua participating—and using the occasion to His advantage for teaching and spiritual allegory.
“No,” however, in that the extra-biblical books are not recognized as authoritative Scripture. They cannot be given equal authority as the written Word and they cannot substitute for the reading and study of the Bible. There are many traditions with which Yeshua had real conflicts and this alone should send up warning flares about adopting traditional literature. The non-canonical books are valuable; they help us understand the overall context of Scripture, but they cannot be allowed to take the place of it.
– Kevin M. Williams
Category: Biblical Studies, Spring 2006
Followers
Fans
