A
Andrew1983
Guest
Hi, it’s been a long time since I’ve posted on these forums, but I have a question that in all honesty, I’m unclear on and it involves the understanding of what constitutes as Scripture, Canon, and how the differences of lists that our brethren in the Eastern Orthodox Churches use can be reconciled with what we use in the Roman Catholic Church (I’m under the assumption that the Eastern Rite Catholic Churches have retained their lists).
Specifically, we in the Roman Church recognize an authoritative list of 73 books and also have the Prayer of Menassah, 3 and 4 Esdras as Apocrypha.
Some Orthodox Churches recognize 3 and 4 Maccabees in their lists. I understand that traditionally, these books have been omitted from our Bible, and at least in the case of 4th Maccabees, it is not part of the Old Testament as it was written 10 years after Christ was crucified and resurrected from the dead. (I’m not sure when 3 Maccabees was recorded).
Another example of a book not in Roman Bibles is listed among the Copts which is 1 Enoch.
Now, to the best of my current knowledge, all Orthodox Churches have valid apostolic succession and can render the sacraments, so this isn’t like our separated brethren in the Protestant ecclesial communities who loosely can be seen as Roman laity who are in rebellion against Church authority. Since this is the case, how do we reconcile the Orthodox lists with books of the Roman list?
Which then leads to my next question. Are all scriptures Canonical, or is there a distinction?
To my understanding, canon used to mean those scriptures that were read during Liturgy. Now though, Canon seems to be equated to those scriptures that are authoritatively binding on the laity and used to establish Church Doctrine.
Lastly, are there any documents or Church Fathers that have had to write on this matter? I’ve been attempting to go through the Ante-Nicene Fathers, and do not recall any books outside of the Roman lists being referenced.
Thanks in advanced and my apologies if this has already been addressed.
Specifically, we in the Roman Church recognize an authoritative list of 73 books and also have the Prayer of Menassah, 3 and 4 Esdras as Apocrypha.
Some Orthodox Churches recognize 3 and 4 Maccabees in their lists. I understand that traditionally, these books have been omitted from our Bible, and at least in the case of 4th Maccabees, it is not part of the Old Testament as it was written 10 years after Christ was crucified and resurrected from the dead. (I’m not sure when 3 Maccabees was recorded).
Another example of a book not in Roman Bibles is listed among the Copts which is 1 Enoch.
Now, to the best of my current knowledge, all Orthodox Churches have valid apostolic succession and can render the sacraments, so this isn’t like our separated brethren in the Protestant ecclesial communities who loosely can be seen as Roman laity who are in rebellion against Church authority. Since this is the case, how do we reconcile the Orthodox lists with books of the Roman list?
Which then leads to my next question. Are all scriptures Canonical, or is there a distinction?
To my understanding, canon used to mean those scriptures that were read during Liturgy. Now though, Canon seems to be equated to those scriptures that are authoritatively binding on the laity and used to establish Church Doctrine.
Lastly, are there any documents or Church Fathers that have had to write on this matter? I’ve been attempting to go through the Ante-Nicene Fathers, and do not recall any books outside of the Roman lists being referenced.
Thanks in advanced and my apologies if this has already been addressed.
