The deuterocanonical writings of the ot and nt

[Katholikos]

This topic is a spin-off of The Real Luther thread.

To discuss this topic, we first need to define the terms.

"It should be noted that protocanonical and deuterocanonical are modern terms, not having been used before the sixteenth century." Catholic Encyclopedia, newadvent.org

QUOTE:

PROTOCANONICAL. A term applied to those books of the Bible, especially in the Old Testament, whose inspired character had never been questioned, e.g., by any Church Father. But the exression is misleading because it was not the Church Fathers but the Church’s magisterium under the Pope that was divinely authorized to decide on the canonicity of the Scriptures. (underscore added)

DEUTEROCANONICAL. Referring to those books and passages of the Old and New Testaments about which there was controversy at one time in early Christian history. In the Old Testament they are Tobit, Judith, Wisdom, Ecclesiasticus, Baruch, I and II Maccabees, parts of Esther (10:4-16, 14) and Daniel (3:24-90, 13, 14). In the New Testament are Hebrews, James, II Peter, II and III John, Revelation, and Mark 16:9-20. All of these are recognized by the Catholic Church as part of the biblical canon. Among Protestants the deuterocanonical books of the Old Testament are rejected as apocryphal, along with the last twelve verses of Mark’s Gospel.

Reference: John A. Hardon, S.J., Modern Catholic Dictionary

Proto - a combining form meaning “first” or “earliest” (Webster)
Deutero - a combining form meaning “second” (Webster)

In the sixteenth century, scholars began distinguishing between those Scriptures which had received universal acceptance earlier than other Scriptures by using these terms. It was a technical difference, not a difference in canonicity. All the Scriptures currently found in Catholic Bibles were canonized at the same time, at the Councils of Rome (382) Hippo (393) and Carthage (397 + 419) without distinction. Affirmation of the decrees was made by Pope Innocent I in 405.

These are academic distinctions only – not distinctions of value or inspiration.

JMJ Jay

 

[Katholikos]

This is the first canonized list of the contents of the Bible:

QUOTE:

COUNCIL OF ROME, 382 A.D., Pope Damasus I presiding.

"Likewise it has been said: Now indeed we must treat of the divine Scriptures, what the universal Catholic Church accepts and what she ought to shun.

"The order of the Old Testament begins here: Genesis one book, Exodus one book, Leviticus one book, Numbers one book, Deuteronomy one book, Josue Nave [Joshua] one book, Judges one book, Ruth one book, Kings four books *, Paralipomenon two books *, Psalms one book, Solomon three books, Proverbs one book, Ecclesiastes one book, Canticle of Canticles one book [Song of Songs], likewise Wisdom one book, Ecclesiasticus one book (Sirach).

Likewise the order of the Prophets. Isaias one book. Jeremias one book, with Ginoth, that is, with his lamentations, Ezechiel one book, Daniel one book, Osee one book (Hosea), Micheas [Micah] one book, Joel one book, Abdias one book [Obadiah], Jonas one book [Jonah], Nahum one book, Habacue one book [Habakkuk], Sophonias one book [Zephaniah], Zacharias one book [Zechariah], Malachias one book [Malachi].

[Baruch isn’t mentioned because it was originally included in Jeremiah.]

Likewise the order of the histories. Job one book, Tobias one book [Tobit], Esdras two books , Esther one book, Judith one book, Machabees two books.

Likewise the order of the writings of the New and eternal Testament which the holy and Catholic Church supports. Of the Gospels, according to Matthew one book, according to Mark one book, according to Luke one book, according to John one book.

The Epistles of Paul in number fourteen. To the Romans one, to the Corinthians two, to the Ephesians one, to the Thessalonians two, to the Galatians one, to the Philippians one, to the Colossians one, to Timothy two, to Titus one, to Philemon one, to the Hebrews one.

Likewise the Apocalypse of John, one book. And the Acts of the Apostles one book.

Likewise the canonical epistles in number seven. Of Peter the Apostle, two epistles, of James the Apostle one epistle, of John the Apostle one epistle, of another John, the presbyter, two epistles, of Jude the Zealot, the Apostles one epistle.

The canon of the New Testament ends here.
*END QUOTE

Reference: Denzinger, The Sources of Catholic Dogma

*Please note that the writings Protestants call “apocrypha” and "reject from their Bibles were canonized right along with Isaiah and Genesis, Matthew and John. *

If Protestants accept the Catholic Church’s judgment regarding the contents of the New Testament, on what basis can they logically reject the contents of the Old Testament, which the Church named at the same Councils?

JMJ Jay*