The Apocrypha & Wider Canon
The books the Reformers set aside but the early church read alongside Scripture — 1 & 2 Maccabees, Tobit, Judith, Sirach, the Wisdom of Solomon, and more.
Understanding which books the early church used — and why — is essential to understanding how the biblical canon formed. These studies examine the deuterocanonical books historically and theologically, without requiring you to resolve every question about their authority.
Dedicated studies of individual Apocryphal books are still in production. The two existing studies below are the closest fit today: one covers the manuscript evidence for the text of Scripture, the other touches the Maccabean period.
Related Studies Available Now
The Dead Sea Scrolls
The most important manuscript discovery of the 20th century — and what it tells us about the text of Scripture.
Biblical Civil Disobedience
The Maccabees, Antiochus Epiphanes, and the question of when God's people resist earthly rulers.
Angels
The Dead Sea Scrolls community had extensive angel literature including 1 Enoch; see the angels hub for the biblical descriptions.
Where to Go Next
For the canonical books these writings are read alongside, see the Old Testament and New Testament guides, or browse the full Bible section.
Apocrypha studies are in production. Subscribe for updates.
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