What is the "Apocrypha"?

They are not considered canonical by most Protestants, who generally consider them worth reading but not a source from which new doctrine should be derived.

Comments by L. C. L. Brenton (1807-1862) (apparently an Anglican) on The Books of the Apocrypha are available.

A study on the development of the canon from The Seraphim Files is available.

Some early lists of canonical books include the following:

• Council of Carthage (AD 345-419)
• Council of Laodicea (AD 343-381)
• Books named by St. Gregory Theologus, Seventh Ecumenical Council (AD 692)
• 39th Festal Epistle of St Athanasius (AD 367)
• On Christian Doctrine, 2.8.13, by St. Augustine (AD 397)

This document is from the Christian Classics Ethereal Library at Calvin College. Last updated on July 13, 2001. Contacting the CCEL.