The Origins of the Catholic Apocrypha: An In-Depth Exploration

The Catholic Old Testament, often referred to as the ldquo;Apocryphardquo; by other religious traditions, contains a rich history and various versions of the Old Testament. This article delves into the origins and development of these additional books, exploring the differences between the Septuagint and the Masoretic text.

Introduction to the Septuagint and Masoretic Texts

At the time of Christ, there were two main versions of the Old Testament: the Septuagint and the Masoretic Text. The Septuagint was a translation of the Hebrew Bible into Greek and was widely used by non-Hebrew speaking Jews, as well as Gentiles who worshipped the God of the Bible.

The Masoretic Text, on the other hand, was a Hebrew translation that became predominant among Jewish communities. These two versions diverged in their contents, with the Septuagint containing additional books and additions to some of the existing books.

The Content Differences between Septuagint and Masoretic Texts

Key differences can be seen in the Septuagint version of the Old Testament:

Books originally written in Greek: The Septuagint included several books that were either originally written in Greek or had no known Hebrew originals, such as Tobit, Judith, Wisdom, Sirach, and Baruch. Additions to existing books: The Septuagint also contained extensive additions to the books of Daniel and Esther. Common books: The Septuagint and the Masoretic Text shared a majority of the same books, but the Septuagint contained additional chapters and verses.

The Septuagint was particularly popular among Gentiles who were converts to Christianity and Judaism, as it was widely recognized and used in the Roman Empire. This version became the preferred one for early Christian writers, particularly St. Paul, who frequently quoted from it in his letters.

The Adoption of the Septuagint by Early Christians

As Christianity gradually emerged as a separate faith from Judaism, the Septuagint version was adopted by the Christian church. This adoption was influenced by the fact that most Gentile converts were more familiar with the Septuagint. At the same time, Jews began to recognize the Masoretic Text as their official scripture, viewing the Septuagint as compromised due to its inclusion of non-Hebrew texts and its associations with Christianity.

The Split of Eastern and Western Churches

About a thousand years after the adoption of the Septuagint, the Eastern and Western Churches experienced a significant split, known as the ldquo;Great Schismrdquo;. During this period, the Eastern Orthodox Churches and the Western Church had differing views on which books should be considered divinely inspired. The Eastern Orthodox Church included four books from the Septuagint that were not accepted by the Western Church, known collectively as the Apocrypha.

Catholics and Eastern Orthodox Christians regarded the Septuagint version as Sacred Scripture, while Protestant Christians, influenced by the Reformation and the concept of Sola Scriptura, adopted the Masoretic Text. Many—including Protestants—argued that the Masoretic Text was closer to the original Hebrew and thus more authoritative.

The Reformation and the Protestant Perspective

The Protestant Reformation, which began around 500 years after the Great Schism, was a pivotal movement that challenged many established traditions. Central to the Protestant perspective was the idea of Sola Scriptura, the belief that the Bible alone is the final authority in matters of faith and practice.

Catholics, on the other hand, maintained the authority of the Bible combined with the teaching authority of the Apostolic Church and Sacred Tradition. For Protestants, the rejection of the Sepuagint's apocryphal books was partly motivated by the desire to distinguish their version of the Bible from the Catholic version.

It's worth noting that the decision to adopt the Masoretic Text was largely based on the preference among Jewish communities, which viewed the Masoretic Text as more authentic and authoritative. This preference was influenced by the growing distance between Christianity and Judaism.

The Catholic Old Testament: An Enriched Scripture

The Catholic Old Testament encompasses all the books included in both the Protestant and Jewish versions, with the addition of the following:

Books originally written in Greek: Tobit, Judith, Wisdom, Sirach, Baruch, 1st and 2nd Maccabees. Extra chapters in Daniel and Esther: 103 extra verses in Esther.

The Eastern Orthodox Bible similarly includes the Catholic Old Testament but also adds other books such as 1st Esdras (Ezra), 2nd Esdras (Ezra), 3rd Esdras, and 2nd and 3rd Maccabees.

These additional books, often referred to as ldquo;apocryphalrdquo; by Protestants and Jews, are regarded as part of the Sacred Scripture by Catholics and Eastern Orthodox Christians. They enrich the biblical narrative and provide further insights into the historical and cultural context of the Old Testament.

Conclusion

The journey of the Catholic Apocrypha is a fascinating one, characterized by linguistic, religious, and historical influences. From the nuanced differences between the Septuagint and the Masoretic Text to the scholarly and theological debates of the Reformation, this article has explored the origins and current status of the Catholic Old Testament. Understanding these texts is crucial for appreciating the rich tapestry of biblical literature and the diverse traditions within Christianity.