Ten Key Differences in the Biblical Canon Across Christian Faiths

The biblical canon has been debated and discussed among Christian faiths for centuries. This collection of sacred texts forms the foundation of Christian belief and practice, yet there are notable differences in its composition across various denominations. These variations influence how Christian groups interpret and apply Scripture in their faith and daily lives.

This article explores ten critical differences in the biblical canon among Christian faiths. We’ll examine variations in the number and order of books, including deuterocanonical texts, and disparities in specific books like Daniel and Esther. By understanding these differences, readers can gain insight into the diverse approaches to Scripture within Christianity and the historical and theological factors that have shaped them.

Different Number of Books

_{Image Source: Bible Gateway}

One key difference in the biblical canon across Christian faiths is the number of books included. This variation influences the content and interpretation of Scripture for different denominations.

Protestant Canon

The Protestant Bible contains 66 books in total. The Old Testament has 39 books, the same as the Hebrew Bible. Protestants believe these books are the inspired word of God. The New Testament, consistent across all Christian denominations, has 27 books.

Catholic Canon

The Catholic Bible includes 73 books. In addition to the 39 books in the Protestant Old Testament, it contains seven more known as the deuterocanonical books. These include Tobit, Judith, 1 and 2 Maccabees, Wisdom, Sirach, and Baruch. Catholics also have additions to the books of Esther and Daniel.

Eastern Orthodox Canon

The Eastern Orthodox Church has the most extensive canon, with 76 or more books. It includes all the Catholic deuterocanonical books and texts, such as 3 Maccabees, 1 Esdras, and the Prayer of Manasseh. Some Orthodox churches also include 4 Maccabees and 2 Esdras. The exact number can vary slightly between different Orthodox traditions.

These differences in the number of books have their roots in historical and theological developments, shaping the unique perspectives of each Christian tradition.

Inclusion of Deuterocanonical Books

_{Image Source: Wikipedia}

Catholic and Orthodox Inclusion

The Catholic and Orthodox Churches include seven additional books in their Old Testament, known as the deuterocanonical books. These are Tobit, Judith, 1 and 2 Maccabees, Wisdom of Solomon, Sirach, and Baruch. They also have additions to Esther and Daniel. These books are part of the Septuagint, the Greek translation of the Old Testament used by the apostles and early Church fathers.

Protestant Exclusion

Protestants removed these books from their Bible during the Reformation, labeling them “Apocrypha.” They argued that Scripture did not inspire these writings and that they were not included in the Hebrew Bible. Some Protestant apologists point to the theory of a Jewish council at Jamnia in 90 AD that allegedly rejected these books, though most scholars today doubt such a council took place.

Historical Context

The inclusion of deuterocanonical books has deep historical roots. The early Church consistently included these books in the canon from the 300s through the 1400s. Under Pope Damasus I, the Council of Rome, in 382 AD, settled the canon of Scripture, including these books. This decision was reaffirmed at the Councils of Hippo (393 AD) and Carthage (397 AD). The Council of Florence in the mid-1400s also confirmed their inclusion in the Old Testament canon long before the Protestant Reformation.

Order of Books

_{Image Source: OverviewBible}

Tanakh vs Christian Old Testament

The order of books differs between the Jewish Tanakh and the Christian Old Testament. The Tanakh contains 24 books divided into three sections: Torah, Nevi’im, and Ketuvim. In contrast, the Christian Old Testament has 39 books organized by subject matter. While the content is identical, the arrangement varies. For example, 1 and 2 Samuel are combined in the Tanakh, as are 1 and 2 Kings and 1 and 2 Chronicles. The Tanakh ends with 2 Chronicles, while the Old Testament concludes with Malachi.

Catholic vs Protestant New Testament

The New Testament order is consistent across Catholic and Protestant Bibles, containing 27 books. However, differences exist in the Old Testament. Catholic Bibles include seven additional deuterocanonical books, such as Tobit and Judith, which Protestants consider apocryphal.

Orthodox Variations

Orthodox Christianity has a unique approach to the biblical canon. The Orthodox Bible includes all Catholic deuterocanonical books and some additional texts. For instance, the Ethiopian Tewahedo Church accepts most deuterocanonical books but excludes the Books of Maccabees. Some Orthodox traditions include texts like the Epistle of Barnabas in their New Testament canon, setting them apart from other Christian denominations.

Septuagint vs Masoretic Text

_{Image Source: Reddit}

Greek vs. Hebrew Sources

The Septuagint (LXX) is an ancient Greek translation of the Hebrew Old Testament, while the Masoretic Text (MT) is the Hebrew Bible preserved by Jewish scholars. The LXX was translated in stages, starting with the Torah in the mid-third century BCE. The MT, on the other hand, was compiled between the 5th and 10th centuries CE.

Textual Differences

Significant variations exist between the LXX and MT versions of several biblical books. For instance, LXX Jeremiah is about 1/8 shorter than MT Jeremiah, and LXX Job is 1/6 shorter than MT Job. Some differences have potential doctrinal implications. For example, Matthew’s Gospel refers to Isaiah’s prophecy of a virgin birth, which appears in LXX Isaiah 7:14 but not in MT Isaiah 7:14.

Theological Implications

The discovery of the Dead Sea Scrolls has challenged the assumption that the MT is the original version of the biblical text. Some Hebrew fragments found at Qumran are closer to the Septuagint than the MT. This suggests that both versions may represent alternative textual traditions with equal status. As a result, some scholars argue that comparing and contrasting these versions may provide a deeper understanding of the biblical message.

Acceptance of the Book of Enoch

_{Image Source: Reddit}

Ethiopian Orthodox Inclusion

The Ethiopian Orthodox Church stands out in modern Christendom for its high regard for the Book of Enoch. This ancient text is part of their biblical canon, which traditionally includes 81 books. The Ethiopian concept of canon differs from Western and other Eastern Christian traditions, reflecting a unique approach to sacred texts.

Other Denominations’ Exclusion

Most Christian denominations do not accept the Book of Enoch as part of their biblical canon. The Roman Catholic and Protestant Bibles exclude it entirely. This exclusion stems from the early Church’s decision to align with the Jewish canon established in the late 1st century, which did not include Enoch. However, some early church fathers valued the book, though they didn’t consider it Scripture.

Significance of Enoch

Despite its exclusion from most biblical canons, the Book of Enoch has historical and theological significance. It provides insights into early Jewish and Christian thought and contains unique content, including detailed apocalyptic visions and explanations of fallen angels. Interestingly, the New Testament book of Jude directly quotes from Enoch, highlighting its influence on early Christian writings. Today, many scholars and students use Enoch as a supplemental resource to understand the cultural and historical context of the early Church.

Status of 3 and 4 Esdras

_{Image Source: Quora}

Orthodox Acceptance

The Orthodox Churches have varying stances on 3 and 4 Esdras. The Greek Orthodox Church accepts the 1st Esdras (3 Esdras) but not the 2nd Esdras (4 Esdras). They consider the 2nd Esdras to be the proto-canonical Ezra-Nehemiah. The Russian Orthodox Church, however, accepts both books but titles them differently. They refer to the 1st Esdras as the proto-canonical Ezra-Nehemiah, while the 2nd and 3rd Esdras correspond to what others call the 1st and 2nd Esdras.

Catholic Apocrypha

The Catholic Church considers 3 and 4 Esdras part of the Apocrypha, a collection of Greek writings that emerged between 300 BC and AD 100. These books, along with others like 1-2 Maccabees and Tobit, were not fully recognized as authoritative until the Council of Trent established them as a ‘second canon’ within Roman Catholicism.

Protestant Rejection

Protestants generally reject 3 and 4 Esdras, along with other apocryphal books. This rejection aligns with early Jewish views, exemplified by historians like Josephus, who excluded these texts from his canon list. The Protestant stance also reflects the early Christian tradition that recognized only the threefold collection of Law, Prophets, and Writings as authoritative Scripture, supported by Jesus’ words in Luke 24:44-45.

Recognition of the Prayer of Manasseh

_{Image Source: Wikipedia}

Orthodox Canon

The Prayer of Manasseh holds a special place in Orthodox Christianity. It’s accepted as a deuterocanonical book by some Orthodox Christians and is chanted during the service of Great Compline. In certain editions of the Septuagint, it’s part of the Book of Odes. However, it doesn’t appear in Bibles printed in modern Greece, whether in ancient or modern Greek.

Catholic Appendix

While not considered canonical by the Catholic Church, the Prayer of Manasseh isn’t entirely dismissed. Pope Clement VIII included it in an appendix to the Vulgate, stating that it should continue to be read “lest it perish entirely.” This approach recognizes its historical and spiritual value, even if it’s not given full scriptural status.

Protestant Apocrypha

Protestants generally view the Prayer of Manasseh as apocryphal. However, it has been included in various Protestant Bible translations. Martin Luther included it in his 74-book German Bible translation. It also appeared in the 1537 Matthew Bible, the 1599 Geneva Bible, and the Apocrypha of the 1611 King James Bible. These inclusions suggest that while not considered canonical, the prayer has also been recognized for its spiritual significance in Protestant traditions.

Variations in the Book of Daniel

_{Image Source: Wikipedia}

Catholic and Orthodox Additions

The Book of Daniel in Catholic and Orthodox Bibles contains three additional sections not found in Protestant versions. These additions include “The Prayer of Azariah and the Song of the Three Jews,” “Susanna,” and “Bel and the Dragon.” These texts are part of the Greek Septuagint translation but are absent from the Hebrew Masoretic Text.

Protestant Text

Protestant Bibles typically exclude these additions, adhering to the Hebrew version of Daniel. This decision aligns with the Protestant emphasis on the Hebrew Bible as the authoritative Old Testament text. The Protestant Daniel consists of 12 chapters, focusing on the narratives and visions in the Hebrew original.

Historical Background

The variations in Daniel reflect different historical approaches to the biblical canon. The Septuagint, used by the early Church, included these additions, leading to their acceptance in Eastern Orthodox traditions. The Catholic Church, while recognizing the Hebrew text’s antiquity, retained these sections in the Vulgate. Protestant reformers, emphasizing a return to Hebrew sources, excluded them. These differences highlight the complex history of biblical transmission and the varying perspectives on scriptural authority across Christian denominations.

Differences in the Book of Esther

_{Image Source: מִקְרָא Mikra: Biblical studies}

Greek vs. Hebrew Versions

The Book of Esther has two main versions: the Hebrew Masoretic Text and the Greek Septuagint. The Greek version contains additional passages and differs in tone from its Hebrew counterpart. These variations reflect different historical and theological perspectives on the story.

Additional Chapters

The Greek Septuagint includes six extra chapters: Additions A through F. These additions introduce religious elements absent in the Hebrew text, such as prayers by Mordecai and Esther and explicit mentions of God. They also provide more details about edicts and events, adding depth to the narrative.

Theological Emphasis

The Greek version transforms the largely secular Hebrew story into a more religious tale. It emphasizes divine providence and Jewish religious practices, making Esther a pious figure who adheres to dietary laws and avoids pagan customs. This shift reflects the Hellenistic worldview, where religious identity had become more significant than ethnic identity.

These differences highlight how the Book of Esther evolved, adapting to changing cultural and religious contexts. The variations between versions offer insights into early Jewish biblical interpretation and the fluid nature of ancient texts.

Acceptance of the Psalms of Solomon

_{Image Source: Reddit}

Some Orthodox Traditions

Some Orthodox Christian traditions have shown interest in the Psalms of Solomon. These eighteen psalms, written in Greek, are often included in modern editions of the Septuagint, the Greek Old Testament used by Orthodox churches. This inclusion suggests a level of recognition, even if not full canonical status.

Exclusion from Other Canons

Most Christian denominations, including Catholic and Protestant churches, do not accept the Psalms of Solomon as part of their biblical canon. These psalms are considered part of the pseudepigrapha, works attributed to biblical figures but not accepted as Scripture. Despite their name, scholars believe they were not written by King Solomon but composed much later, around the first century BCE.

Historical Significance

The Psalms of Solomon have considerable historical and theological value. They provide insight into Jewish thought during the Second Temple Period, particularly regarding messianic expectations. The collection is notable for containing the earliest known use of “Son of David” as a messianic title. These psalms reflect the hopes and concerns of Jews living under Roman rule, including themes of divine judgment, the sins of Jerusalem’s inhabitants, and the anticipation of a Davidic messiah who would liberate Israel from oppression. While not considered inspired Scripture, they offer valuable context for understanding the cultural and religious environment surrounding Jesus’ earthly ministry.

Conclusion

Exploring biblical canon differences across Christian faiths sheds light on the diverse approaches to Scripture within Christianity. These variations influence how denominations interpret and apply biblical teachings in their faith and daily lives. From the number of books included to the acceptance of specific texts like the Book of Enoch or the Psalms of Solomon, these differences reflect the complex historical and theological factors that have shaped various Christian traditions.

Understanding these distinctions is crucial to grasp the nuances of different Christian faiths and their scriptural foundations. It highlights the ongoing dialog within Christianity about the nature of divine revelation and the boundaries of sacred texts. This knowledge deepens our understanding of Christian diversity and encourages respectful interfaith dialog and appreciation for the rich tapestry of biblical interpretation across denominations.