Why are 1st and 2nd Machabees excluded from the Protestant bible?

Question

I'm aware that these books are excluded - I'm just curious why. What was different for these two books?

Answer 1

They are supposedly parts of the Old Testament which the Jews NEVER considered them AUTHORITATIVE. Why does catholicism accept them on such flimsy evidence?

The books represent Jewish history during the "inter-testimental period," but were not part of the canon of Hebrew scripture. They got included in catholicism because they were included in the Septuagint (LXX) Greek translation of the Old Testament... (The LXX was not translated FOR Jews, but for the library at Alexandria who controlled its content. Jews outside Palestine used it since many did not understand Hebrew, though its use in Judea was quite limited...) The LXX later became the primary standard on which Jerome based the Old Testament in his Latin Vulgate, the "official" Bible of the church of Rome.

Answer 2

Protestant removed them because the doctrine of purgatory is in those two books.

It was by the apostolic Tradition that the Church discerned which writings are to be included in the list of the sacred books. This complete list is called the canon of Scripture. It includes 46 books for the Old Testament (45 if we count Jeremiah and Lamentations as one) and 27 for the New.91

The Old Testament: Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, Deuteronomy, Joshua, Judges, Ruth, 1 and 2 Samuel, 1 and 2 Kings, 1 and 2 Chronicles, Ezra and Nehemiah, Tobit, Judith, Esther, 1 and 2 Maccabees, Job, Psalms, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, the Song of Songs, the Wisdom of Solomon, Sirach (Ecclesiasticus), Isaiah, Jeremiah, Lamentations, Baruch, Ezekiel, Daniel, Hosea, Joel, Amos, Obadiah, Jonah, Micah, Nahum, Habakkuk, Zephaniah, Haggai, Zechariah and Malachi.

The New Testament: the Gospels according to Matthew, Mark, Luke and John, the Acts of the Apostles, the Letters of St. Paul to the Romans, 1 and 2 Corinthians, Galatians, Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, 1 and 2 Thessalonians, 1 and 2 Timothy, Titus, Philemon, the Letter to the Hebrews, the Letters of James, 1 and 2 Peter, 1, 2, and 3 John, and Jude, and Revelation (the Apocalypse).

For more information go to this link and look for section 120 and following.
http://www.usccb.org/catechism/text/pt1sect1chpt2.htm#art3

Answer 3

The Catholic Church and Protestantism have adopted two different "canons" - collections of books that they view represent the true word of God.

Catholic bibles contain what is called the "Apocrypha." Its a collection of 4 additional books that Protestants don't support as the true word of God, but Catholics do.

As for the specific reason that the Catholic church has adopted these books, I am not certain. Ultimately at some point the Vatican found it necessary to adopt them but as for the specific reasons, that would probably be best answered by a very well educated Catholic theologian.

I know this is only a part answer, but I suppose its better than nothing.

Answer 4

If I remember correctly, a few other books were removed as well. I think the reason was that at the time, every other book had actual historical evidence to back it up, but the books that were removed didn't have this proof. However, the discovery of the Dead Sea scrolls showed the evidence that these books lacked. I don't know why they were never added again after this discovery.

Answer 5

These books have been part of the original and authentic canon of biblical scripture from the beginning, and they had been accepted by all, without objection, for some 1000 years.

They apparently offended the delicate sensibilities of Martin Luther and some of the early protestant reformers.

Those who associated themselves with Luther and friends had no strong feelings on the matter ... so out they went.

Answer 6

I have had to look in my own Bible because I had heard of them but they are not there. I would also like to know the answer

Answer 7

and not only. Inclusion or exclusion depended on political motivations over the last 2500 years. This is what created so many christianities.
"Faith is believing what you know ain't true"

Answer 8

they dont like scots people?