Take for instance the apocryphal book Bel and the Dragon.
Have you ever read it, and why do you think it should be left out of the canon of scripture?
I am looking for YOUR OWN original research, not because so and so says so. Okay?
2007-11-12 13:08:46 · 7 answers · asked by Jed 7 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Thumbs up for whirlingmerc, Michselle & Dusty Scribe. I might add that seventy Jewish scholars did not include it in the Greek Septuagint.
2007-11-12 13:14:13 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
Bel and the Dragon (along with the rest of the Apocrypha) doesn't belong in the canon of Scripture because it isn't in the Hebrew canon.
The Jews have twenty-two books in their Bible, and these correspond to the thirty-nine books in the Protestant English Bible. The difference is in the way these books are broken down.
The ancient historian Flavius Josephus agrees that the Jews have twenty-two books of Scripture.
Since the Jews don't include the Apocrypha in their canon, why should Christians add to the Old Testament what was not there prior to Christianity?
2007-11-12 13:13:54 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
In my own brief research it can be summed up in this sentence:
Greek apocryphal addition to the biblical Book of Daniel.
And now, I have read the so called story of Bel and the Dragon, and easily see that the writing style is not even close to being typical of the rest of the book of Daniel.
At least with books like the BOM and the Quran, the writers tried to mimick the respected Bible writings to lend an air of 'official authorship' from God.
Thank you for directing me to consider this possible 'deletion' from the scriptures. I appreciate any direction that will help me to continue furthering my faith in scripture. The fact that you brought this question up now makes it possible for me to never have to investigate it again.
2007-11-12 13:13:29 · answer #3 · answered by Tim 47 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
1) The apochrapha is never quoted in the New Testament
and 2) the Jews are the custodians of the law according to Romans and did not consider it as scripture. Those would be two good reasons.
2007-11-12 13:11:52 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
Found a site with the book (or chapter): http://www.hope.edu/academic/religion/bandstra/BIBLE/BEL/BEL1.HTM
Read it, and found nothing spiritual there, nothing very inspirational there. Seemed more like a folk tale compared to the prophetic book of Daniel.
Why do you feel it belongs? Did you get anything out of it?
2007-11-12 13:21:29 · answer #5 · answered by ignoramus_the_great 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes. It sucks.
2007-11-12 13:17:09 · answer #6 · answered by Ace of Spades 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Okay.
2007-11-12 13:11:18 · answer #7 · answered by Royal Racer Hell=Grave © 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋