Today, we conclude our series on how the Bible we know and read today came together - why these 66 books are included, which ones were left out, and why. We have the idea that the canon of Scripture - especially the New Testament - was decided upon by a group of old bishops with bad motives and a sinister agenda, huddled around a smoldering fire with their robes drawn tight. Actually, these sacred writings were collected and compiled in a much more organic way. The Gospels were written by faithful eyewitnesses, copied and distributed among fledgling churches. The Letters were written by the apostles themselves, then collected for posterity by their friends, their traveling companions. As the Christian movement exploded, demand for these collections grew, and they became an integral part of worship and liturgy in the churches. There were councils involved later on, and some writings were disqualified for good reasons we will talk about. The end result - 27 books we know as the New Testament!

Between the Old Testament and the New Testament writings in our Bibles, there were 400 years. They call it the Silent Period. It was anything but silent! Jewish writers, rabbis, and scholars were feverishly writing. They produced volumes of works interpreting, commenting, and expanding on the wisdom contained in the Hebrew Bible. Some were historical fiction, some proverbs and oracles, and others were interpretive commentaries, filling in the blanks to help their readers make sense of difficult theological concepts in their newfound Greco-Roman context. They were not Scripture, but they were useful, highly prized, and widely read. Jesus read them. So did Paul, Jude, Peter, and the other apostles. We know this because ideas, concepts, and even direct quotations show up in many of the New Testament writings! They're under the surface, but once you spot them, it's undeniable! What are these ancient books, and why should we read them? Jump in - let's go!

Not every Bible is alike. If you look at a Protestant Bible, you'll find 66 books. That's what most of us are familiar with. But if you pick up a Catholic Bible, you'll discover 9 extra books! If you open an Orthodox Bible, you'll see 14 extra books! And if you happen to come across an Ethiopian Orthodox Bible, you might see up to 23 extra books! What are these books? Who wrote them? Should I read them - can I trust them - or should I be wary of them? These extra books are a collection of 2nd temple Jewish writings - and yes, you should read them! They are not Scripture, but they are valuable and important. The early Church called this collection the Deuterocanon - the 2nd canon. It later became known as the apocrypha, which means hidden. What are we to make of all this? That's what we're exploring today. Join us as we dive into this fascinating body of sacred work - the apocrypha!