Question:
What are the Deuterocanonical books? Are they inspired by the Holy Spirit and suitable for Christian doctrine?
Answer:
The term Deuterocanonical refers to seven additional books included by the Roman Catholic Church alongside the traditional 66 books of the Bible, bringing the total number of books in the Catholic Bible to 73. The word Deuterocanonical means “second canon,” indicating that these books were added after the original list of 66 books was established.
The seven Deuterocanonical books are:
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Tobit
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Judith
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1 Maccabees
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2 Maccabees
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Wisdom (also called the Wisdom of Solomon)
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Sirach (Ecclesiasticus)
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Baruch
These books were written after the last Old Testament prophet, Malachi, and before the New Testament era. Originally, neither the Jewish community nor the early Christians regarded these texts as part of the inspired Scripture. They were only officially added to the canon by Pope Damasus I in the 4th century AD.
Are these books truly inspired Scripture?
This question is answered differently by various Christian traditions:
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Roman Catholic Perspective: The Catholic Church teaches that the Deuterocanonical books are indeed inspired by the Holy Spirit and therefore part of the canonical Scriptures. This view is grounded in the Church’s tradition and councils (e.g., the Council of Trent, 1546), which affirmed these books as authoritative and useful for teaching, correcting, and training in righteousness (cf. 2 Timothy 3:16 ESV).
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Protestant and Some Orthodox Perspectives: Many Protestant churches reject the Deuterocanonical books as inspired Scripture, affirming the 66-book canon as the complete Bible. They argue that the Deuterocanonical books contain teachings inconsistent with the rest of Scripture, which suggests these writings were not inspired by the Holy Spirit.
For example, 2 Maccabees 12:43-45 encourages prayers for the dead and the offering of sacrifices for the dead, a practice not found or endorsed in the 66-book Protestant canon. Scripture elsewhere teaches clearly that death leads to judgment (Hebrews 9:27 ESV):
“And just as it is appointed for man to die once, and after that comes judgment…”
There is no biblical support for praying for the dead, as taught in some Deuterocanonical passages.
Moreover, some Deuterocanonical texts contain references to behaviors and practices (such as drunkenness, superstition, and questionable dialogues) that conflict with the consistent moral and theological teachings of the canonical Scriptures. Because God is perfectly consistent, His inspired Word does not contradict itself
(Psalm 119:160 ESV):
“The sum of your word is truth, and every one of your righteous rules endures forever.”
Therefore, from the Protestant viewpoint, the Deuterocanonical books are not considered divinely inspired Scripture but rather extra writings that are historically and culturally interesting but not authoritative for doctrine or practice.
Summary:
The Bible containing 66 books—from Genesis to Revelation—is recognized by most Christians as the fully inspired and inerrant Word of God. While the Deuterocanonical books have been historically included in the Catholic Bible, their divine inspiration is disputed. Christians should carefully consider the source and consistency of their scriptural texts and teachings, guarding against doctrines that contradict the clear revelation of God’s Word.
Paul’s warning in 1 Timothy 4:1 (ESV) reminds us:
“Now the Spirit expressly says that in later times some will depart from the faith by devoting themselves to deceitful spirits and teachings of demons.”
May the Lord bless and keep you.