Martin Luther, the famous German theologian and key figure in the Protestant Reformation, is known for his role in translating the Bible into German and making it more accessible to the common people. However, what is less known is the fact that Luther removed seven books from the Old Testament during this process. In this article, we will explore why Luther made this controversial decision and delve into some interesting facts about this pivotal moment in history.
1. The Apocrypha: The seven books that Martin Luther removed from the Old Testament are known as the Apocrypha. These books are Tobit, Judith, Wisdom, Sirach, Baruch, and 1 and 2 Maccabees. They were originally included in the Septuagint, the Greek translation of the Hebrew Bible, but were later excluded from the Hebrew canon.
2. Luther’s view on the Apocrypha: Luther believed that the Apocrypha should not be considered scripture because they were not included in the Hebrew Bible. He argued that these books did not meet the same criteria as the rest of the Old Testament books and contained teachings that were not in line with his interpretation of the Christian faith.
3. Justification by faith alone: One of the key reasons why Luther removed the Apocrypha from the Bible was his emphasis on the doctrine of justification by faith alone. Luther believed that salvation came through faith in Jesus Christ alone, and he felt that the teachings in the Apocrypha could potentially confuse or contradict this central tenet of the Christian faith.
4. Historical context: Luther’s decision to remove the Apocrypha from the Bible must be understood in the context of the broader Reformation movement. During this time, there was a growing emphasis on returning to the original sources of Christianity and questioning the authority of the Catholic Church. Luther saw the Apocrypha as part of the tradition that needed to be reformed in light of the teachings of the Bible.
5. Influence on Protestantism: Luther’s removal of the Apocrypha from the Bible had a lasting impact on Protestantism. The Protestant reformers who followed Luther also rejected these books, and they were not included in the Protestant canon of the Bible. Today, most Protestant Bibles do not include the Apocrypha as part of the Old Testament.
6. Controversy: Luther’s decision to remove the Apocrypha was controversial at the time and continues to be a point of debate among Christians today. Some argue that these books contain valuable teachings and should be included in the Bible, while others support Luther’s decision to exclude them. The debate over the Apocrypha highlights the complexities of interpreting and understanding scripture.
7. Catholic response: The Catholic Church, in response to Luther’s removal of the Apocrypha, reaffirmed the inclusion of these books in the Old Testament. The Council of Trent, held in the 16th century in response to the Protestant Reformation, officially declared the Apocrypha to be part of the canon of scripture for Catholics. This decision solidified the differences between Catholic and Protestant Bibles.
8. Translation impact: By removing the Apocrypha from the Bible, Luther’s translation of the scriptures into German had a significant impact on the development of the German language and culture. The Luther Bible, with its exclusion of the Apocrypha, became a key text in shaping the German Protestant identity and influencing future translations of the Bible.
9. Legacy: Martin Luther’s decision to remove the Apocrypha from the Old Testament remains a controversial and significant moment in the history of Christianity. While opinions on the inclusion of these books in the Bible continue to vary, Luther’s actions reflect his commitment to reforming the church and emphasizing the primacy of scripture in matters of faith.
Common Questions:
1. Why did Martin Luther remove the Apocrypha from the Bible?
– Luther believed that the Apocrypha should not be considered scripture because they were not included in the Hebrew Bible and contained teachings that were not in line with his interpretation of the Christian faith.
2. What are the seven books that Luther removed from the Old Testament?
– The seven books are Tobit, Judith, Wisdom, Sirach, Baruch, and 1 and 2 Maccabees.
3. What impact did Luther’s decision have on Protestantism?
– Luther’s removal of the Apocrypha from the Bible had a lasting impact on Protestantism, as most Protestant Bibles do not include these books in the Old Testament.
4. How did the Catholic Church respond to Luther’s removal of the Apocrypha?
– The Catholic Church reaffirmed the inclusion of the Apocrypha in the Old Testament and declared these books to be part of the canon of scripture for Catholics.
5. What was the historical context of Luther’s decision to remove the Apocrypha?
– Luther’s decision must be understood in the context of the broader Reformation movement, which emphasized returning to the original sources of Christianity and questioning the authority of the Catholic Church.
6. Why did Luther emphasize the doctrine of justification by faith alone?
– Luther believed that salvation came through faith in Jesus Christ alone and felt that the teachings in the Apocrypha could potentially confuse or contradict this central tenet of the Christian faith.
7. How did Luther’s translation of the Bible into German impact the development of the language and culture?
– Luther’s translation had a significant impact on the development of the German language and culture, shaping the German Protestant identity and influencing future translations of the Bible.
8. Why is the debate over the Apocrypha still relevant today?
– The debate over the Apocrypha continues to be relevant because it highlights the complexities of interpreting and understanding scripture, as well as the differences between Catholic and Protestant views on the canon of the Bible.
9. What was the Council of Trent’s response to Luther’s removal of the Apocrypha?
– The Council of Trent reaffirmed the inclusion of the Apocrypha in the Old Testament and declared these books to be part of the canon of scripture for Catholics.
10. How did Luther’s decision to remove the Apocrypha reflect his commitment to reforming the church?
– Luther’s decision to remove the Apocrypha reflected his commitment to reforming the church by emphasizing the primacy of scripture in matters of faith and challenging traditional teachings that he believed were not in line with the Bible.
11. What role did the Protestant Reformation play in Luther’s decision to remove the Apocrypha?
– The Protestant Reformation, with its emphasis on returning to the original sources of Christianity and questioning the authority of the Catholic Church, influenced Luther’s decision to remove the Apocrypha from the Bible.
12. How did the exclusion of the Apocrypha impact the German Protestant identity?
– The exclusion of the Apocrypha from the Bible in Luther’s translation contributed to the shaping of the German Protestant identity and influenced the development of Protestant theology and practice in Germany.
13. What are some of the arguments for including the Apocrypha in the Bible?
– Some argue that the Apocrypha contain valuable teachings and provide important insights into the history and culture of the Jewish people during the intertestamental period.
14. How did Luther’s view on the Apocrypha differ from the Catholic Church’s view?
– Luther believed that the Apocrypha should not be considered scripture because they were not included in the Hebrew Bible, while the Catholic Church affirmed the inclusion of these books in the Old Testament.
15. What impact did Luther’s translation of the Bible have on the wider Protestant movement?
– Luther’s translation of the Bible into German had a significant impact on the wider Protestant movement, as it influenced future translations of the Bible and helped shape Protestant theology and practice.
16. How did the debate over the Apocrypha contribute to the ongoing divisions within Christianity?
– The debate over the Apocrypha has contributed to the ongoing divisions within Christianity by highlighting the differences between Catholic and Protestant views on the canon of scripture and the authority of the Bible.
17. What is the significance of Luther’s removal of the Apocrypha in the context of the Protestant Reformation?
– Luther’s removal of the Apocrypha from the Bible is significant in the context of the Protestant Reformation because it reflects his commitment to reforming the church and emphasizing the primacy of scripture in matters of faith.
In conclusion, Martin Luther’s decision to remove the seven books of the Apocrypha from the Old Testament was a controversial and significant moment in the history of Christianity. By excluding these books from the Bible, Luther sought to emphasize the primacy of scripture in matters of faith and reform the teachings of the church. While opinions on the inclusion of the Apocrypha in the Bible continue to vary, Luther’s actions reflect his commitment to challenging traditional teachings and returning to the original sources of Christianity. The debate over the Apocrypha highlights the complexities of interpreting and understanding scripture, as well as the ongoing divisions within Christianity over the canon of the Bible.