The Bible is a collection of religious texts that holds immense significance for millions of people around the world. It is considered to be the holy book of Christianity and is divided into two main sections: the Old Testament and the New Testament. The Bible has a long and complex history, with various translations and interpretations over time.
While most people are familiar with the books that are included in the Bible, many may not be aware of the existence of other books that were not included. These books are referred to as the Apocrypha or the Deuterocanonical books and were removed from the Bible by various religious authorities throughout history.
Why Were Some Books Removed from The Bible?
The process of deciding which books to include in the Bible was a long and complex one that involved numerous religious authorities over time. The criteria for inclusion were often based on factors such as the book’s authorship, its doctrinal consistency, and its general acceptance among the faithful.
Some books, however, did not meet these criteria and were deemed non-canonical or apocryphal. The reasons for their exclusion varied, but they often involved concerns about their authenticity, theological soundness, or historical accuracy. Many of these books were also considered to be less central to the core teachings of Christianity, which contributed to their removal from the Bible.
In the next section, we will provide a comprehensive list of 75 books that were removed from the Bible and explore their significance and the reasons for their exclusion.
List of 75 Books Removed from The Bible Pdf Download
In this section, we will provide a comprehensive list of 75 books that were removed from the Bible. We have categorized them according to their respective genres to make it easier for readers to navigate the list. We will also briefly describe each book, its significance, and the reason for its exclusion from the Bible.
A. Old Testament Apocrypha
1. Tobit – A story about a pious Jew living in Nineveh, who is helped by an angel to overcome various trials. It was excluded because of its lack of historical accuracy.
2. Judith – A heroic tale of a Jewish widow who saves her city from the Assyrian army. It was excluded because of its historical inaccuracies.
3. Wisdom of Solomon – A philosophical work that explores the nature of wisdom and its relationship to God. It was excluded because of its authorship and the lack of acceptance among the Jewish community.
4. Sirach – A book of wisdom literature that provides practical advice on how to live a good life. It was excluded because of its authorship and the lack of acceptance among the Jewish community.
5. Baruch – A letter purportedly written by the prophet Jeremiah’s scribe, Baruch. It was excluded because of its authorship and the lack of acceptance among the Jewish community.
6. 1 Maccabees – A historical account of the Maccabean revolt against the Seleucid Empire. It was excluded because of its historical inaccuracies.
7. 2 Maccabees – A continuation of the first book of Maccabees, detailing the exploits of the Maccabean leaders. It was excluded because of its historical inaccuracies.
B. New Testament Apocrypha
8. Gospel of Thomas – A collection of sayings attributed to Jesus. It was excluded because of its gnostic teachings.
9. Gospel of Judas – A narrative that portrays Judas as a hero rather than a villain. It was excluded because of its gnostic teachings.
10. Gospel of Mary – A gospel that highlights the role of Mary Magdalene in the early Christian movement. It was excluded because of its gnostic teachings.
11. Infancy Gospel of James – A story about the childhood of Mary, the mother of Jesus. It was excluded because of its lack of historical accuracy.
12. Infancy Gospel of Thomas – A story about the childhood of Jesus. It was excluded because of its lack of historical accuracy.
13. Acts of Peter – A collection of stories about the apostle Peter. It was excluded because of its questionable authorship.
14. Acts of Paul – A collection of stories about the apostle Paul. It was excluded because of its questionable authorship.
15. Acts of John – A collection of stories about the apostle John. It was excluded because of its questionable authorship.
16. Apocalypse of Peter – A vision of the afterlife that includes graphic descriptions of punishment in hell. It was excluded because of its questionable authorship.
17. Shepherd of Hermas – A work of allegorical fiction that uses the image of a shepherd to impart moral teachings. It was excluded because of its lack of acceptance among early Christian communities.
C. Pseudepigrapha
18. Testament of Abraham – A story about the life of Abraham, including his encounter with the angel of death. It was excluded because of its questionable authorship.
19. Testament of Job – A story about the life of Job, including his encounter with Satan. It was excluded because of its questionable authorship.
20. Apocalypse of Adam – A vision of the afterlife that includes descriptions of the creation of the world. It was excluded because of its gnostic teachings.
21. Book of Enoch – A collection of apocalyptic writings attributed to Enoch, a figure from the Hebrew Bible. It was excluded because of its gnostic teachings and the lack of acceptance among the Jewish community.
22. Secrets of Enoch – A collection of visions attributed to Enoch that includes details about creation, the fall of the angels, and the end of the world. It was excluded because of its gnostic teachings.
23. Apocalypse of Abraham – A vision of the afterlife that includes descriptions of the creation of the world and the role of angels. It was excluded because of its gnostic teachings.
24. Jubilees – A retelling of the biblical history from the creation of the world to the giving of the Law. It was excluded because of its authorship and the lack of acceptance among the Jewish community.
25. Assumption of Moses – A story about the death and assumption of Moses, as well as a prediction of future events. It was excluded because of its authorship and the lack of acceptance among the Jewish community.
26. Book of Jasher – A retelling of biblical stories, including the creation, the flood, and the life of Abraham. It was excluded because of its questionable authorship and the lack of acceptance among the Jewish community.
D. Gnostic Texts
27. Gospel of Philip – A collection of sayings attributed to Jesus that emphasizes the role of spiritual union in salvation. It was excluded because of its gnostic teachings.
28. Gospel of Truth – A work that explores the relationship between knowledge and salvation. It was excluded because of its gnostic teachings.
29. Gospel of the Egyptians – A collection of sayings attributed to Jesus that emphasizes the role of the divine feminine. It was excluded because of its gnostic teachings.
30. Gospel of the Nazarenes – A gospel that includes additional material about the teachings and life of Jesus. It was excluded because of its lack of historical accuracy.
31. Gospel of the Ebionites – A gospel that emphasizes the Jewishness of Jesus and his teachings. It was excluded because of its lack of acceptance among early Christian communities.
32. Gospel of the Hebrews – A gospel that emphasizes the Jewishness of Jesus and his teachings. It was excluded because of its lack of acceptance among early Christian communities.
34. Apocalypse of James – A vision of the afterlife that includes descriptions of the ascent of the soul. It was excluded because of its gnostic teachings. 1st and 2nd
35. Sophia of Jesus Christ – A work that explores the nature of wisdom and its relationship to salvation. It was excluded because of its gnostic teachings.
36. Dialogue of the Savior – A collection of sayings attributed to Jesus that emphasizes the role of spiritual knowledge in salvation. It was excluded because of its gnostic teachings.
E. Other Texts
37. The Didache – A manual of early Christian teachings and practices. It was excluded because of its lack of acceptance among early Christian communities.
38. Letter of Barnabas – A letter that encourages Jewish Christians to reject Jewish practices and embrace Christian teachings. It was excluded because of its questionable authorship.
39. 3 Corinthians – A letter attributed to Paul that includes a story about his ascension to the third heaven. It was excluded because of its questionable authorship.
40. Testament of the Twelve Patriarchs – A collection of moral teachings attributed to the twelve sons of Jacob. It was excluded because of its late authorship and the lack of acceptance among early Christian communities.
41. Acts of Paul and Thecla – A story about the adventures of Paul and his companion Thecla. It was excluded because of its questionable authorship and the lack of acceptance among early Christian communities.
42. Acts of Peter – A story about the adventures of Peter and his companion Clement. It was excluded because of its questionable authorship and the lack of acceptance among early Christian communities.
43. Acts of John – A story about the adventures of John and his companion Prochorus. It was excluded because of its questionable authorship and the lack of acceptance among early Christian communities.
44. Acts of Andrew – A story about the adventures of Andrew and his companion Matthias. It was excluded because of its questionable authorship and the lack of acceptance among early Christian communities.
45. Acts of Thomas – A story about the adventures of Thomas and his companion Thaddaeus. It was excluded because of its questionable authorship and the lack of acceptance among early Christian communities.
46. Acts of Philip – A story about the adventures of Philip and his companion Bartholomew. It was excluded because of its questionable authorship and the lack of acceptance among early Christian communities.
47. Acts of Matthew – A story about the adventures of Matthew and his companion Barnabas. It was excluded because of its questionable authorship and the lack of acceptance among early Christian communities.
48. Acts of James – A story about the adventures of James and his companion Mariamne. It was excluded because of its questionable authorship and the lack of acceptance among early Christian communities.
49. Acts of Paul – A story about the adventures of Paul and his companion Thecla. It was excluded because of its questionable authorship and the lack of acceptance among early Christian communities.
50. Shepherd of Hermas – A collection of visions and parables that emphasize the importance of repentance and forgiveness. It was excluded because of its questionable authorship and the lack of acceptance among early Christian communities.
51. Epistle of Polycarp to the Philippians – A letter that encourages Christians to remain steadfast in their faith. It was excluded because of its lack of historical accuracy.
52. Epistle of Barnabas – A letter that encourages Jewish Christians to reject Jewish practices and embrace Christian teachings. It was excluded because of its questionable authorship and the lack of acceptance among early Christian communities.
53. Acts of Pilate – A document that includes a report of the trial and crucifixion of Jesus from the perspective of Pontius Pilate. It was excluded because of its lack of historical accuracy.
54. Apocalypse of Peter – A vision of the afterlife that includes descriptions of the punishments for sinners. It was excluded because of its questionable authorship and the lack of acceptance among early Christian communities.
55. Gospel of Thomas – A collection of sayings attributed to Jesus that emphasizes the importance of inner knowledge. It was excluded because of its gnostic teachings.
56. Gospel of Mary Magdalene – A gospel that includes additional material about the teachings and life of Mary Magdalene. It was excluded because of its questionable authorship and the lack of acceptance among early Christian communities.
57. Infancy Gospel of James – A story about the childhood of Jesus and the birth of Mary. It was excluded because of its questionable authorship and the lack of acceptance among early Christian communities.
58. Infancy Gospel of Thomas – A story about the childhood of Jesus and the miracles he performed. It was excluded because of its questionable authorship and the lack of acceptance among early Christian communities.
59. Acts of Andrew and Matthias – A story about the adventures of Andrew and Matthias. It was excluded because of its questionable authorship and the lack of acceptance among early Christian communities.
60. Acts of Barnabas – A story about the adventures of Barnabas and his companion John Mark. It was excluded because of its questionable authorship and the lack of acceptance among early Christian communities.
61. Acts of Peter and Andrew – A story about the adventures of Peter and Andrew. It was excluded because of its questionable authorship and the lack of acceptance among early Christian communities.
62. Apocalypse of Paul – A vision of the afterlife that includes descriptions of heaven and hell. It was excluded because of its questionable authorship and the lack of acceptance among early Christian communities.
63. Acts of Timothy – A story about the adventures of Timothy and his companions. It was excluded because of its questionable authorship and the lack of acceptance among early Christian communities.
64. Epistle to the Laodiceans – A letter that encourages Christians to remain steadfast in their faith. It was excluded because of its lack of authenticity.
65. Gospel of the Ebionites – A gospel that emphasizes the Jewishness of Jesus and encourages the observance of Jewish practices. It was excluded because of its unorthodox teachings.
66. Gospel of the Nazarenes – A gospel that emphasizes the Jewishness of Jesus and encourages the observance of Jewish practices. It was excluded because of its unorthodox teachings.
67. Gospel of the Hebrews – A gospel that emphasizes the Jewishness of Jesus and encourages the observance of Jewish practices. It was excluded because of its unorthodox teachings.
68. Gospel of the Egyptians – A gospel that emphasizes the importance of spiritual knowledge and the rejection of materialism. It was excluded because of its gnostic teachings.
69. Secret Gospel of Mark – A version of the Gospel of Mark that includes additional material about the teachings and life of Jesus. It was excluded because of its questionable authenticity.
70. Odes of Solomon – A collection of hymns that praise God and celebrate the spiritual journey of the soul. It was excluded because of its questionable authorship and the lack of acceptance among early Christian communities.
71. Testament of Abraham – A story about the death of Abraham and his journey through the afterlife. It was excluded because of its questionable authorship and the lack of acceptance among early Christian communities.
72. Testament of Isaac – A story about the death of Isaac and his journey through the afterlife. It was excluded because of its questionable authorship and the lack of acceptance among early Christian communities.
73. Testament of Jacob – A story about the death of Jacob and his journey through the afterlife. It was excluded because of its questionable authorship and the lack of acceptance among early Christian communities.
74. Testament of Job – A story about the life and trials of Job. It was excluded because of its questionable authorship and the lack of acceptance among early Christian communities.
75. Prayer of Manasseh – A prayer attributed to King Manasseh, who repented of his sins and sought God’s forgiveness. It was excluded because of its questionable authorship and the lack of acceptance among early Christian communities.
76. Psalms 152-155 – A collection of psalms that were excluded from the Bible because of their questionable authorship and the lack of acceptance among early Christian communities.
Conclusion
This article has provided a comprehensive list of 75 books that were removed from the Bible, categorized according to their respective genres. We also briefly described each book, its significance, and the reason for its exclusion from the Bible. The criteria used to determine which books should be included in the Bible were discussed, and the reasons why some books were deemed non-canonical or apocryphal were explained.
Studying these removed books is important to gain a deeper understanding of the history and evolution of Christianity. These books offer valuable insights into the beliefs, practices, and struggles of early Christians and the diverse range of theological perspectives that existed within the early Christian communities.
Therefore, readers are encouraged to explore these books and draw their own conclusions about their relevance and significance. By doing so, readers can broaden their understanding of the Bible and the history of Christianity and gain new insights into the diverse range of beliefs and practices that have shaped this influential religion.