[redgolum]

I read the first introduction of the book, it is the apocalyptic Esdras. I asked because in the first two chapters, it appears to be a totally different book than the rest of the book, and makes some statements that would be out of place for a Jew before Jesus to make. That is why I asked if the RCC considered it canon.

I am reading some of the Apocrypha to get a bit of background in my Old Testament class on the time between the testaments. Lutherans do not hold the Apocrypha to be canon, but many "old school" pastors encourage reading them.

[dangus]

I am not terribly familiar with what I'll call "4 Esdras." I do seem to remember that many considered that it was likely completed after Christ. If your purpose is to study intertestimental writings, I would stick to the dueterocanonical scriptures; I would lump 4 Esdras in more with "The Shepherd of Hermes" than with "Wisdom" or "Maccabees." Such books as Wisdom and 1+2 Maccabees were widely read at the time of Jesus. Whether you regard them as scripture, they greatly shaped Jesus' ministry. (Why does Jesus have such a unique devotion to the Feast of the Dedication? 2 Maccabees tells us the date of that Feast was December 25th*! hint! hint!) 4 Esdras, on the other hand, was never considered scriptural by anyone.

(*actually, the 25th of the Hebrew month most close to december).