Good post. I was wondering when somebody would set the record straight on these bogus writings. Plus, Josephus didn’t include Maccabees as inspired scripture. I think we would do well if we stuck with the canon we have.
Maybe I just notice it more (some kind of selection bias), but lately I see too many people chasing after really foolish things.
I agree with you on ‘bogus writings’ however I believe Maccabees was part of the canon for all Christians until its removal for Protestants during the Reformation.
I think it is included because it is in the Septuagint, used by early Christians.
In any case I wouldn’t take Josephus (if we’re thinking of the same Josephus) as an authority on the canon.