[TheRiverNile]

Interesting read, though I did find it difficult to figure out just why Martin Luther contended that the Apocrypha were “sub-sciptural.” I would wonder why he would think such a thing.

[vladimir998]

From my reading it was for two reasons that Luther degraded the Deuterocanonicals (and several books from the NT too) to less than inspired status:

1) There were debates in the early Church over their canonicity.

2) They contained ideas that he found troubling. Luther was so troubled by the Letter of James that he joked he might burn it.

“Luther placed the books of Hebrews, James, Jude and Revelation at the end of his translation and failed to note their page numbers in the index. He wrote a preface to James claiming it “contradicts Paul by teaching justification by works” M243. In the earliest editions Luther wrote his now famous comment: “St. James Epistle is really an epistle of straw compared to [St. Paul’s letters], for it lacks this evangelical character” Deutsche Bibel 6 as quoted in P988” http://gbgm-umc.org/umw/James/Background/Canon.htm#reformation

[NYer]

Interesting read, though I did find it difficult to figure out just why Martin Luther contended that the Apocrypha were “sub-sciptural.” I would wonder why he would think such a thing.

I believe this may explain it.

[Salvation]

Martin Luther took out these books because disproved his beliefs about three things and probably others.

Off the top of my head:
Faith ONLY — remember Martin Luther added the word, ONLY
Faith versus works — works are mentioned in some of these books, and disapproved of that theory.
Strong allusions to the Blessed Virgin Mary in the OLD TESTAMENT

I’m sure there are others. Anyone else?

[Salvation]

Another thing is Luthers five Solas.............you know what they are.

The Bible and the Catholic Church do not support them. Tradition is proved valid even in your KJV.

[Salvation]

Luther's Five Solas

[iowamark]

Some Protestants were/are eager to throw out Christian traditions, even parts of Scripture, so as to differentiate themselves from Catholics/Orthodox.

Also, there is a strong Calvinist/Puritan element in modern Protestantism which seeks to present a purified “stripped down” Christianity.

[GoLightly]

Interesting read, though I did find it difficult to figure out just why Martin Luther contended that the Apocrypha were “sub-sciptural.” I would wonder why he would think such a thing.

Early on, Luther was in close contact with a Jewish fellow & it probably influenced his view about the Old Testament. I believe the Apocrypha was written during the height of the power of the scribes. The Catholic Church calls them Deuterocanical, which means second canon. Whether or not they were important to be included in the canon wasn't as clear cut as the books included in the first canon.

Don't take anyone's word for it. Read them for yourself. If you think they add anything, give you greater understanding about your salvation or your Christian life, let me know.