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""We spend big money with Doctors and modern medicine when all we need is a fish.""

Good one !LOL! I do love that sense of humor.

We can come up with these funny scenarios with lots of Scripture though-look at the song of songs for instance...

"I am the rose of Sharon, and the lily of the valleys. As the lily among thorns, so is my love among the daughters. As the apple tree among the trees of the wood, so is my beloved among the sons. I sat down under his shadow with great delight, and his fruit was sweet to my taste. He brought me to the banqueting house, and his banner over me was love.Stay me with flagons, comfort me with apples: for I am sick of love."

Who needs love when you have flagons with liquor and a few apples!

You have a point. Much of the Old Testament is confusing and "foreign" to our belief system.

I am not well versed in the Old Testament and can hardly hold myself out as a "qualified" judge.

However, the Apocrypha appears to be distinct from the "accepted" Old Testament books in many ways.

*None of the Apocryphal Books are written in Hebrew as are the Old Testament Books.

*None of the Apocryphal writers claim inspiration, rather, they "hope" the books are useful.

*Neither Jesus or the Apostles ever quote from the Apocrypha.

*The Old Testament is a Jewish Book and the Apocrypha is not accepted by the Jews.

Romans 3:
[1] Then what advantage has the Jew? Or what is the value of circumcision?
[2] Much in every way. To begin with, the Jews are entrusted with the oracles of God.

Of course there is much more but a few examples are sufficient to suggest a case against the Apocrypha.

Seriously though, there is some important typology regarding Tobit...

from scripturecatholic Matt.. 7:12 - Jesus' golden rule "do unto others" is the converse of Tobit 4:15 - what you hate, do not do to others.

Matt. 22:25; Mark 12:20; Luke 20:29 - Gospel writers refer to the canonicity of Tobit 3:8 and 7:11 regarding the seven brothers.

Luke 2:29 - Simeon's declaration that he is ready to die after seeing the Child Jesus follows Tobit 11:9.

Rev. 8:3-4 - prayers of the saints presented to God by the hand of an angel follows Tobit 12:12,15.

The Apocalypse are historical books and the correspondence between events recorded in the New Testament is in no way an indication of the "canonicity" of the Apocrypha.

As for the Church Fathers: This is not a valid argument. They were far from unanimous in their acceptance or rejection of the Apocrypha. I can cherrypick as well as you. :-)

None of the Apocryphal writers claim inspiration, rather, they "hope" the books are useful

Which biblical writer specifically claims to be inspired. Luke writes "Inasmuch as many have undertaken to compile an account of the things accomplished among us" (Luke 1:1) he states that many have decided to write and compile what they heard from others.

Admitting "it seemed fitting for me as well, having investigated everything carefully from the beginning, to write it out for you in consecutive order, most excellent Theophilus" (Luke 1:3)

Nowhere is there any appeal made to the holy Spirit guiding and writing for them. It's what they decided and what they knew or could find out from others who were (alleged) witnesses and servants of God. In other words hearsay.