By the same reckoning how do you justify the inclusion of James, Jude and Revelation?
>Luther disagreed with adding them in and The book of Apocalypse was the most heavily disputed before canon was closed in the 4th century
If one is to ask you, "I wonder what it is in the book of the Apocalypse that it should be included" - what is your answer? Is it "that this is in scripture decided in the councils"? well then that's the same answer for the Deuterocanonicals
I would just LOVE if my answer actually made a difference in what keeps getting thrown out there about the "canon" of the Bible. I'll take a leap of faith and assume you really want my answer. Here it is:
ALL the books that make up the New Testament which we ALL agree is Divinely inspired, God blessed and inerrant Holy Scripture is accepted as such for three reasons:
1. The Apostles of Jesus Christ gave their approval of these books as they were composed and circulated throughout the different local churches. They were carefully copied and great care was given to preserve them as THE authority by which all doctrinal claims could be measured.
2. Most all of these local churches, with very few exceptions, received these letters as from the Apostles themselves and honored them and followed the teachings and precepts they spoke of JUST as the Jewish people had received their sacred writings from God-ordained prophets.
3. Lastly, because they speak to the heart of every believer as if the Holy Spirit was right there leading and guiding us through them. It is through the Holy Spirit that they are discerned as from Almighty God. The unsaved read it and it is "foolishness to them" because they do not have the Holy Spirit illuminating the truths of God to them.
I don't get that sense when I read from the Apocrypha/Deuterocanonical books. There is no light of God that I feel when reading them, no spiritual connection. Now, granted, that is subjective, but my question had to do with those who DO consider them as equal to the other books ALL believers hold has inspired. What is it in these books that YOU believe reveal divine truth that cannot be found in the undisputed books?