***The reason they were dropped is that they teach Catholic doctrines that the Protestant Reformers chose to reject.***
Any other "Catholic doctrines" other than prayer for the dead/purgatory [2 Macc. 12:41-45] taught in these books? The indication is that there are other doctrines as well that Protestants were seeking to avoid.
Or are we debating only four verses of doctrinal significance?
Not sure as it covers a lot of material, but the link in 12 provides a bridge between new and old and what is a reference to what.
Regardless, one still has to ask why these books, which Luther still used as an appendix were dropped altogether, and why specifically wouldn't books like Maccabees be used. What is your argument against maccabees?
What an odd question. I suppose it could be asked of the entire Bible. But to what end? Toss out all verses not strictly doctrinal?