No Extras Needed: Redeemer’s Canon Stands Firm
Theology Tuesday #4
Why do we only recognize 66 books in our Bible, and not others like the Apocrypha? At Redeemer, we believe the Apocrypha—though valuable for historical insight—isn’t divinely inspired and, therefore, shouldn’t be treated as authoritative Scripture. You might come across these additional books in certain Bible editions, but historically, they’ve never held the same status as the Old and New Testament canon.
According to our doctrinal statement, the Apocrypha is “not divinely inspired.” In other words, while they may offer cultural or historical context, they weren’t accepted by the earliest Christian communities—or by Jesus and His apostles—as equal to Scripture. This isn’t about arrogance or refusing any helpful resources. It’s about remaining faithful to what the universal Church has recognized and tested over centuries.
Revelation 22:18–19 offers a sobering caution: we’re not to add to or subtract from God’s Word. The 66 canonical books—from Genesis to Revelation—have stood the test of time, confirming their unity, divine inspiration, and role in revealing Christ. They consistently point to God’s plan of redemption, culminating in Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection. Meanwhile, the Apocrypha, though sometimes edifying in a historical sense, falls short of the biblical standard of inerrancy and cohesive gospel witness.
At Redeemer, we’re passionate about God’s complete Word shaping our faith, worship, and mission. If Scripture alone is “God-breathed” (2 Timothy 3:16), then we don’t need extra or lesser texts to fill supposed gaps. Instead, we trust the Bible’s completeness, leaning on the Holy Spirit’s power to open our eyes to its treasures. We believe these 66 books offer sufficient guidance for knowing Christ and living for Him in every aspect of life.
So, when someone asks why we don’t include the Apocrypha, our response is simple: God’s Word doesn’t need help. The Old and New Testament canon already provide all we need for salvation and sanctification (Ephesians 2:20). Holding fast to this biblically affirmed collection guards us from confusion or drift.
“Redeemer’s faith rests on God’s Word—no more, no less.” It’s our conviction that the Bible, as we have it, is both fully authoritative and wholly sufficient. Next Tuesday, we’ll dig deeper into Scripture’s authority itself—who stands behind it and why that matters for our lives. Until then, stand firm in the completeness of God’s unchanging Word, trusting it to guide and grow you every day.
