Reading the Apocrypha

Yesterday, August 21, 2019, I finished my front to back read through of the Apocrypha. That affirmed my summary from having previously read scattered pieces. These writing encourage faithful living in times of pressure and persecution of the community of faith. They are examples of singing the Lord’s song in a foreign land (Psalm 137:4). For the most part they were written by and for a Jewish audience in a time of being pressured by pagan overlords to abandon not only their faith but their culture and conform to that of their oppressors, often Greek. Certainly not in some literalistic sense, but used appropriately, they could encourage the followers of Jesus to be faithful in hostile or compromising settings.

I found some of the material to be boring and confusing. I made no effort to keep track of the assorted pagan villains or Jewish traitors and heroes. Nor did I try to identify correlations to general history. Some of the material is brutally and graphically violent and cruel (e.g. Judith, 4 Maccabees). Some of the stories are fascinating and entertaining, even humorous (e.g. Bel and the Dragon). Some speak to modern issues such as sexual harassment and discounting of women (e.g. Susanna). Some reflect the accepted thinking of the time that we would find objectionable today (e.g. The Wisdom of Solomon). As I read 2 Esdras I couldn’t avoid comparing it to Revelation and wonder if and how it might have influenced New Testament apocalyptic thinking. But behind all of these assorted themes, a deep piety and courage of faith shines through.

One recurrent theme is that the eating of pork or meat that had been offered to idols was the test that was frequently presented to oppressed Jews. Based on Acts 10 and 1 Corinthians 8, this might seem to Christians to have been trivial, but it was the sign of switching loyalty to the new culture and empire as well as new religion, forsaking the God of Israel. Perhaps somewhat akin to the early Christians being forced to burn incense to the Roman Emperor. It was a pledge of allegiance to not just a hostile government but to false gods. Where opposition to Christianity is overt and official, the symbols of allegiance may be obvious (e.g. totalitarian regimes of both left and right, some Muslim, Hindu, Buddhist contexts). However where generic Judeo-Christian civil religion masquerades as legitimate faith the symbols of allegiance may be more subtle and perhaps more dangerous.

I read the Apocrypha for my ongoing education, and I am glad I did. I will not get involved in the debates about canonicity or historicity of any of this material. Nor will I sort out theological discussions about questionable doctrines drawn from selected passages. I am neither recommending nor discouraging reading of the Apocrypha by Christians of any stripe. Some things will make you shake your head, and others encourage your discipleship. If you read it, you will become a better informed person and gain some appreciation of the world into which Jesus came and the New Testament was written.