What if the books you consider “biblical” were once fiercely contested, shaping centuries of religious thought and dividing believers?

From Jerome’s reservations about certain “apocrypha” to Martin Luther’s bold reclassification, the Deuterocanonical texts (Tobit, Judith, Wisdom, Sirach, Baruch, 1–2 Maccabees, etc.) ignited intense debates. This volume, adapted for modern readers, compiles those texts alongside Luther’s and Jerome’s prologues, as well as Council of Trent decrees, illustrating how these controversies molded the Catholic-Protestant divide.

Included Texts:

Deuterocanonical Writings – Tobit, Judith, Wisdom, Sirach, Baruch, 1–2 Maccabees, Additions to Esther & Daniel.
Jerome’s Prologues – Vulgate prefaces clarifying his stance on “secondary” books.
Luther’s Prefaces – Explaining why he labeled them “Apocrypha.”
Council of Trent Selections – Formalizing these books as canonical in Catholic tradition.

What You’ll Discover Inside:

History of Canon Formation – How scriptural boundaries evolved over centuries.
Theological Tensions – Debates over purgatory, prayer for the dead, and salvific teachings.
Impact on Protestant & Catholic Beliefs – See how the acceptance or rejection of these texts shaped doctrines.
Ecclesiastical & Scholarly Disputes – Witness the interplay of politics, linguistics, and faith in forging the Bible.

Peek behind the scenes of a thousand-year struggle that still influences Christian denominations today. Decide for yourself where these remarkable texts belong.

Various Church Sources