Denies
Deuterocanonical books apocryphal, not canonical Scripture
The LCMS does not include the deuterocanonical books (Tobit, Wisdom, Sirach, Baruch, additions to Daniel and Esther, 1-2 Maccabees) in the biblical canon. LCMS doctrine follows Luther's position that the biblical canon consists of 39 Old Testament books (the Hebrew canon) and 27 New Testament books. The deuterocanonical books are apocryphal — valuable for historical and devotional reading but not binding for doctrine.
LCMS Bibles include only the 66 protocanonical books. While the LCMS recognizes the historical importance of the deuterocanonical books in Jewish and Christian tradition, they are not received as Scripture or used for doctrine.
Key Distinctions
- Canonical status:
- adheres to 66-book Protestant canon
- Apocrypha status:
- designated apocryphal by LCMS
- Historical value:
Scripture References
Sources
- LCMS doctrinal position on biblical canon
- Luther's Preface to the Old Testament
- Formula of Concord, Solid Declaration