Deuterocanonical books excluded from Scripture; Protestant canon affirmed
Calvary Chapel affirms the 66-book Protestant canon, excluding the deuterocanonical books from Scripture. Chuck Smith taught that the deuterocanonical texts (Tobit, Wisdom, Sirach, Baruch, Maccabees) are valuable for historical understanding of Second Temple Judaism but do not possess apostolic authority or canonical inspiration. Jesus and the New Testament authors cite from the Hebrew Bible (39 OT books), not from the deuterocanonical literature.
Calvary Chapel's dispensationalism includes a specific understanding of biblical canon: the complete revelation is found in the 66 books, and no additional texts carry equal authority. The deuterocanonical books are read as important background documents but not as Scripture for doctrine or practice.
Key Distinctions
- Canonicity:
- 66-book Protestant canon; deuterocanonical excluded
- Authority:
- Historical value; no apostolic warrant
- Doctrine:
- Not used for doctrinal foundation
Scripture References
Sources
- Calvary Chapel Distinctives
- Chuck Smith on biblical canon
- Luke 24:44 (Hebrew Bible reference)