Denies
Deuterocanonical books not canonical; follow Hebrew OT canon
The CRC, following the Protestant Reformation, does not recognize the deuterocanonical books as canonical Scripture. The 39 books of the Hebrew Bible/Old Testament constitute the complete OT canon. While the deuterocanonical books (Tobit, Judith, Wisdom, Sirach, Baruch, 1-2 Maccabees) have historical and devotional value, they lack apostolic endorsement in the NT and were not universally recognized in the early church. The CRC affirms sola scriptura and the principle of biblical sufficiency, excluding the deuterocanonical books from binding doctrine and interpretation.
Key Distinctions
- Canonical status:
- sola scriptura; 39-book canon
- Apocrypha status:
- Historical value:
- historical/devotional but not binding
Scripture References
Sources
- CRC Statement on Biblical Canon
- Belgic Confession, Article IV