Pard,
Once again you ask a question that relates to principles of canonicity. These so called lost books are not in the Bible because they do not meet the test of canonicity. The Reformation came about for many reasons, but one of them was an interest in Hebrew and Greek manuscripts and a noting of how they were not actually consistent with the Latin Vulgate. Then, an interest grew in just what is the Bible, and Protestants started comparing Catholic tradition on the canon to principles actually found in Scripture.
In debates with Catholics on his theology, in what was essentially a trail, Luther questioned the canonicity of the Apocrapha. This led to a debate on whether these books should be in the Bible, and by the mid 17th century, just about all Protestant churches rejected them. The Anglican Church kept them, as they do other Catholic traditions – but this church seems to be more of a blend of Calvinism and Catholicism, than pure Protestantism -– (a lot could be said about distinguishing Anglicanism, according to its historical origin under Henry the VIII, who wanted actually to be Catholic but also a divorce, and who found combining Catholic rituals which enhance the concept of monarchy with Sola Scripture very convenient -- but yes, I know there are various ways of explaining how the outcome was very good anyway).
Keep in mind, although the Protestants during the Reformation endorsed the concept of Sola Scriptura, it was still difficult to give up a number things, which had been practiced throughout Europe for more than a thousand years and upheld as being part of the foundation of the church. Thus, initially some Protestants, such as Calvinists, put people to death for their religious beliefs, and used Deuteronomy 13 for support, but as debate continued, eventually the theory of denominationalism was developed, with freedom of conscience, assembly, speech, and press – advocated by people and groups such as the independents, dissenters, free willers, the rump Parliament, Quakers, Baptists, Oliver Cromwell, John Milton, Roger Williams..... and many more. Advocating freedom of conscience found its support at first in the NT passages on excommunication.
Two popular books often referenced now on how Protestants establish the canon are, The Canon of Scripture by F. F. Bruce, and A General Introduction to the Bible, Part Two, by Norman L. Geisler and William E. Nix. If you go to my web site, I have a link to an article on the subject that attempts to set out the essence of how the canon is established in a very short and understandable format – at least I hope so.
Once again you ask a question that relates to principles of canonicity. These so called lost books are not in the Bible because they do not meet the test of canonicity. The Reformation came about for many reasons, but one of them was an interest in Hebrew and Greek manuscripts and a noting of how they were not actually consistent with the Latin Vulgate. Then, an interest grew in just what is the Bible, and Protestants started comparing Catholic tradition on the canon to principles actually found in Scripture.
In debates with Catholics on his theology, in what was essentially a trail, Luther questioned the canonicity of the Apocrapha. This led to a debate on whether these books should be in the Bible, and by the mid 17th century, just about all Protestant churches rejected them. The Anglican Church kept them, as they do other Catholic traditions – but this church seems to be more of a blend of Calvinism and Catholicism, than pure Protestantism -– (a lot could be said about distinguishing Anglicanism, according to its historical origin under Henry the VIII, who wanted actually to be Catholic but also a divorce, and who found combining Catholic rituals which enhance the concept of monarchy with Sola Scripture very convenient -- but yes, I know there are various ways of explaining how the outcome was very good anyway).
Keep in mind, although the Protestants during the Reformation endorsed the concept of Sola Scriptura, it was still difficult to give up a number things, which had been practiced throughout Europe for more than a thousand years and upheld as being part of the foundation of the church. Thus, initially some Protestants, such as Calvinists, put people to death for their religious beliefs, and used Deuteronomy 13 for support, but as debate continued, eventually the theory of denominationalism was developed, with freedom of conscience, assembly, speech, and press – advocated by people and groups such as the independents, dissenters, free willers, the rump Parliament, Quakers, Baptists, Oliver Cromwell, John Milton, Roger Williams..... and many more. Advocating freedom of conscience found its support at first in the NT passages on excommunication.
Two popular books often referenced now on how Protestants establish the canon are, The Canon of Scripture by F. F. Bruce, and A General Introduction to the Bible, Part Two, by Norman L. Geisler and William E. Nix. If you go to my web site, I have a link to an article on the subject that attempts to set out the essence of how the canon is established in a very short and understandable format – at least I hope so.
Sorry if it was taken as such.
