The Hebrew Bible is not canonized Scripture

Disclaimer: This is not an article or a formal position paper. It is merely a blog post to informally share my position on this subject.

Many years ago, I belonged to a church that I loved dearly. But what destroyed that church were the following two effects.

1. The pastor and a majority of the congregation embraced egalitarianism, and they began to practice it.
2. The same pastor embraced and began indoctrinating the church with a “Hebrew Bible.” 

What is the “Hebrew Bible” (as they call it)? 

The Hebrew Bible is not the Christian Bible. Nor is the Hebrew Bible the Bible’s Old Testament translated into Hebrew. The Hebrew Bible is a different book that was not part of the canonized Scriptures. The Hebrew Bible was canonized by Jews autonomously from the 66 books of the Bible.

Perhaps this analogy will make this easier to understand.

Christians will agree that the Roman Catholic Bible is not the same as our Bible. The Roman Catholic Bible contains seven additional books called the apocryphal books, or the Apocrypha. Those seven books are not recognized as canonized Scriptures. In other words, the Hebrew Bible should not be recognized as canonized Scripture, because it isn’t. Similar to the Roman Catholic apocryphal books, the Hebrew Bible has historical value only, but no canonical value.

Only the Protestant Bible and the 66 books within, are inerrant, infallible, immutable, and sufficient. The Apocrypha and Hebrew Bible are with err. Especially how the Hebrew Bible erroneously interprets God’s canonized Scriptures (the Bible).

I have many extra-curricular books in my library. None of them claim to be a “Bible.” But if any contradict or misinterpret the Christian Bible, they must be considered dangerously contra Scriptura. Especially if the book claims the Messiah has not yet come. Or is still waiting for their Messiah. Or does not point to Christ as our Risen Lord and Saviour of the elect.

Let us never forget the following warnings in our Christian Bible.

“Ye shall not add unto the word which I command you, neither shall ye diminish ought from it, that ye may keep the commandments of the Lord your God which I command you.” – Deuteronomy 4:2

“For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book: And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book.” – Revelation 22:18-19

And to the Jews who do not believe in Jesus the Messiah.

“I have not written unto you because ye know not the truth, but because ye know it, and that no lie is of the truth. Who is a liar but he that denieth that Jesus is the Christ? He is antichrist, that denieth the Father and the Son. Whosoever denieth the Son, the same hath not the Father: he that acknowledgeth the Son hath the Father also.” – 1 John 2:21-23

“Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world. Hereby know ye the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God: And every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God: and this is that spirit of antichrist, whereof ye have heard that it should come; and even now already is it in the world.” – 1 John 4:1-3

The one true Bible warns that some books can be unhealthy. And since the “Hebrew Bible” is only a book, it must be viewed with a critical lens.

“And moreover, because the Preacher was wise, he still taught the people knowledge; yes, he pondered and sought out and set in order many proverbs. The Preacher sought to find acceptable words; and what was written was upright—words of truth. The words of the wise are like goads, and the words of scholars are like well-driven nails, given by one Shepherd. And further, my son, be admonished by these. Of making many books there is no end, and much study is wearisome to the flesh. Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God and keep His commandments, for this is man’s all. For God will bring every work into judgment, including every secret thing, whether good or evil.” – Ecclesiastes 12:9-14

Please read the Gospel (aka Good News) below. 

THE GOOD NEWS!