Ethiopian Orthadox Tawehedo Church larger Bible?

Tornero

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Hi,

I was just wonder if anyone had any information on why the Ethiopian Orthodox Church has more books in their bibles than any other denomination?

These are the books that I found that were not in the Protestant Bible or the Catholic Bible.

Old Testament:
Jublee
Enoch
Ezra II
Ezra Sutuel
Tobit
Judith
Maccabees I
Maccabees II
Maccabees III
Tegsats
Metsihafe Tibeb
Son of Sirac
Josephas the Son of Bengorion.

New Testament:
James
Sirate Tsion
Tizaz
Gitsew
Abtilis
I Dominos
II Dominos
Clement
Didascalia

I understand that the Book of Enoch was an ancient Jewish text that was brought to Ethiopia by Jews. As they recently found fragments of it in the Qurman (sp?) Caves, which has been preserved by Ethiopian Jews.

I also know that before the Bible, there was no defined "jewish texts" or Canon for the Jews.

But does anyone know what these books are, or if they would be worth investigating and reading? I am especially interested in the New Testament books. Is there any Ethiopian Orthodox members on this site that can give me some indication on what on earth these books are?

Thanks
;)

PS: Sorry if this is the wrong place to ask!
 

juleamager

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I have no clue why they have more books, but they aren't in communion with us Eastern Orthodox Christians. They are Oriental Orthodox, very close friends, but still not Eastern Orthodox.
 
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Boris89

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Nothing besides the Eastern Orthodox Bible and the writings of the Church Fathers(the ones recognised by the Eastern Orthodox Church) is worth reading regarding to understanding God and following His word. So we must stay away from any books that are not allowed by the Church. Do not play with your salvation.
 
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prodromos

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Hi,

I was just wonder if anyone had any information on why the Ethiopian Orthodox Church has more books in their bibles than any other denomination?

These are the books that I found that were not in the Protestant Bible or the Catholic Bible.

Old Testament:
Jublee
Enoch
Ezra II
Ezra Sutuel
Tobit
Judith
Maccabees I
Maccabees II
Maccabees III
Tegsats
Metsihafe Tibeb
Son of Sirac
Josephas the Son of Bengorion.

New Testament:
James
Sirate Tsion
Tizaz
Gitsew
Abtilis
I Dominos
II Dominos
Clement
Didascalia

I understand that the Book of Enoch was an ancient Jewish text that was brought to Ethiopia by Jews. As they recently found fragments of it in the Qurman (sp?) Caves, which has been preserved by Ethiopian Jews.

I also know that before the Bible, there was no defined "jewish texts" or Canon for the Jews.

But does anyone know what these books are, or if they would be worth investigating and reading? I am especially interested in the New Testament books. Is there any Ethiopian Orthodox members on this site that can give me some indication on what on earth these books are?

Thanks
;)

PS: Sorry if this is the wrong place to ask!
Both Clement and Didascalia (Didache) are both highly regarded and were included in at least one New Testament canon before the Church made its final ruling on the matter, as was another called The Shepherd of Hermas
 
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truthseeker32

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Nothing besides the Eastern Orthodox Bible and the writings of the Church Fathers(the ones recognised by the Eastern Orthodox Church) is worth reading regarding to understanding God and following His word. So we must stay away from any books that are not allowed by the Church. Do not play with your salvation.
Seriously? So no Chesterton, no C.S. Lewis, or Dostoyevsky? I think the category "books allowed by the Church" extends far beyond the Eastern Orthodox bible and Church Fathers.
 
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Kristos

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Seriously? So no Chesterton, no C.S. Lewis, or Dostoyevsky? I think the category "books allowed by the Church" extends far beyond the Eastern Orthodox bible and Church Fathers.

Chesterton? Is Outrage!!! Only "The Brothers Karamazov" is allowed.
 
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buzuxi02

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Both Clement and Didascalia (Didache) are both highly regarded and were included in at least one New Testament canon before the Church made its final ruling on the matter, as was another called The Shepherd of Hermas





Prodromos your right. In actuality the Church has recognized those books as scripture by codifying Athanasius festal epistle (39th epistle) into the canons passed at the Quinisext council.
 
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buzuxi02

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I have read some of these books and discovered that are worth reading; they have always been considered scripture by some. Some are even mentioned or quoted in books of the canon.


This is the actual word used in greek (worthy to be read) to describe the deuterocanonical books, and pretty much the same phrase used by St Athanasius in his epistle to describe the second tier of books.
 
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ArmyMatt

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Apparently no Metropolitan Kallistos Ware, no Father Thomas Hopko, no Father Alexander Schmemann, no Father Seraphim Rose, and no Vladimir Lossky either, to name just a few. Well he did say only the Bible and the Church Fathers! I guess we should only be reading what 15th century Russian and Bulgarian peasants read... Oh wait, most peasants in the 15th century couldn't read at all so really we shouldn't be reading any books.

darn, no Way of the Pilgrim either, no Dead Sea Scrolls, no JRR Tolkien. bugger, I guess I better remake me library.

just kidding
 
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Gxg (G²)

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Hi,

I was just wonder if anyone had any information on why the Ethiopian Orthodox Church has more books in their bibles than any other denomination?

These are the books that I found that were not in the Protestant Bible or the Catholic Bible.

Old Testament:
Jublee
Enoch
Ezra II
Ezra Sutuel
Tobit
Judith
Maccabees I
Maccabees II
Maccabees III
Tegsats
Metsihafe Tibeb
Son of Sirac
Josephas the Son of Bengorion.

New Testament:
James
Sirate Tsion
Tizaz
Gitsew
Abtilis
I Dominos
II Dominos
Clement
Didascalia

I understand that the Book of Enoch was an ancient Jewish text that was brought to Ethiopia by Jews. As they recently found fragments of it in the Qurman (sp?) Caves, which has been preserved by Ethiopian Jews.

I also know that before the Bible, there was no defined "jewish texts" or Canon for the Jews.

But does anyone know what these books are, or if they would be worth investigating and reading? I am especially interested in the New Testament books. Is there any Ethiopian Orthodox members on this site that can give me some indication on what on earth these books are?

Thanks
;)

PS: Sorry if this is the wrong place to ask!
Personally, I am thankful for and fascinated that the Book of Enoch was preserved within the Ethiopian Church. Its always odd seeing people trip on it, despite the fact that its already referenced within the Book of Jude---and the early Jewish church had no problem with many of the thoughts held within it when it came to the concept of a Divine Council, the Watchers and many other things. I'm always amazed at how many seem to not be amazed at the beauty of the Ethiopian Orthodox Old Testament...as there's truly so much depth to it that many don't seem able to realize.


The Ethiopian canon is basically the same as the LXX canon plus Jubilees and Enoch and different Maccabees tales (which many scholars see as a later attempt to replace lost scrolls), much like what has been found at the Dead Sea Caves. Commenting on the influence of certain councils regarding the sacredness of the Book of Enoch and the canon, it seems that the the Book of Enoch was extant centuries before the birth of Christ and yet is considered by many to be more Christian in its theology than Jewish. Jude 1:6, Gen 6, 1st Peter 3:19-20, and 2nd Peter 2:4 immediately come to mind, though there are more passages that either directly quote or refer to the Book of Enoch. And its not surprising, seeing that it was considered scripture by many early Christians...as the earliest literature of "Church Fathers" is filled with references to this mysterious book. The early second century "Epistle of Barnabus" makes much use of the Book of Enoch. Second and Third Century "Church Fathers" like Justin Martyr, Irenaeus, Origin and Clement of Alexandria all make use of the Book of Enoch. Tertullian (160-230 C.E) even called the Book of Enoch "Holy Scripture".....so its very odd, IMHO, that the Ethiopic Church even added the Book of Enoch to its official canon whereas other branches of Orthodoxy reject it (to my knowledge). For it was widely known and read the first three centuries after Christ.

One can go here to read it
 
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