I’ve realized lately that I’ve never systematically read the deuterocanonical books. You know, 1 Esdras, 2 Esdras, Tobit, Judith, Wisdom of Solomon, Ecclesiasticus, Baruch, the Letter of Jeremiah, Prayer of Manasseh, 1 Maccabees, 2 Maccabees. I’ve read bits and parts, but never read them all.

The early church read them. The general view of the church has been that these books are not inspired, but that they are beneficial for reading. For example, the official position of the Anglican church is that these books should be read for “example of life and instruction of manners, but yet doth not apply them to establish any doctrine.”

So, I’m planning to read them. That’s one of my upcoming projects. I’m considering a few others.

Any thoughts?