Date: Tue, 30 Jul 1996 05:38:16 -0600
To: twc-l@halmarax.demon.co.uk
From: Vashti <vashti@theshop.net>
Subject: Re: Book of Wisdom
At 12:13 AM 7/30/96 +0100, you wrote:
>Vashti wrote:
>
>> >At the risk of sounding stupid, I must ask...what is 'The Book of
>> >Wisdom'?
>>
>> It is an "apocryphal" book of the Bible, (the main book of the christian
>> faith, if you are unaware) that was expurgated by the puritans in the
>> 1600's. Personally, it is one of my favorite books of the bible. It speaks
>> a lot about the use of creation to heal, and the uses of herbs, etc...
>
>Expurgated by the puritans? Does that mean that it was in there
>back in the Catholic days? Do the Catholics still recognize it as
>part of the Bible? Sounds like a great book--which version of the
>Bible still contains it?
The Roman Catholic Church has always recognized and included the Apocryphal
books as canon. I am Episcopailian, and our Church also recognizes all the
apocryphal books, but not for the formation of doctrine, but for
"edification and instruction" The puritans were influential during the
reformation. It is the King James versian (and those based on the King James
Versian) that no longer contain the Apocrypha. The first King James
translation included the apocrypha, but as I said, the witch-hunters kinda
did not like certain books.
The New American Bible, put out by the Catholic Press has it, and it is also
available as a separate edition. I would be glad to send it to you, if you
are unable to find it, or give you the address of an excellent bookseller
that deals in spiritual books. (and others...they can find most any book now
in print)
I also have an antiquarian bookseller, but he does not do mail order.
"For he gave me sound knowledge of existing things, that I might know the
organization of the universe and the force of its elements.
The beginning and the end and the midpoint of times, the changes in the
sun's course and the variations of the seasons.
Cycles of years, positions of the stars, nature of animals, tempers of beasts,
Power of the winds and thoughts of men,
Uses of plants and virtues of roots---
Such things are hidden I learned and such as are plain;
For Wisdom, the artificer of all taught me."
----Book Of Wisdom 7:17-22
peace
vash