Changes

==Apocryphal texts by denomination==

==Apocryphal texts by denomination==

=== Jewish apocrypha ===

=== Jewish apocrypha ===

Although traditional rabbinical Judaism insists on the exclusive canonization of the current 24 books in the [[Tanakh]], it also claims to have an oral law handed down from [[Moses]]. The Sadducees,[[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Biblical_canon#_note-9]] - unlike the Pharisees but like the Samaritans - seem to have maintained an earlier and smaller number of texts as canonical, preferring to hold to only what was written in the Law of Moses[http://jewishencyclopedia.com/view.jsp?artid=40&letter=S&search=Sadducees] (making most of the presently accepted canon, both Jewish and Christian, ''apocryphal'' in their eyes). Certain circles in Judaism, such as the [[Essene]]s in Judea and the [[Therapeutae]] in Egypt, were said to have a secret literature (see [[Dead Sea scrolls]]). Other traditions maintained different customs regarding canonicity[http://www.columbia.edu/cu/augustine/arch/sbrandt/canon.htm]. The Ethiopic Jews, for instance, seem to have retained a spread of canonical texts similiar to the Ethiopian Orthodox Christians[http://gbgm-umc.org/UMW/BIBLE/ethold.stm], cf Encyclopedia Judaica, Vol 6, p 1147. A large part of this literature consisted of the apocalypses. Based on prophecies, these apocalyptic books were not considered scripture by all, but rather part of a literary form that flourished from 200 BC to 100 AD.{{Fact|date=February 2007}}

Although traditional rabbinical Judaism insists on the exclusive canonization of the current 24 books in the [[Tanakh]], it also claims to have an oral law handed down from [[Moses]]. The Sadducees,[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Biblical_canon#_note-9] - unlike the Pharisees but like the Samaritans - seem to have maintained an earlier and smaller number of texts as canonical, preferring to hold to only what was written in the Law of Moses [http://jewishencyclopedia.com/view.jsp?artid=40&letter=S&search=Sadducees] (making most of the presently accepted canon, both Jewish and Christian, ''apocryphal'' in their eyes). Certain circles in Judaism, such as the [[Essene]]s in Judea and the [[Therapeutae]] in Egypt, were said to have a secret literature (see [[Dead Sea scrolls]]). Other traditions maintained different customs regarding canonicity[http://www.columbia.edu/cu/augustine/arch/sbrandt/canon.htm]. The Ethiopic Jews, for instance, seem to have retained a spread of canonical texts similiar to the Ethiopian Orthodox Christians[http://gbgm-umc.org/UMW/BIBLE/ethold.stm], cf Encyclopedia Judaica, Vol 6, p 1147. A large part of this literature consisted of the apocalypses. Based on prophecies, these apocalyptic books were not considered scripture by all, but rather part of a literary form that flourished from 200 BC to 100 AD.

=== Biblical books called apocrypha ===

=== Biblical books called apocrypha ===