Why Was Tobit Removed From The Bible

The Book of Tobit, a narrative rich with moral lessons and miraculous interventions, is a fascinating piece of religious literature. However, it's also a book that's absent from the Protestant Bible canon, leading many to wonder: why was Tobit removed from the Bible? The answer lies in a complex interplay of historical, theological, and linguistic factors, rooted in differing views on canonicity, the use of the Septuagint, and specific theological disagreements. This article will delve into these reasons, exploring the nuanced arguments behind Tobit's inclusion in some Bibles and its exclusion from others.

Understanding the Canon

Before addressing the specific reasons for Tobit's exclusion, it's crucial to understand the concept of the biblical canon. The canon refers to the collection of books considered to be divinely inspired and authoritative within a particular religious tradition. The process of canonization wasn't a single event but rather a gradual development, with different religious groups arriving at different conclusions regarding which books should be included.

• Hebrew Bible (Tanakh): This is the canon recognized by Judaism, consisting of the Law (Torah), the Prophets (Nevi'im), and the Writings (Ketuvim).
• Protestant Old Testament: This canon generally mirrors the Hebrew Bible.
• Catholic Old Testament: This canon includes the books found in the Hebrew Bible, along with additional texts known as the Deuterocanonical books.
• Eastern Orthodox Old Testament: This canon largely overlaps with the Catholic Old Testament but may also include additional books.

The key point here is that the "Bible" isn't a single, universally agreed-upon collection of books. Different Christian denominations have different canons. The Book of Tobit falls into the category of Deuterocanonical books, meaning it's included in the Catholic and Eastern Orthodox Old Testaments but excluded from the Protestant Old Testament.

The Deuterocanonical Books: A Point of Contention

The term Deuterocanonical itself reveals the contested nature of these books. The word means "belonging to the second canon." These books were included in the Septuagint (the Greek translation of the Hebrew Bible) but weren't universally accepted within Judaism in the early centuries CE. This ambiguous status contributed to later debates about their canonicity within Christianity.

What are the Deuterocanonical Books?

The Deuterocanonical books include:

• Tobit
• Judith
• 1 and 2 Maccabees
• Wisdom
• Sirach (Ecclesiasticus)
• Baruch
• Additions to Daniel (e.g., the Prayer of Azariah, Susanna, Bel and the Dragon)
• Additions to Esther

These books offer a rich tapestry of historical narratives, moral teachings, and theological reflections. However, their contested status led to their eventual exclusion from the Protestant Bible.

Reasons for Tobit's Exclusion from the Protestant Bible

Several factors contributed to the Protestant Reformation's decision to exclude the Deuterocanonical books, including Tobit, from their Old Testament canon.

1. Questionable Hebrew Origins

One of the primary reasons for rejecting Tobit was the belief that it lacked a Hebrew original. The Reformers, deeply committed to the principle of Sola Scriptura ("Scripture alone"), emphasized the importance of the Hebrew Bible as the ultimate source of authority for the Old Testament.

• The Reformers' Stance: Reformers like Martin Luther argued that only books originally written in Hebrew should be considered part of the Old Testament canon. Since the original Hebrew version of Tobit was not definitively found, it was regarded as less authoritative.
• The Septuagint: The Deuterocanonical books were primarily found in the Septuagint, which was used by Greek-speaking Jews in the centuries before Christ. While the Septuagint was influential, the Reformers prioritized the Hebrew text.
• Modern Discoveries: Ironically, fragments of Tobit in both Hebrew and Aramaic have been discovered among the Dead Sea Scrolls, suggesting that the book did indeed have Semitic origins. However, these discoveries came long after the Reformation.

2. Doctrinal Disagreements

Certain theological elements within Tobit clashed with the Reformers' understanding of Christian doctrine.

• Salvation by Faith Alone (Sola Fide): A central tenet of the Reformation was the doctrine of Sola Fide, which asserts that salvation is received through faith in Jesus Christ alone, not through good works or other means. Some interpreted passages in Tobit as suggesting that almsgiving and other good deeds could contribute to salvation, which contradicted Sola Fide. Tobit 4:10 states, "For almsgiving delivers from death and keeps you from going into the darkness." This verse, in particular, was seen as problematic.
• The Intercession of Angels: Tobit features significant angelic intervention, particularly through the angel Raphael. While not denying the existence of angels, the Reformers were wary of practices that seemed to elevate angels to a position of mediators between God and humanity, potentially detracting from the unique mediatorial role of Christ.
• Prayers for the Dead: Although not explicitly stated, the narrative in Tobit can be interpreted to suggest prayers for the dead, which contradicts Protestant theology.

3. Historical and Geographical Inaccuracies

The Reformers also raised concerns about the historical and geographical accuracy of Tobit.

• Anachronisms: Critics pointed to perceived anachronisms (events or details that are chronologically out of place) within the book as evidence of its later, less reliable composition.
• Geographical Implausibilities: Some argued that the geographical details in Tobit were inconsistent or inaccurate, further undermining its credibility as a historical account.

4. The Influence of Jerome

Jerome, the 4th-century scholar who translated the Bible into Latin (the Vulgate), held a somewhat ambivalent view of the Deuterocanonical books.

• Jerome's Prefaces: In his prefaces to the Vulgate, Jerome distinguished between the books he translated directly from the Hebrew (which he considered to be of primary authority) and those he translated from the Greek (including the Deuterocanonical books). He often expressed reservations about the latter, referring to them as "ecclesiastical books" that could be read for edification but not used to establish doctrine.
• Ambiguous Legacy: While Jerome included the Deuterocanonical books in the Vulgate, his qualifications regarding their authority contributed to later doubts about their canonicity, particularly among the Reformers who respected Jerome's scholarship but ultimately disagreed with his inclusion of these books in the canonical bible.

5. Defining the Canon

The Reformation spurred a renewed interest in defining the biblical canon.

• Return to the Sources (Ad Fontes): The Reformers emphasized a return to the original sources of Scripture (ad fontes in Latin). This meant prioritizing the Hebrew text of the Old Testament and the Greek text of the New Testament.
• Local Church Authority: The Reformers believed in the authority of the local church and individual conscience in interpreting Scripture. This contrasts with the Catholic Church's more centralized authority in defining the canon. As the local churches and individual believers studied the scriptures, there were some disagrements on the canonicity of specific books.

Theological Significance of Tobit

Despite its exclusion from the Protestant canon, the Book of Tobit holds theological significance and offers valuable insights into Jewish piety and morality during the Second Temple period (roughly 515 BCE to 70 CE).

Key Themes in Tobit

• Piety and Righteousness: Tobit emphasizes the importance of personal piety, adherence to the Law, and acts of righteousness, such as almsgiving and burying the dead.
• Divine Providence: The book illustrates God's providential care for those who are faithful to Him, even in the midst of suffering and adversity.
• Prayer: Prayer is a central theme in Tobit, with both Tobit and Sarah praying to God for deliverance from their afflictions.
• Angelic Intervention: The angel Raphael plays a crucial role in the narrative, guiding Tobit's son Tobias, healing Tobit's blindness, and delivering Sarah from the demon Asmodeus.
• Family Loyalty: The book highlights the importance of family loyalty, particularly between Tobit and his son Tobias.

Moral and Ethical Teachings

Tobit provides practical moral and ethical guidance for daily living.

• Almsgiving: As mentioned earlier, almsgiving is presented as a powerful means of expressing compassion and seeking God's favor.
• Respect for Parents: The book emphasizes the importance of honoring and caring for one's parents, especially in their old age.
• Marital Fidelity: Tobit and Sarah are presented as models of marital fidelity and devotion.
• Honesty and Integrity: The book promotes honesty, integrity, and trustworthiness in all dealings.

Modern Perspectives on Tobit

In contemporary biblical scholarship, there's a growing appreciation for the Book of Tobit and its contributions to our understanding of Jewish life and thought in the Second Temple period.

Reassessing Historical Accuracy

While earlier critics questioned the historical accuracy of Tobit, some modern scholars argue that the book may reflect historical realities and cultural practices of its time.

• Cultural Context: Understanding the cultural context of Tobit helps to explain some of the perceived anachronisms and geographical inaccuracies.
• Literary Genre: Recognizing Tobit as a work of didactic fiction (a story designed to teach moral lessons) rather than a strictly historical account allows for a more nuanced interpretation.

Theological Value

Even those who don't consider Tobit to be canonical recognize its theological value.

• Insights into Jewish Piety: Tobit offers valuable insights into the piety, beliefs, and practices of Jews in the Second Temple period.
• Moral Guidance: The book's moral and ethical teachings remain relevant for readers today.
• Interfaith Dialogue: Tobit can serve as a basis for interfaith dialogue between Christians and Jews, fostering a deeper understanding of shared religious traditions.

Conclusion

The exclusion of Tobit from the Protestant Bible is a result of complex historical, theological, and linguistic factors. The Reformers' emphasis on the Hebrew Bible, their doctrinal disagreements with certain passages, concerns about historical accuracy, and the influence of Jerome's ambiguous views all contributed to their decision to reject Tobit and other Deuterocanonical books from their Old Testament canon. However, despite its non-canonical status in Protestantism, the Book of Tobit remains a valuable piece of religious literature, offering insights into Jewish piety, morality, and the enduring power of faith in the face of adversity. Its rich narrative and moral lessons continue to inspire and challenge readers, regardless of their denominational affiliation.