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Father Mike's Bible Claim FALLS APART | Live Free with Josh Howerton

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May 6, 2026

Guest

Paul Cunningham

Paul Cunningham, pastor and biblical scholar, gives a concise historical and theological rebuttal to claims for the Apocrypha. He traces early church lists, Jerome’s stance, Dead Sea Scrolls evidence, and what Jesus quoted as Scripture. Multiple short, focused segments unpack why the Hebrew canon matters and how that shapes Christian conviction.

36:48

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INSIGHT

What The Apocrypha Are

The Apocrypha are seven Old Testament-era books in the Greek Septuagint not found in the Hebrew Bible.
They include Tobit, Judith, Wisdom, Sirach, Baruch, 1–2 Maccabees and additions to Daniel, written in the intertestamental period.

insights

INSIGHT

Why Canon Matters For Belief And Practice

If a book is canonical it is fully inspired and authoritative for belief and practice.
Paul Cunningham argues the dispute matters because Catholics include the Apocrypha as such while Protestants do not, affecting doctrines like purgatory.

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INSIGHT

Earliest Lists Favor The Hebrew Canon

Early canonical lists more closely match the Protestant 66-book Old Testament than the Catholic 73-book set.
Paul Cunningham cites early lists (e.g., Melito, Origen, Athanasius) that align with the Hebrew canon, not the deuterocanonical books.

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Why the Apocrypha Matters for Belief

00:17 • 1min

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What the Apocrypha Is

01:19 • 3min

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Authority vs. Helpful Books

03:51 • 4min

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Two Historical Schools on Canon

08:01 • 1min

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Early Lists Favor the Hebrew Canon

09:06 • 7min

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Luther, Jerome, and Canon Development

16:02 • 4min

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Did Luther Remove Books Over Theology?

19:40 • 5min

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Was There a Jewish Canon in Jesus' Day?

24:11 • 2min

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Second Temple Groups and the Apocrypha

26:35 • 3min

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How Jesus Used Scripture

29:40 • 4min

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Councils, Authority, and Trent

33:10 • 2min

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Final Appeal to Jesus' Example

Against Apion, written by the first-century Jewish historian Flavius Josephus, is a defense of Judaism against the accusations of Apion, an Alexandrian Greek writer. Josephus refutes Apion's claims about Jewish history and customs, providing valuable insights into Jewish life and beliefs. The work also includes a list of the books considered canonical in the Jewish scriptures. It is a significant historical document for understanding the development of the Jewish canon and the relationship between Judaism and Hellenistic culture. It is a key source for studying the history of the Old Testament canon.

#5134

• Mentioned in 10 episodes

THE WISDOM OF SOLOMON

C. G. Montefiore

#1466

• Mentioned in 30 episodes

Sirach

Jesus Ben Sirach

The Book of Sirach, also known as Ecclesiasticus, is a collection of wisdom literature found in the deuterocanonical books of the Catholic Bible. It offers reflections on various aspects of life, including morality, ethics, and the relationship between God and humanity. The book emphasizes the importance of wisdom, virtue, and righteous living. It explores the challenges of understanding God's justice in the face of suffering and injustice. Sirach's wisdom is practical, offering guidance on family life, social interactions, and personal conduct.

#3597

• Mentioned in 14 episodes

Latin Translation of the Bible

St. Jerome

The Vulgate is a Latin translation of the Bible, completed by St. Jerome around 405 AD. It became the standard Bible text for the Roman Catholic Church and remained so until the 20th century. Jerome translated the Old Testament from the Hebrew original and the New Testament from Greek manuscripts, incorporating some existing Latin translations.

#902

• Mentioned in 43 episodes

1 Maccabees

John R. Bartlett

This book provides an in-depth analysis of 1 Maccabees, a key text in the Apocrypha. John R. Bartlett examines the historical and cultural background of the Maccabean period, the political and religious developments, and the literary structure of the text. The guide is designed for scholars and students interested in understanding the significance of 1 Maccabees within the broader context of Jewish history and biblical studies.

#2498

• Mentioned in 19 episodes

The Didache

Kirsopp Lake

CrossReach Publications

The Didache, or "Teaching of the Twelve Apostles," is an early Christian text offering instructions on Christian life and practice. It's believed to have been written in the 1st or 2nd century AD. The Didache provides guidance on baptism, Eucharist, and moral conduct. It emphasizes ethical behavior, including instructions on fasting and prayer. Its significance lies in its glimpse into the early church's practices and beliefs.

#1343

• Mentioned in 32 episodes

The Weight of Glory

C.S. Lewis

#5822

• Mentioned in 9 episodes

Baruch

My Own Story

Bernard M. Baruch

This memoir by Bernard M. Baruch recounts his journey from humble beginnings in South Carolina to becoming a prominent figure on Wall Street and a respected public servant. It covers his early life, his rise in finance, and his involvement in national and international affairs. The book offers insights into his philosophy on life, finance, and public service.

#902

• Mentioned in 43 episodes

1 Maccabees

John R. Bartlett

#3400

• Mentioned in 15 episodes

Tobit

Ștefan Agopian

#4010

• Mentioned in 13 episodes

The Confessions of St. Augustine

Augustine of Hippo

Confessions, by St. Augustine, is a deeply personal and introspective autobiography that traces Augustine's spiritual journey from a life of sin and worldly pursuits to his conversion to Christianity. The work explores themes of faith, doubt, love, and the search for God. Augustine's honest and vulnerable portrayal of his own struggles makes the book relatable and inspiring. The Confessions is considered a seminal work of Christian literature, influencing countless theologians and writers. Its enduring appeal lies in its exploration of universal human experiences and its profound insights into the nature of faith and the human condition.

Who decided which books are in your Bible?

Pastor Paul Cunningham responds to Father Mike Schmitz's case for the Apocrypha, walking through the historical record, early church fathers, and the canon that Jesus himself recognized and quoted. This isn't an attack, it's a careful, evidence-based conversation about one of the most consequential questions in all of Christianity: which books are truly the Word of God?

From Jerome's own doubts about the books he translated, to what the Dead Sea Scrolls actually reveal, to the stunning detail hidden in Matthew 23, this episode gives you the biblical and historical confidence to know why the 66 books of the Protestant Bible are simply THE Bible.

In this episode, you'll learn:

What the Apocrypha is and why Catholics and Protestants have different Bibles
Why the earliest Christians (centuries before Martin Luther) debated the Apocrypha
What Jesus actually quoted as Scripture and why it matters enormously
Why even Jerome, the man who translated the Catholic Bible, rejected the Apocrypha as authoritative
How to have gracious, informed conversations with Catholic friends about the canon

Stand firm. Think biblically. Live free.

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