Protestant Bible: Why 66 Books? The Complete History from Luther to Today

Belem Anderson Costa — Sat, 11 Jan 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Introduction

“Protestantism” is the name given to a set of Christian movements that arose in Europe from the 16th century onward, linked to the Reformation. A frequently cited symbolic milestone is October 31, 1517, associated with Martin Luther and the text known as the “95 Theses,” in Wittenberg. (Encyclopedia Britannica)

In this context, one of the recurring topics was the Old Testament “canon”: which books are Scripture. Over time, the majority of Protestantism popularized the Bible in a format of 66 books (39 in the OT + 27 in the NT). This article explains what this means and how this standard was consolidated.

What is Protestantism

Protestantism is an “umbrella” term for various Christian traditions that separated, in different ways, from the authority and structures of the Roman Catholic Church during the Reformation period and after. The initial historical impulse is linked to controversies over indulgences and ecclesiastical authority, with Luther as the central figure in 1517. (Encyclopedia Britannica)

Over time, diverse Protestant families emerged (Lutheran, Reformed/Calvinist, Anglican, Baptist, Methodist, Pentecostal, etc.), with differences among them, but with a common trait: the emphasis on Scriptures as normative authority and the revision of practices and doctrines in light of that principle.

What “66-book Bible” means

“66-book Bible” is the most common editorial and canonical standard in Protestant Bibles:

Old Testament with 39 books (equivalent to the Hebrew/Jewish canon in terms of content, although the organization/order may vary).
New Testament with 27 books.

This standard contrasts with Catholic and Orthodox Bibles, which include additional books in the Old Testament (often called “deuterocanonical” in Catholicism; “apocrypha” in many Protestant contexts).

How this standard began and was consolidated

1. Reformation and dispute of authority (16th century)

The Reformation period opens (or reignites) disputes about criteria of canonicity in the Old Testament. The debate was not merely theoretical: it was reflected in translations, prefaces, and in the way the Bible was printed. The most cited historical milestone of the beginning of the Reformation cycle is 1517 (Luther). (Encyclopedia Britannica)

2. Protestant confessions and declarations on the “Apocrypha”

In Reformed Protestantism, a reference text is the Westminster Confession of Faith (17th century), which explicitly declares that the books “commonly called Apocrypha” are not of divine inspiration and therefore are not part of the canon of Scripture (and have no ecclesiastical authority). (FPCNA)

This type of formulation helped establish, in many groups, the practice of a Bible without these books as “standard.”

3. Protestant biblical editions that still printed the Apocrypha

Even in the Protestant environment, there was a long editorial coexistence with the “Apocrypha” printed in a separate section. A classic example is the King James Bible of 1611, which historically circulated with an “Apocrypha” section between the Old and New Testaments, indicating a distinction of status. (Wikipedia)

4. Editorial consolidation: omission in many modern editions

Beyond the theological decision (canonicity), there was an editorial factor: standardization, cost, and Bible society policies influenced the omission of the Apocrypha in many popular editions, reinforcing the “66 format.” A frequently cited account is the decision (19th century) not to finance printing of apocryphal sections in certain contexts, accelerating the practice of excluding these books from common editions. (Wikipedia)

Historical counterpoint: how the Catholic canon was formalized

On the Catholic side, the Council of Trent (4th session, April 8, 1546) published a decree listing the received books, including the deuterocanonical at the same level of canonicity, as a response to the controversy. (Papal Encyclicals Online)

Why some call them “removed,” and others say “never canonical”

The conflict in language comes from two simultaneous facts:

Many ancient Bibles (including Protestant ones) did print these books, generally in a separate section. (Wikipedia)
Many Protestant confessions treated them as non-canonical (therefore, for these groups, there was no “removal from the canon,” but rather an editorial change/consistency to reflect the adopted canon). (FPCNA)

Quick list: which books are part of this discussion

Among those most commonly cited as “deuterocanonical/OT apocrypha”: Wisdom (Wisdom of Solomon), Ecclesiasticus (Sirach), Tobit, Judith, Baruch, 1-2 Maccabees, and additions to Esther and Daniel. The complete list varies by tradition and edition. (Wikipedia)

FAQ

Do Protestants believe the deuterocanonical books are “false”?

In many classical Protestant branches, they are not considered inspired/canonical; they may be seen as historically or devotionally useful, but not as a doctrinal basis (varies by denomination). (FPCNA)

Has the Protestant Bible always had 66 books?

Not as a single editorial standard from the beginning. There were Protestant editions that printed the Apocrypha in a separate section; later, many modern editions omitted them. (Wikipedia)

What is the date of the “beginning” of Protestantism?

Commonly October 31, 1517, is used as a symbolic milestone, linked to Luther’s “95 Theses” in Wittenberg. (Encyclopedia Britannica)

Suggestions for research sources

Use these terms in academic search engines and digital collections (Google Scholar, Internet Archive, national libraries and universities):

“Westminster Confession of Faith Chapter I Of the Holy Scripture Apocrypha” (Puritan Reformed Theological Seminary)
“Council of Trent Fourth Session De Canonicis Scripturis 8 April 1546” (Papal Encyclicals Online)
“King James Bible 1611 Apocrypha intertestamental section” (Wikipedia)
“Ninety-Five Theses 1517 Wittenberg primary sources” (The Library of Congress)

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