A Delightful Conversation with Traci Rhoades on the So-Called Apocrypha

Exploring the Deuterocanonical books with evangelical author and finding common ground

In an episode of the “Bad” Books of the Bible podcast, we had a truly delightful and insightful conversation with Traci Rhoades, a respected Protestant author and engaging Bible student. Known for fostering positive online dialogue among Christians of different traditions, Traci brought a warm and open perspective to the discussion about the Apocrypha—the collection of books included in some Bibles but not others that we love to talk about. My co-host Joel Miller invited Traci to join us for this conversation.

Traci's passion for in-depth Bible study began when she was a young woman, inspired by teaching that showed serious scriptural exploration was accessible to everyone. This sparked a lifelong journey driven by a desire to know God better and an endless fascination with the history and context of the biblical narrative, recognizing its immense depth—especially when considering the books she was told are called “Apocrypha.”

Like many from an evangelical background, Traci initially saw these books simply as “books the Catholics added,” often viewed with suspicion or as “forbidden.” Joel shared a similar experience, where these books in his father's Catholic Bible were intriguing but clearly marked as outside their tradition.

However, Traci's perspective evolved through her roles as a Bible teacher and writer. Encounters with Christians from different traditions and encouragement from her Reformed pastor led her to explore these texts. This curiosity deepened when she organized a summer reading group on Twitter, including a Catholic participant whose insights were invaluable. This experience revealed that the books in question weren't isolated texts but connected deeply with Old Testament history, challenging the notion of “400 years of silence” between the testaments. We agreed that this idea is problematic—this period was dynamic, with God actively working among His people, and these books serving as vital tools to preserve faith and identity against cultural pressures—lessons highly relevant today.

The conversation highlighted specific passages of Traci's favorites. The additions to Esther in the Greek Septuagint, where God is explicitly mentioned, for example, helped show the differences in canonical traditions and the importance of recognizing how other Christians see value in these books. The prayers in the additions to Daniel, like the Song of the Three Young Men, beautifully illustrate the ferocious faith of those in the fiery furnace, providing additional substance to the familiar story and play an important role in Orthodox liturgics.

When we discussed Judith's prayer, and the confession of sins in Baruch, we noted how these texts function as “schools of prayer” and “schools of repentance,” connecting to the core Christian believe that all of a life is to be a life of repentance. We also touched upon the account of martyrdom in 2 Maccabees, a bracing but inspiring example of unwavering faith even unto death.

Traci offered encouragement for evangelicals curious about the so-called Apocrypha, suggesting they start by understanding the historical context and exploring passages related to familiar biblical stories like Esther and Daniel. She emphasized that exploring these books is not about finding scandal but about “learning and growing and finding more of Jesus.”

In a moment of mutual appreciation, Traci shared what she wished Orthodox Christians knew about Protestants: fundamentally, they “love Jesus,” the same Jesus worshiped beautifully in the Orthodox tradition, and this love is tied to a love for Scripture. She spoke of the historical roots of the Reformation, arguably driven by a desire to return to the core of Christian faith.

The interview concluded on a warm note, touching on Traci's diverse interests, including birding, which also connect back to scriptural reflection. Overall, the conversation with Traci Rhoades was a wonderful example of bridge-building and mutual, respectful discovery, demonstrating the richness and spiritual value found within these books, and the joy of exploring a broader Christian heritage together.

Check out the discussion at Ancient Faith Radio, in the embedded video above, or on YouTube below.

Stay tuned for the return of all new episodes of “Bad” Books of the Bible.

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