What drove a small Jewish family to spark a revolt that changed history forever?
What happens when a ruthless empire tries to erase a people’s faith?
Could a 2,000-year-old rebellion still inspire our spiritual battles today?
In our podcast, “Bad” Books of the Bible, we’re diving a chapter at a time into the Old Testament texts of the Orthodox Church excluded from some Christian traditions—often called Deuterocanonical or Apocrypha—to reveal their historical and spiritual relevance and depth. In today’s post, we focus on our past series on 1 Maccabees—a powerful narrative of Jewish resistance against oppression that speaks to not only Orthodox believers, but all who value faith and freedom.
Whether you’re Orthodox, from another Christian tradition, or simply curious, 1 Maccabees offers much for the Christian believer to learn. Let’s discover why this “bad” book should be viewed as a cornerstone of Scriptural understanding.
What Is a Deuterocanonical Book?
The Bible is a collection of books, and for some Christian traditions, this includes more books than other Bibles. In Orthodoxy, these books are considered inspired, while some Christian denominations may label them Apocrypha or exclude them altogether. Through “Bad” Books of the Bible, we’re showing these texts are far from “bad”—they’re rich with history, courage, and speak to our lives today.
What Is 1 Maccabees?
Written around the 2nd century BC by an anonymous author well versed in the local history, 1 Maccabees chronicles the Jewish revolt against the Seleucid Empire (167–160 BC). It begins with Alexander the Great’s conquests, which reshaped the ancient world, splitting his empire among successors Ptolemy (Egypt) and Seleucus (Babylonia). After Alexander’s death in 323 BC, Judea faced Hellenistic rule, culminating in the tyrannical reign of Antiochus IV Epiphanes, dubbed a “sinful root.”
His desecration of the Jerusalem Temple sparked the Maccabean revolt, led by Mattathias and his son Judas Maccabeus, whose victories restored the Temple—celebrated today as Hanukkah. This straightforward—yet unapologetically partisan—narrative was later used by historians like Josephus, and blends authentic history, with faithful resistance to tyranny and fidelity to God.
For Orthodox Christians, 1 Maccabees is not only canonical, it is part of the Septuagint, the Greek translation of the Old Testament used by early Christians and upheld by the Orthodox to this day. For non-Orthodox readers, it may appear in a separate section labeled as “The Apocrypha” or be absent altogether, but its story of standing firm resonates with many, and sets the stage for the New Testament.
Why 1 Maccabees Matters in Orthodoxy
In the Orthodox Church, 1 Maccabees is a testament to God’s faithfulness and the power of resolute faith. Their story is a tale for those of us who struggle to be faithful in a faithless world:
Zeal for Worship: The Maccabees’ fight to preserve their faith against Hellenistic assimilation reflects the Orthodox commitment to right glory, or true worship.
Divine Providence: Their victories stem from a commitment to uphold God’s righteous rule in an unfaithful world, a theme echoed in Orthodox prayers and hymns.
Sacred Space: The Temple’s rededication—which led to the annual observance of Hanukkah—informs the Orthodox reverence for holy spaces, and helps us to better understand the New Testament.
Putting Texts into Context: Without it, readers are left confused why the New Testament opens up with God’s people suffering under a Herod and a Caesar.
Martyrdom and Courage: The Jews’ resolve to die rather than defile their covenant (1 Macc 1:62–63) serves as an example for Orthodox Christians facing modern challenges.
For all readers, the “double crisis” of cultural assimilation and Antiochus’ despotism—culminating in the “abomination of desolation” (dedicating the altar to Zeus in the Jewish Temple, c. 167 BC)—mirrors every era’s struggle to maintain faith amid pressure.
1 Maccabees Across Christian Traditions
Views on 1 Maccabees differ. Orthodox Christians embrace it as Scripture via the Septuagint. Catholics include it, with minor textual variations. Anglicans value it for historical insight, while many evangelicals deem it non-scriptural. Regardless of its canonical status, 1 Maccabees is a thrilling saga of battles, faith, and triumph over tyranny, relevant to anyone navigating cultural pressures.
Join the Journey
Have you read 1 Maccabees yet? What do you think of its story of defiance and faith? Share your thoughts in the comments and connect with others intrigued by these texts. Listen to the episode archive on Ancient Faith, and share it with friends curious about the Bible’s hidden gems.
Ready to study 1 Maccabees yourself? Here’s your definitive “Bad” Books guide to the book:
New Series “Righteous Revolt”: 1 Maccabees (Introduction) - AFR | YouTube
Righteous Revolt: Theron Mathis Interview - Blog | AFR | YouTube
Righteous Revolt: Nearly Final Thoughts - Blog | AFR | YouTube
Righteous Revolt: Fr. Stephen De Young Interview (Part 1) - AFR | YouTube
Righteous Revolt: Fr. Stephen De Young Interview (Part 2) - AFR | YouTube
Thank you so much for these footnotes! 📝📚