Many early Christian patristic writers, operating in the second, third, and fourth centuries CE, frequently cited Deuterocanonical books—such as Wisdom of Solomon, Sirach, Tobit, and the Maccabees—authoritatively and as scripture. These writings were often used to support doctrinal teachings, moral exhortations, and theological arguments, sometimes on par with the Hebrew Scriptures (or the Greek Septuagint) and New Testament writings. While the status of the Deuterocanonical books was debated in some regions, the broad acceptance of these texts within early Christianity, particularly in the Greek- and Latin-speaking churches, significantly influenced their inclusion in many Christian biblical canons