Catholics, like other Christian denominations, rely on the Bible as their primary source of divine revelation and spiritual guidance. However, the Bible used by Catholics is distinct in certain ways from the one used by Protestant Christians. This article explores the Bible used by Catholics, the key differences between Catholic and Protestant Bibles, and the history behind the development of the Catholic Bible.
The Catholic Bible: Overview
The Catholic Bible is the canon of scripture recognized by the Catholic Church. It includes the same New Testament books as the Protestant Bible but differs in the Old Testament. In total, the Catholic Bible contains 73 books, compared to the 66 books found in the Protestant Bible. This difference is primarily due to the inclusion of several books known as the “Deuterocanonical” books.
The Structure of the Catholic Bible
The Catholic Bible is divided into two main sections: the Old Testament and the New Testament.
Old Testament
The Old Testament of the Catholic Bible consists of 46 books. This includes the same books found in the Protestant Old Testament but with additional books and sections. The Deuterocanonical books—seven books and several additional parts of books—are present in the Catholic Old Testament but are not included in the Protestant Bible. These books are:
- Tobit
- Judith
- Wisdom of Solomon
- Sirach (Ecclesiasticus)
- Baruch
- 1 Maccabees
- 2 Maccabees
- Additions to Esther
- Additions to Daniel (The Prayer of Azariah, Susanna, Bel and the Dragon)
These books are part of the Septuagint, a Greek translation of the Hebrew Bible that was widely used by early Christians. The Catholic Church considers these books to be inspired and authoritative, whereas they were later excluded by Protestant reformers during the Reformation.
New Testament
The New Testament of the Catholic Bible consists of 27 books, the same as the Protestant Bible. These books include the Gospels, the Acts of the Apostles, the Pauline and General Epistles, and the Book of Revelation. These writings are central to Christian belief and doctrine, focusing on the life, teachings, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ, as well as the early church’s teachings and growth.
The History of the Catholic Bible
The history of the Catholic Bible is deeply intertwined with the history of Christianity itself. The canonization of the Bible—the process of determining which books were divinely inspired and should be included in the Bible—evolved over centuries, with various councils and church leaders contributing to its final form.
Early Christian Use of Scripture
In the early centuries of Christianity, there was no universally agreed-upon list of books that were considered Scripture. The early Christian church relied on various texts, including letters from apostles and the Gospels, which were copied, circulated, and read in Christian communities. The Septuagint, the Greek translation of the Hebrew Scriptures, was widely used by early Christians and included the Deuterocanonical books. Many early Christians considered these books as part of the sacred canon.
The Council of Hippo and the Canon
The first official list of New Testament books was formulated in the 4th century. In 393 AD, the Council of Hippo in North Africa confirmed a list of 27 books for the New Testament that was largely in line with the canon used today. The council also recognized the Old Testament canon, including the Deuterocanonical books.
The Councils of Carthage (397 AD) and the Council of Trent (1546 AD) reaffirmed this canon, solidifying the Catholic understanding of the Bible. The Council of Trent, in particular, was a response to the Protestant Reformation, during which Reformers like Martin Luther rejected the Deuterocanonical books and removed them from the Protestant Bible.
The Protestant Reformation and the Removal of the Deuterocanonical Books
The Protestant Reformation, which began in the 16th century, had a significant impact on the biblical canon. Reformers like Martin Luther argued that certain books, including the Deuterocanonical books, should not be considered Scripture because they were not part of the Hebrew Bible and were not universally accepted by early Christians. As a result, Protestant Bibles removed these books, leaving them with 39 books in the Old Testament, compared to the Catholic Church’s 46.
In response to these changes, the Catholic Church reaffirmed the inclusion of the Deuterocanonical books at the Council of Trent in 1546. This council declared that the Catholic Bible, with its 73 books, was the official canon of Scripture and that the Deuterocanonical books were inspired and should be included.
Differences Between the Catholic Bible and Protestant Bibles
One of the main differences between Catholic and Protestant Bibles lies in the Old Testament. While Protestant Bibles have 39 books in the Old Testament, the Catholic Bible includes 46. The extra books, known as the Deuterocanonical books, are considered canonical by Catholics but are not included in Protestant Bibles.
The Deuterocanonical Books
The Deuterocanonical books are considered part of the Catholic Bible’s canon, but they are not accepted by Protestants. These books were included in the Septuagint, an early Greek translation of the Hebrew Scriptures, and were widely used in the early Christian church. However, they were not included in the Hebrew Bible, leading to debates about their canonicity.
Catholics believe these books offer important theological and moral teachings, and they view them as divinely inspired. Protestants, on the other hand, believe these books contain valuable historical and moral insights but reject their authority as Scripture.
The Septuagint and the Hebrew Bible
One of the key distinctions between the Catholic and Protestant Bibles lies in the sources used for the Old Testament. The Catholic Church historically relied on the Septuagint, the Greek translation of the Hebrew Scriptures, which included the Deuterocanonical books. Protestants, however, generally base their Old Testament on the Hebrew Masoretic Text, which does not include the Deuterocanonical books.
As a result, Protestant Bibles are shorter than Catholic Bibles, with the removal of these extra books. The Catholic Church views the Septuagint as an important translation used by early Christians, which is why they maintain the inclusion of the Deuterocanonical books.
Catholic Bibles: Popular Translations
There are several popular Catholic Bible translations used by Catholics around the world. Each of these translations is based on the same 73-book canon, though they may differ in language, style, and approach to translation.
The Douay-Rheims Bible
One of the oldest and most well-known Catholic Bible translations is the Douay-Rheims Bible. First published in the 16th century, it was translated from the Latin Vulgate, the Latin translation of the Bible used by the Catholic Church. The Douay-Rheims Bible is primarily used by English-speaking Catholics and is known for its formal and traditional language.
The New American Bible (NAB)
The New American Bible (NAB) is one of the most widely used Catholic Bible translations in the United States. The NAB is a more modern and readable translation that is based on the original Hebrew, Aramaic, and Greek texts. It is commonly used in Catholic Mass readings and is available in a variety of formats, including study Bibles and devotional editions.
The Jerusalem Bible
The Jerusalem Bible is another popular Catholic translation that was originally published in French in 1956. It is known for its literary style and is widely used in English-speaking countries. The Jerusalem Bible also includes detailed footnotes and commentary, making it a valuable resource for Bible study.
Conclusion
Catholics use a distinct Bible from Protestant Christians, including the additional Deuterocanonical books in the Old Testament. The Catholic Bible contains 73 books, compared to the 66 books found in Protestant Bibles. The inclusion of these extra books, which were part of the Septuagint, reflects the Catholic Church’s belief in their divine inspiration and authority. The Catholic Bible is rich with history, theological depth, and spiritual guidance, making it a cornerstone of Catholic faith and practice. Whether in the Douay-Rheims, New American Bible, or Jerusalem Bible translations, Catholics continue to embrace their Bible as the sacred word of God, containing teachings and truths that guide their lives.
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