The Bible is an essential part of the Christian faith, and its significance is deeply understood in every Christian tradition. The Eastern Orthodox Church, one of the oldest branches of Christianity, has its own unique version of the Bible. While the overall structure of the Bible is similar to other Christian traditions, there are some notable differences in the books included and how the Scriptures are understood. In this article, we will explore what Bible the Eastern Orthodox Christians use, how it differs from other Christian Bibles, and why these differences are important.
The Structure of the Eastern Orthodox Bible
The Eastern Orthodox Bible consists of two main sections: the Old Testament and the New Testament. Just like the Bibles used by Roman Catholics and Protestants, the Eastern Orthodox Bible includes the life and teachings of Jesus Christ, along with the writings of the apostles. However, there are some key differences that make the Eastern Orthodox Bible unique.
The Old Testament
The Old Testament in the Eastern Orthodox Church includes a wider selection of books compared to the Protestant Bible. The Eastern Orthodox Bible uses the Septuagint version of the Old Testament. The Septuagint is an ancient Greek translation of the Hebrew Scriptures that was created by Jewish scholars in the 3rd century BC. This translation is significant for several reasons, which we will discuss shortly.
The Protestant Bible, in contrast, uses a different version of the Old Testament, known as the Masoretic Text. This text is based on Hebrew manuscripts that were compiled by Jewish scholars much later than the Septuagint. The differences between the Septuagint and the Masoretic Text result in some variations in the books included in the Old Testament.
Books Found in the Eastern Orthodox Old Testament
In the Eastern Orthodox Bible, the Old Testament includes several books that are not found in the Protestant Bible. These additional books are sometimes called Deuterocanonical books (meaning “second canon”), and they are considered Scripture by the Eastern Orthodox Church. These books are:
- Tobit
- Judith
- Wisdom of Solomon
- Wisdom of Sirach (Ecclesiasticus)
- Baruch
- 1 Maccabees
- 2 Maccabees
- Additions to Esther (including additional chapters not found in the Hebrew version of Esther)
- Additions to Daniel (including the stories of Susanna, Bel and the Dragon)
These books are not found in the Protestant Bible, which is why the Protestant version of the Old Testament is shorter. The Roman Catholic Church also accepts these Deuterocanonical books, but their arrangement and recognition can vary slightly between different Christian traditions.
The New Testament
The New Testament of the Eastern Orthodox Bible is quite similar to the New Testament used by other Christian traditions, including Catholics and Protestants. It contains 27 books, which are:
- The Gospels: Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John
- The Acts of the Apostles
- The Epistles (letters written by the apostles, including Paul, Peter, James, John, and others)
- The Book of Revelation
These books are universally recognized across all Christian traditions, and they form the core of the teachings about the life, death, resurrection, and teachings of Jesus Christ.
The Septuagint vs. the Masoretic Text
One of the main distinctions in the Old Testament between the Eastern Orthodox Bible and the Protestant Bible is the use of the Septuagint instead of the Masoretic Text. The Septuagint was widely used by early Christians, including the apostles, who often quoted from it. Many of the early Church Fathers, such as St. Augustine and St. John Chrysostom, also relied on the Septuagint in their writings and teachings.
The Septuagint includes several books that are not found in the Masoretic Text, which is the basis for most Protestant Old Testaments. This is why the Eastern Orthodox Bible has a larger Old Testament with more books. These books, while not accepted by Protestants as Scripture, are considered to be divinely inspired by the Eastern Orthodox Church.
For example, the Book of 1 Maccabees and 2 Maccabees describe the history of the Jewish people during the period between the Old and New Testaments, a time that is not covered in the Protestant Bible. These books provide valuable historical context and are important for understanding the background of the New Testament.
The Wisdom of Solomon and the Book of Sirach (also known as Ecclesiasticus) are considered important works of wisdom literature that help illuminate the deeper spiritual teachings of the Bible. These books are found in the Septuagint but are not included in the Masoretic Text.
The Role of the Septuagint in Eastern Orthodox Christianity
The Eastern Orthodox Church believes that the Septuagint is the most reliable translation of the Old Testament. This is because the Septuagint was used by the early Church, and many early Christian writings are based on it. In fact, much of the Old Testament quoted in the New Testament comes from the Septuagint version.
The Eastern Orthodox Church has maintained a deep respect for the Septuagint because it is seen as the Bible of the early Christian Church. The Church Fathers, including those like St. Athanasius, St. Cyril of Alexandria, and St. Gregory the Theologian, all used and relied on the Septuagint in their theological writings and teachings. Thus, the Septuagint has become a key part of the Eastern Orthodox tradition.
The Eastern Orthodox Bible and Church Tradition
One of the most important things to understand about the Eastern Orthodox Church is the relationship between the Bible and Church Tradition. In the Eastern Orthodox tradition, the Bible is not viewed in isolation. Instead, it is seen as part of the larger Sacred Tradition of the Church, which includes the writings of the Church Fathers, the liturgical practices of the Church, and the ongoing teachings of the clergy.
The Bible is considered to be an essential part of this Sacred Tradition, but it is not the only source of authority. The Eastern Orthodox Church holds that both the Bible and Sacred Tradition work together to reveal God‘s truth. This means that the Bible is interpreted in the light of the teachings of the Church Fathers and the long history of the Church.
This view contrasts with the sola scriptura (scripture alone) principle held by many Protestant denominations, which teaches that the Bible is the only authority for Christian faith and practice. In the Eastern Orthodox Church, the Bible is central, but it is always understood in the context of the Church’s living tradition.
Why the Eastern Orthodox Bible Matters
For Eastern Orthodox Christians, the Bible is not just a book to be read. It is a sacred text that is used in worship, prayer, and study. The Scriptures are deeply intertwined with the liturgical life of the Church, and the Orthodox worship services are rich with Scripture readings.
In addition to being used in liturgy, the Bible is also central to personal prayer and meditation. Many Orthodox Christians read the Bible regularly as part of their daily devotions. The Psalms, in particular, hold a special place in Eastern Orthodox spirituality, and they are often used in personal prayer and during church services.
The Eastern Orthodox Bible is also a symbol of the unity of the Church. The books included in the Old and New Testaments reflect the theological and spiritual heritage of the Eastern Orthodox Church, which has preserved the ancient traditions of Christianity. The Bible is seen as a bridge between the present Church and the early Church, helping believers stay connected to the teachings and practices of the apostles and the early Christian communities.
Conclusion
The Bible used by the Eastern Orthodox Church is a rich and beautiful part of its spiritual life. It includes the Old and New Testaments, with the Old Testament being based on the Septuagint—an ancient Greek translation of the Hebrew Scriptures. This version of the Bible contains several books not found in the Protestant Bible, which are known as the Deuterocanonical books. These additional books offer important insights into the history and teachings of the Jewish people and the early Christian Church.
For Eastern Orthodox Christians, the Bible is not simply a book to be read but a living and sacred text that is part of the larger tradition of the Church. It is used in worship, prayer, and daily life, and its teachings are interpreted in the light of the Church’s long and rich history.
Understanding what Bible the Eastern Orthodox Church uses helps us appreciate the depth and beauty of this ancient Christian tradition and its commitment to preserving the fullness of the faith as passed down from the apostles.
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