Which is the Catholic Bible? This question often arises among those who are new to the Catholic faith or are simply curious about the differences between various Bible versions. The Catholic Bible, as the name suggests, is the version of the Bible that is recognized and used by the Catholic Church. It contains the same books as the Protestant Bible, but with some additional texts and a different numbering system for the Old Testament.
The Catholic Bible consists of 73 books, including 46 in the Old Testament and 27 in the New Testament. The Old Testament includes the same books as the Protestant Old Testament, but with some variations in the numbering and arrangement. For example, the Catholic Bible includes the books of Tobit, Judith, Wisdom, Sirach, Baruch, and the Letter of Jeremiah, which are known as the deuterocanonical books in the Catholic tradition. These books are not included in the Protestant Old Testament, which is based on the Hebrew Bible.
One of the key differences between the Catholic and Protestant Bibles is the inclusion of the deuterocanonical books. These books were accepted by the Catholic Church as part of the canon, or the authoritative list of books considered to be inspired by God. The Protestant reformers, however, rejected these books, leading to the creation of the Protestant Bible, which contains 39 books in the Old Testament.
Another difference is the numbering system used in the Old Testament. The Catholic Bible follows the traditional Greek numbering system, while the Protestant Bible follows the Hebrew numbering system. This means that some books have different numbers in the two versions. For example, in the Catholic Bible, the book of Baruch is numbered as Baruch 1, while in the Protestant Bible, it is numbered as Baruch 3.
Despite these differences, both the Catholic and Protestant Bibles share the same core message of the Good News of Jesus Christ. The New Testament in both versions contains the Gospels, Acts of the Apostles, Epistles, and the Book of Revelation. The Catholic Church considers the New Testament to be the final revelation of God’s word, and it is used to teach and guide the faithful in their spiritual lives.
The Catholic Bible is available in various translations and formats, catering to the needs of different readers. The New American Bible (NAB), the Revised Standard Version Catholic Edition (RSVCE), and the New Revised Standard Version Catholic Edition (NRSVCE) are some of the popular translations used by Catholics today. These translations aim to provide accurate and readable versions of the Bible while maintaining the integrity of the original texts.
In conclusion, the Catholic Bible is the version of the Bible that is recognized and used by the Catholic Church. It includes the same books as the Protestant Bible, but with some additional texts and a different numbering system for the Old Testament. Understanding the differences between the Catholic and Protestant Bibles can help individuals appreciate the rich history and tradition of the Catholic faith while exploring the timeless message of the Bible. Whether you are a Catholic, Protestant, or simply curious about the Bible, knowing which is the Catholic Bible can provide a foundation for a deeper understanding of the sacred texts that have shaped countless lives throughout history.
