Catholic and Protestant Bibles

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Young_Christian

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I know that the Catholic Bible contains seven more books than most Protestant Bibles. Though I have heard the Catholic Bible criticized by Protestants for the inclusion of these books, I read fairly recently that the Scriptures approved by the early Church contained the seven books not found in most Protestant Bibles. I assume then, that those books were later removed during the Protestant Refomation?
 
That’s almost right…Actually,the books were separated from the rest of Scripture into a section called “apocrypha”, which is where Protestant Bibles (those that have them at all) have them.
It was later that they were removed. This began in America, since so many people did not want them. (Also economics: it was cheaper to leave out books that were not used by many). My understanding is that, in England, it is more common to have Protestant Bibles with these books than it is here, since they are read for “inspiration, but not doctrine” in the Church of England.
 
Yeah, you are right.

The seven books were included in the original canon of Scripture, they were later appendixed and eventually removed by Protestant Reformers.

It is interesting to note that Martin Luther also wanted to appendix(remove from the canon of Scripture) the Book of James and Revelations.
 
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ak29:
Yeah, you are right.

The seven books were included in the original canon of Scripture, they were later appendixed and eventually removed by Protestant Reformers.

It is interesting to note that Martin Luther also wanted to appendix(remove from the canon of Scripture) the Book of James and Revelations.
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Luther probably wanted to remove the book of James because it says we are not saved by faith alone!
 
Young Christian:
I know that the Catholic Bible contains seven more books than most Protestant Bibles. Though I have heard the Catholic Bible criticized by Protestants for the inclusion of these books, I read fairly recently that the Scriptures approved by the early Church contained the seven books not found in most Protestant Bibles. I assume then, that those books were later removed during the Protestant Refomation?
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This is largely true, although the early Church Bible varied more than you might think. The early Protestants rejected the Septuagint-based OT which the Catholics use in favour of the Tanakh of the Jews. While it is also true that many English Bibles had the Catholic OT in them, the ‘Apocrypha’ texts were frequently torn out by zealous Protestant publishers.

Sectarianism has never been a good thing.
 
Tim Staples said last week that Luther wanted the 7 books removed because among other things they showed evidence of praying for the dead, Purgatory, and some other beliefs that he chose not to adopt and he had no other way to justify his beliefs.

I forget the details now, but he said the Lutheran Church has moved away form some of Luther’s beliefs, which is part of why they and the Catholic Church are coming together - meaning that Lutherans are getting closer to the Catholic Church again.
 
I have a catholic bible, and the only difference I see is the inclusion of the deuterocanonical books.
 
I have debated this in great detail with a good friend of mine. He rejects the idea that the Septaugint was one collection of books and that it “included” the deuteros.

Does anyone know of any good resources that go into deep detail about the formation of the Old Testament canon?

Thanks,

g
 
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gmk:
I have debated this in great detail with a good friend of mine. He rejects the idea that the Septaugint was one collection of books and that it “included” the deuteros.

Does anyone know of any good resources that go into deep detail about the formation of the Old Testament canon?

Thanks,

g
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The Septuagint was initially compiled sometime between 287-247 BC. Most of the deuteros were written after that. Maccabees for instance came after 175 BC. The two exceptions being Tobit and Baruch. So the deuteros were added to the Septuagint by the time of Christ. The Greek speaking Jews were more fluid in compiling their canon.

You can start with the Catholic Encyclopedia: newadvent.org/cathen/03267a.htm
 
Protestant bibles are easier to come by, since most bibles you come across are protestant. I had to go to a Christian book store before I could find a Catholic Bible.
 
Luther probably wanted to remove the book of James because it says we are not saved by faith alone!
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I admit that I am a protestant, but I really like reading through these forums so that I can better understand the Catholic viewpoint. The comment above confuses me though. I have heard protestants criticized more than not for beliving in faith alone. On other posts in the past, I have discussed this very thing. In addition to faith, the general gist I have gotten from this site is that according to Catholics you must also be baptised and belong to the Catholic church to be saved. Correct me if I’m wrong though. I dont’ want to argue, I just want to understand where you’re coming from.
 
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jdc1084:
I admit that I am a protestant, but I really like reading through these forums so that I can better understand the Catholic viewpoint. The comment above confuses me though. I have heard protestants criticized more than not for beliving in faith alone. On other posts in the past, I have discussed this very thing. In addition to faith, the general gist I have gotten from this site is that according to Catholics you must also be baptised and belong to the Catholic church to be saved. Correct me if I’m wrong though. I dont’ want to argue, I just want to understand where you’re coming from.
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Well it is certainly correct that the Catholic Church is the Depository of the Faith and is the True Church but it is not enough in itself to say I am Catholic so I am saved. Not all Catholics will necessarily be saved. We have to be free from mortal sin and do good works out of our faith.
Most Protestants believe that they are saved by faith alone, i.e they do have have to do any good works because their faith alone will mean their salvation but this is not true. To say I absoutely believe in God will not in itself be enough to save you. Even Satan believes in God!
Read James 2:14-26.
 
Not everyone who says Lord, Lord, will enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of my Father.

And, no, Catholics do not say that one has to be Catholic to be saved. Those, who through no fault of their own do not understand all the truths of the Catholic faith can be saved if they
follow the Lord and cooperate with His grace.

Peace,

Dorothy
 
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