Is it ok for me to read the Gideon's Bible?

[laywind]

I’m always amused, and a little bit amazed as well, when I read a thread like this. It is clear that most who are posting know very little about bible translations. I have read the New Testament in the NAB, the RSVCE and DR, as well as the KJV, the NASB, the NIV and the HCSB. The differences in the Catholic bibles is as great as the differences between Catholic and Protestant bibles. In fact, the DR is closer to the KJV than it is to any other bible. The NAB is virtually identical to the NIV (both of them somewhat weak). So folks, if we’re talking the New Testament, it really doesn’t matter.

All Gideon bibles are KJV, and no Gideon bible has any footnotes so you should feel comfortable reading it.

As for the Old Testament, I would say the same thing except the Catholic bibles have 7 additional books not found in the Protestant versions,* i.e*., Tobit, Judith, Wisdom, Sirach, Baruch, 1 Maccabes and 2 Maccabes. They also have a few extra chapters at the end of Esther and Daniel. These books are interesting reading and I have no problem with any of them but they present very little of doctrinal significance, the only exception being prayers for the dead presented in 2 Maccabes.

 

[laywind]

Seriously Folks. I am still trying to get through one bible. Speed reading all those bibles can cause confusion. Regarding the Gideon new testament. It is not the translation that bothers me. The publication is being handed out in Catholic schools in my area and therefore children and poorly catechized Catholic adults, may by association think that the Gideon publications have the Imprimatur of the Catholic church. The said publication may not have footnotes, however it does have a foreword where it states that there are 66 books in the bible, and making no mention of the 7 deuterocanonical books that within the Catholic bible make it up to 73 books, one of which is essential to the belief in the communion of saints and praying for the dead. Also, by omitting reference to the sacred tradition of the church in the foreword, it presents the bible as the only basis for church teaching. This is error. The Gideons are an organisation to which Roman Catholics are excluded from membership. They see Roman Catholics as ripe for conversion. It is therefore not ecumenical. Error is incremental in nature. The Rock of St. Peter, upon which the Church is founded is made up of the same material as the sand. That does not mean that they are equal foundations for faith. There are in the region of 30,000 Protestant denominations which are the result of the shifting sand foundations upon which they are built…i.e individual conscience in matters of faith. The plethora of denominations is the result of error in faith and interpretation of the bible. When you have the Truth why lead yourself off the path and into the risk of error. The inspired word of God requires inspired interpretation, which is why Catholics look to sacred tradition and guidance through the Magisterium of the Church. I would advise Catholics to stay with publications that have the Imprimatur of the Church. That is why it is there.

 

[sudy]

I have read lots and lots of verses out of it, and there’s not a whole lot wrong with it IMHO.

I’m truly sorry if that offends anybody but I’ve cross referenced several Christian Bibles and they all teach pretty much the same message of Jesus Christ [these Gideon Bibles are New Testament only btw, not the Old Testament so obviously those books are missing]. I believe there are one or two verse omissions too though

The important difference in the message from different Christian faiths come down to people interpreting Scripture for themselves which, as a Catholic, is explained through Catholic teaching and at Mass.

But of course I’m not an apologetic so my opinion may be incorrect, but it’s what I honestly believe. Perhaps check with your Priest about it if you’re in any doubt about reading it.

 

[laywind]

My point is that while the Gideon bible new testament verses may be to all intents and purposes identical to the new testaments contained in Roman Catholic bibles, the Gideon organisation is not an organisation that teaches what the Catholic church teaches. The foreword to their new testament publication directly contradicts Catholic teaching by stating that “66 books make up the bible”. This is but one example. The other is the inference drawn from the foreword that faith is to be based on sacred scripture alone… i.e their 66 book bible without reference to sacred tradition. Therefore it is in error in the eyes of the Roman Catholic Church. Pure and simple. It is not a matter for argument among Roman Catholics, it is however a matter of ignorance of Church teaching. Canon law is quite clear on using publications without Catholic Imprimatur for instruction. It is not just the opinion of this humble sinner. Why direct people to error through association with a Non Catholic organisation whose many publications contradict the teachings of the Catholic Church. Should we then go to the Gideon web pages or those associated with the thousands of other Protestant denominations with our questions of faith and morality. Why stop there. Why not go to the secular advisors on such issues as many of them are “Good People”. Why do Catholics want to read these publications when they know they are in error. Catholic bibles are inexpensive also so it must be that some Catholics feel that they can interpret the bible on their own. This is the arrogance of ego and a spiritual danger, especially to those who are not well formed in their faith. If you have been directed to the fuller Truth as by being a Roman Catholic and then move away towards lesser truth and error you are on a much more Spiritually dangerous path that those who have started their journey of faith with the lesser truth and never quite get to the fuller truth. Those who would direct you in the direction of lesser truth or error seem to forget that they bear an onerous responsibility. Many seem to take it very lightly. God Bless.

 

[sudy]

Just to be clear, I’m certainly not trying to advise against the Catholic Church or Catholic teaching here. My opinion was given sincerely, though perhaps faultily. If the Church discourages reading the Gideon Bible then it should be avoided… but I might also point out that reading a Catholic Bible and attempting to interpret it ourselves would be equally dangerous. I was just thinking that it’s a free Bible that’s not too dissimilar [as long as you’re not trying to interpret yourself, of course] and I didn’t believe it would do any harm. But, I stand corrected my apologies.

edit: I meant Apologist not apologetic from my earlier comment.

 

[laywind]

My messages have not been in reply to any one comment. It was the general tone of the thread to date that prompted my response. The name of the site is Catholic Answers. It would appear however that people are not distinguishing between Catholic and Protestant contributions. Catholic contributions should reflect Catholic teaching. Catholic tags on profiles are not equivalent to Catholic contribution! One should be able to tell if the contribution is from a Catholic by its content alone. Applying that acid test it would appear that few Catholics have responded to the original question. It would also seem that the general debate was regarding translation. That is a red herring. The bible is always being revised by the Roman Catholic church as current knowledge accumulates as changes in Liturgy of the Mass would evidence. It is, as I explained about Catholic teaching and the avoidance of error. The nature of the discussion would suggest that we have freedom of individual conscience in matters of faith within the Roman Catholic church. That is a Protestant view of faith and from it a continuous erosion of the truth has resulted, to the extent that many evangelical Protestant churches do not recognise the Roman Catholic church as Christian… It is towards the proponents of this view of Roman Catholicism that the Evangelical Gideons would subtly direct unwary Roman Catholics. The thread was started by a Roman Catholic who obviously had a sincere interest in avoiding error. If the question is to be answered responsibility it is obvious that one should not direct Roman Catholics to take their instruction from Gideon publications. For anyone starting their Catholic faith journey, I would suggest that they refer to the full version of the Catholic Answers Bible as a good starting point. God Bless.