Why are there so few Catholic "red-letter" Bibles?

[lak611]

I have noticed that many Protestant Bibles are “red-letter” versions, with the words of Christ printed with red ink. I have only seen a few Catholic Bibles that are printed in this manner. Does anybody know the reason for this?

 

[Fidelis]

I have noticed that many Protestant Bibles are “red-letter” versions, with the words of Christ printed with red ink. I have only seen a few Catholic Bibles that are printed in this manner. Does anybody know the reason for this?

No particular reason that I’ve ever heard of.

 

[bilop]

I would think it is because the Catholic Church, unlike many protestants, does not favor a literal interpretation of the Bible.

All of the Bible is divinely inspired, but is not to be taken word for word. Therefore, there is not particular need to separate to words of Jesus. It all needs to be interpreted in the light of Tradition.

But, if you are a “sola scriptura”, biblical literalist, it would be important to know which words are Jesus’

God Bless

 

[lak611]

I would think it is because the Catholic Church, unlike many protestants, does not favor a literal interpretation of the Bible.

All of the Bible is divinely inspired, but is not to be taken word for word. Therefore, there is not particular need to separate to words of Jesus. It all needs to be interpreted in the light of Tradition.

But, if you are a “sola scriptura”, biblical literalist, it would be important to know which words are Jesus’

God Bless

That does seem to make sense.

 

[runandsew]

I have noticed that many Protestant Bibles are “red-letter” versions, with the words of Christ printed with red ink. I have only seen a few Catholic Bibles that are printed in this manner. Does anybody know the reason for this?

I have noticed that also, but I don’t know exactly why.
I would venture to guess, that it would be because Catholics tend not to focus on one certain quote or verse, but focus more on the whole context of the bible. Though the red letter editions are very nice, and point you to the words of Christ very quickly, they also tend to focus you away from what the context was that Jesus was speaking about. But again that is my own opinion.

I kind of like them myself, but I try to read the bible as a whole story line.

 

[Mannyfit75]

Jesus didn’t commanded us to have his words written in red ink. In fact he didn’t write any of the Gospels…

Unless someone find a parchment saying,

"And Jesus said, “Thou shall write all my words in red ink so they know my words are important than all the rest.”

 

[lak611]

I have noticed that also, but I don’t know exactly why.
I would venture to guess, that it would be because Catholics tend not to focus on one certain quote or verse, but focus more on the whole context of the bible. Though the red letter editions are very nice, and point you to the words of Christ very quickly, they also tend to focus you away from what the context was that Jesus was speaking about. But again that is my own opinion.

I kind of like them myself, but I try to read the bible as a whole story line.

Jesus didn’t commanded us to have his words written in red ink. In fact he didn’t write any of the Gospels…

Unless someone find a parchment saying,

"And Jesus said, “Thou shall write all my words in red ink so they know my words are important than all the rest.”

Thanks! I really do not have an opinion either way about the words of Christ being in red ink. I was just looking to see if anybody knew why or why not in Catholic Bibles.

 

[DaveBj]

I’m making my own as I go along. As I read the Gospels, I use a red dry marker to highlight the words of Jesus (and the words of God in the OT).

Just a holdover from my silly Protestant days

DaveBj

 

[lak611]

I’m making my own as I go along. As I read the Gospels, I use a red dry marker to highlight the words of Jesus (and the words of God in the OT).

Just a holdover from my silly Protestant days

DaveBj

I don’t think it’s silly at all. I have a set of coloured pencils that I use to highlight my Bibles.

 

[First_of_9]

Maybe Catholics are more discerning readers and don’t need visual prompts?

 

[Church_Militant]

I have noticed that many Protestant Bibles are “red-letter” versions, with the words of Christ printed with red ink. I have only seen a few Catholic Bibles that are printed in this manner. Does anybody know the reason for this?

I’ve noticed it, but it has never mattered to me, mainly because I find it very distracting.

 

[John_Hiner]

Two speculations on this point:

1. By custom, the Church uses “red letters” for another purpose – instructions for what to do while reading. These are usually read the first time through, and then mostly ignored on subsequent readings. This would not be a good habit to apply to the words of Jesus.
2. My son once asked: If they say “Words of Jesus in red,” shouldn’t we add, “Words of the Holy Spirit in black?”

Pax Christi vobiscum.

John Hiner

 

[Genesis315]

I’ve noticed it, but it has never mattered to me, mainly because I find it very distracting.

Same here. Also, I’ve never had trouble figuring out when Jesus was speaking.

 

[LilyM]

Two speculations on this point:

1. By custom, the Church uses “red letters” for another purpose – instructions for what to do while reading. These are usually read the first time through, and then mostly ignored on subsequent readings. This would not be a good habit to apply to the words of Jesus.
2. My son once asked: If they say “Words of Jesus in red,” shouldn’t we add, “Words of the Holy Spirit in black?”

Pax Christi vobiscum.

John Hiner

and red too, and every other blessed colour ink the Bible has ever been printed in

 

[lak611]

Two speculations on this point:

1. By custom, the Church uses “red letters” for another purpose – instructions for what to do while reading. These are usually read the first time through, and then mostly ignored on subsequent readings. This would not be a good habit to apply to the words of Jesus.

Where is this done? In which documents does the Church use these “red letters”? I have not seen this in any Catechism. Or are you referring to the priest’s instructions in the Sacramentary? If that’s the case, I would never have seen them.

 

[lak611]

and red too, and every other blessed colour ink the Bible has ever been printed in

That does make sense, actually. The whole Bible was inspired by the Holy Spirit.

 

[Lady_Cygnus]

Where is this done? In which documents does the Church use these “red letters”? I have not seen this in any Catechism. Or are you referring to the priest’s instructions in the Sacramentary? If that’s the case, I would never have seen them.

It’s done in the Liturgy of the Hours [or also called the Divine Office]. The stuff you’re not supposed to read more than once (or read only if you want to) is in red - the stuff you need to read every time in black.

I didn’t have an opinion either way on the words of Christ in red, until I saw that post. I have been saying the Office for only a year and, now that I think about it, I have learned to “skip over” the red letters.

 

[lak611]

It’s done in the Liturgy of the Hours [or also called the Divine Office]. The stuff you’re not supposed to read more than once (or read only if you want to) is in red - the stuff you need to read every time in black.

I didn’t have an opinion either way on the words of Christ in red, until I saw that post. I have been saying the Office for only a year and, now that I think about it, I have learned to “skip over” the red letters.

What books have the Liturgy of the Hours? Are there different versions?

Now, back to the regularly scheduled thread.

I admit, sometimes the red ink is a little difficult to read anyway. Bibles printed in all black ink can be easier on the eyes, not to mention, easier to still read if highlighted with a pencil or marker. If one chooses the highlight the words of Christ in a “red-letter” Bible, it can be near impossible to read.

 

[Lady_Cygnus]

What books have the Liturgy of the Hours? Are there different versions?

Now, back to the regularly scheduled thread.

I admit, sometimes the red ink is a little difficult to read anyway. Bibles printed in all black ink can be easier on the eyes, not to mention, easier to still read if highlighted with a pencil or marker. If one chooses the highlight the words of Christ in a “red-letter” Bible, it can be near impossible to read.

I highlighted a red-letter bible (hmm doesn’t sound quite right) once - it was impossible to read - even for my young eyes the red on yellow hurt.

might be why I can’t see now…

Anyway - the Office is a set of books also called Christian Prayer or Shorter Christian Prayer in the one book format. It’s a series of prayers to be said 3-8 times throughout the day - every religious (or nearly so) says them. They are based off the psalms and I think originally started by saying all the psalms at specific times throughout the week.

The [very] basic model is opening, 2-3 psalms, 0-1 canticle, reading, response, canticle, intercessions, closing.

here’s a wiki article (although in skimming it looked like there was a lot of tasset knowledge in it): en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Liturgy_of_the_Hours

 

[Beantown]

Jesus didn’t commanded us to have his words written in red ink.** In fact he didn’t write any of the Gospels…**

105 God is the author of Sacred Scripture. “The divinely revealed realities, which are contained and presented in the text of Sacred Scripture, have been written down under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit.” (Catechisn of the Catholic Church)