Catholic and Protestant Bibles: What is the Difference?

Catholic Exchange.com ^ | 02-06-07 | Mary Harwell Sayler

[Salvation]

Mary Harwell Sayler	Other Articles by Mary Harwell Sayler Printer Friendly Version
Catholic and Protestant Bibles: What is the Difference?

---

March 6, 2007

Question: What's the difference between a Catholic Bible and a Protestant one? Is our Old Testament the same as a Jewish Bible? If not, why?

Answer: The most noticeable differences occur in the number of books included and the order in which they have been arranged. Both the Jewish Bible and the Hebrew canon in a Protestant Bible (aka Old Testament) contain 39 books, whereas a Catholic Bible contains 46 books in the Old Testament. In addition, the Greek Orthodox, or Eastern Orthodox, Church accepts a few more books as canonized scripture.

To give you a quick overview of a complicated subject, here's what happened: Several hundred years before the birth of Christ, Babylonian conquerors forced the Jews to leave Jerusalem. Away from their Temple and, often, from their priests, the exiled people forgot how to read, write, and speak Hebrew. After a while, Jewish scholars wanted to make the Bible accessible again, so they translated Hebrew scriptures into the Greek language commonly spoken. Books of wisdom and histories about the period were added, too, eventually becoming so well known that Jesus and the earliest Christian writers were familiar with them. Like the original Hebrew scriptures, the Greek texts, which were known as the Septuagint, were not in a codex or book form as we're accustomed to now but were handwritten on leather or parchment scrolls and rolled up for ease in storage.

Eventually, the Jewish exiles were allowed to return to Jerusalem where they renovated the Temple. Then, in A.D. 70, warring peoples almost completely destroyed the sacred structure, which has never been rebuilt. Without this central place of worship, the Jews began looking to the Bible as their focal point of faith, but to assure the purity of that faith, only Hebrew scriptures were allowed into the Jewish canon. By then, however, the earliest Christians spoke and read Greek, so they continued to use the Septuagint or Greek version of the Bible for many centuries. After the Reformation though, some Christians decided to accept translations into Latin then English only from the Hebrew texts that the Jewish Bible contained, so the seven additional books in the Greek translation became known as the Apocrypha, meaning "hidden." Since the books themselves were no secret, the word seemed ironic or, perhaps, prophetic because, in 1947, an Arab boy searching for a lost goat found, instead, the Dead Sea scrolls, hidden in a hillside cave.

Interestingly, the leather scrolls had been carefully wrapped in linen cloth, coated in pitch, and placed in airtight pottery jars about ten inches across and two feet high where, well-preserved, they remained for many centuries. Later, other caves in the same area yielded similar finds with hundreds of manuscripts no longer hidden. Indeed, the oldest copies of the Bible now known to exist are the Dead Sea scrolls of the Septuagint.

Because of this authentic find from antiquity, many publishers in the twentieth century added back the books of Tobit, Judith, Wisdom, Ecclesiasticus, Baruch, First and Second Maccabees, as well as additions to Esther and Daniel. So now, when an edition of the Bible says "with Apocrypha" on the cover, the extra books from the Septuagint will usually be placed between the Old and New Testaments or at the end of the Bible. Catholic Bibles already contained those books, however, so you'll find them interwoven with other Old Testament books of history and wisdom writings. 

For the New Testament, it's a different story — and short. All of the books were written in Greek or Aramaic from the start. Although some debate occurred about which Gospels or Epistles should be included, all Christians eventually accepted all of the same 27 books in the same order. So, as long as you choose an edition that does not add explanatory notes opposed to a Catholic perspective, any reputable translation of the New Testament is fine.

 

© Copyright 2007 Catholic Exchange

[kosta50]

Perhaps then when God says we will judge angels, He is speaking to these frames wherein little is revealed?

Or maybe it is just Gnostic Paul speaking. We do not have the mind of Christ, with all due respect to the man who saved Christianity.

[kosta50]

Indeed. And some of that might involve visiting His Creation - past, present or future - to appreciate better what He has done

I think you are thinking like a human, AG. It seems you believe that all our afterlife will be spent entartaining us. True love is always and only concerned with the one who is loved, not the one who loves.

[kosta50]

I think I was speaking with a Catholic at the time. Perhaps it was about the celibacy of priests issue

Celibacy is a discipline, not doctrine. So is fasting. Both particular Church traditions (East and West) require them to different degrees (Orthodoxy being stricter on fasting and the Roman Catholic side being stricter on celibacy of its clergy).

Both disciplines have their roots in Scriptures, but the Scriptures do not specify the degree to which they are to be practiced.

Discipline aims at resisting passions, as passions lead us into sin. How successful we are in those disciplines depends on one's spiritual state. How well we do is an indicator of where we are spiritually when it comes to resisting evil.

It is a litmus test of theosis, and is intimately connected with the Lord's commandment to repent. Our rejection of evil starts with true and honest repentance, and continues with disciplines that resist passions, confession, fasting, celibacy, etc.

[kosta50]

So one way to phrase the question I have is, so how come The body is resurrected if they ain't no self after all that. What I need a body for If I have died to self

Well, by the same token we could ask why did we need a body to begin with! But we know that Adam's 'personality' is not known, nor was it something God cared to talk about.

Adam and Eve were supposed to live in bliss. The only thing God ever told them is "multiply!" The personalities begin to emerge in the fallen state, when Cain slays Abel out of jealousy, and later on as some are deemed righteous (Noah, Job, etc.) compared to others.

The answer to your question is simple: we need bodies because that's how God created us! That is our "normal" state. If He wanted us to be noëtic beings without bodies we would be angels. He already created those. He also created animals, although He wanted us to eat herbs! [this is all assuming the story of Genesis is not a myth]

Most importantly, no one is saying that we will not be different as we are today; the most important thing is that our personalities will not matter, as Adam's didn't matter. Every snow flake is unique too! Does that make each one of them precious? They all equally 'populate' the area they fall on, their uniqueness notwithstanding.

Angels are also unique and different, but their individuality and 'self' do not matter; what matters is why they appear and what message they bring. They only do God's will.

When we die unto oursleves, our personalities do not disappear; they become irrelevant, which is as good as disappearing; none of our iniquity obstructs His light. Because from there on we exist only to obey and carry out God's will. No ours. We exist for God, not the other way around.

[annalex]

Our rejection of evil starts with true and honest repentance, and continues with disciplines that resist passions, confession, fasting, celibacy, etc.

Which gives me another excuse to cite my favorite passage on theosis:

2 Grace to you and peace be accomplished in the knowledge of God and of Christ Jesus our Lord: 3 As all things of his divine power which appertain to life and godliness, are given us, through the knowledge of him who hath called us by his own proper glory and virtue. 4 By whom he hath given us most great and precious promises: that by these you may be made partakers of the divine nature: flying the corruption of that concupiscence which is in the world. 5 And you, employing all care, minister in your faith, virtue; and in virtue, knowledge; 6 And in knowledge, abstinence; and in abstinence, patience; and in patience, godliness; 7 And in godliness, love of brotherhood; and in love of brotherhood, charity. 8 For if these things be with you and abound, they will make you to be neither empty nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. 9 For he that hath not these things with him, is blind, and groping, having forgotten that he was purged from his old sins. 10 Wherefore, brethren, labour the more, that by good works you may make sure your calling and election. For doing these things, you shall not sin at any time. 11 For so an entrance shall be ministered to you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.

(2 Peter 1)

[Mad Dawg]

Is "Self" the same as "personality" or different?

Here's my story of why we need bodies:
(1)It's so I can tell us apart. I'm "in here" and you're "out there". (Yeah, and I'm the good looking and smart one, too. Hmm I see the codeine is kicking in ....).
(2) It's so I can tell you from someBODY (nyuck nycuk) else.
(3) And it's so we can communicate. My body does things to the air, and the air does things to your ears, etc ....

[Mad Dawg]

LOL! Did I leave out that the rosary was actually knotted string?


And I hope you have a wonderful day tomorrow Master O'Kolokotronis.

Mad McDawg

[kosta50]

Which gives me another excuse to cite my favorite passage on theosis...(2 Peter 1)

How appropriate! Thank you.

"And you, employing all care, minister in your faith, virtue; and in virtue, knowledge
And in knowledge, abstinence; and in abstinence, patience; and in patience, godliness
And in godliness, love of brotherhood; and in love of brotherhood, charity.
For if these things be with you and abound, they will make you to be neither empty nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ...
Wherefore, brethren, labour the more, that by good works you may make sure your calling and election. For doing these things, you shall not sin at any time."

It's not an exaggeration to say that Luther and Protestants rarely, if ever, site this.

[kosta50]

Is "Self" the same as "personality" or different?

Is self not what and who we believe we are? Is it not what special physical characteristics we have, what our attidue is, what our priorities are, how we go about our needs?.

Does a soul have any needs without a body?

And it's so we can communicate. My body does things to the air, and the air does things to your ears

Do angles communicate with God? Do they have "ears?" Does God talk to you, or is the an psychotic episode? Do you see radio waves? Is love something you can cut, shape, color and weigh?

[Kitty Mittens]

I've been Lurking on this Thread, and your Posts are just Incredible, filled with Such Love for our Christ, and Heavenly Wisdom; my Heart is Rejoicing in our Lord's Goodness and Grace and Works Among His Children. He has Given you all such Diverse and Wonderful Gifts! I Love Him with you, and Praise His Glorious Name!

To Him Be All Glory and Splendid Honor,
Both Now and Forevermore. (2Pet.3:18)

God's Grace be with you All. (Heb.13:25)

[Marysecretary]

Agreed, Quix. We all have a personality type, created by the Father for His use here on earth. We sin, as is our nature, and we corrupt our personalities. God can and does redeem those who wish to be redeemed.

[Marysecretary]

When we are born again, our personalities become more what God intended them to be from the beginning. We corrupt them as we sin, for sure, and when we're born again, God redeems us from our sin and we begin to change, giving up the alcohol, drugs, smoking, lusting, etc., at least those who are truly repentent and have given themselves over to Christ.

[Marysecretary]

It must be tough to be you, Kosta. You know it all.

[Marysecretary]

What a beautiful post, Mad Dawg. Just beautiful.

[Alamo-Girl]

It was easy to identify my sister in my “night travels,” dear Quix!

I knew it was her even though she didn’t look like she did when she graduated from this mortal life. Her body was 56 years old and ravaged by cancer.

But in the “night travels” she was healthy, young, happy – and she knew me too. Her body didn’t look “fleshy” but more like an etching in crystal – not rigid, brilliant.

But clearly she is my sister and always will be herself. So whereas I cannot say what she is up to when I am not there, her person survives.

[Marysecretary]

God created us with personality types and traits. We are born with a sinful nature. When we sin, we distort what God has created us to be. When we are born again, God can redeem us and turn us into what He has created us to be from the beginning. We grow more like Him as we grow IN Him.

[Quix]

THANKS THANKS THANKS for your kind reply.

Though now I'm a bit more confused:

But clearly she is my sister and always will be herself. So whereas I cannot say what she is up to when I am not there, her person survives.

1. Clearly is my sister
2. Always will be herself
3. Cannot say what she is up to when you are not there
4. Her person survives

1, 2 & 4 trumpet to me--PERSONALITY, IDENTITY, PERSONHOOD. Are you now agreeing that is so or do the words mean something different to you or what? I'm confuzzzed.

I think most reports of seeing loved ones and others in Heaven are that they are a perfected, 'glorified' version of what they looked like about age 30. Would that ring true with your experience of your sister?

Am really NOT trying to be bothersome or obtuse or contrary. Am REALLY SEEKING to UNDERSTAND, Dear Sister in The Lord.

[Marysecretary]

You couldn't be more wrong, Kawaii. It's all about glorifying God through His Son, Jesus Christ. I admit some mainline churches go astray but He is more than able to bring them back into line with His will. If our lives don't glorify God in our actions, then we've missed the mark.

[Alamo-Girl]

That is, however, the final station, not something happening here and now. That's why we will be given new bodies to clothe the soul before we exist the train. Our souls will be judged and either forgiven (cleansed) or rejected (condemned) based on what we have done.

With cleansed souls and new bodies we will be born, again, — in the world to come!

The Protestant notion that this is all taken care of here and now is appealing, and assuring, but sadly mistaken.

I can only testify to what I know to be true in my walk with the Lord. Your walk with Him may be different, but that is to be expected. We are not “cookie cutter” Christians.

kosta50, I am not at all like the person I was before Christ “knew” me. Back then I was self-serving, mean, rude, hateful, vain. No one wanted to be around me, I was truly unlovable. When I describe myself as a filthy, scraggly little goat, half-eaten, bruised black and bloodied hanging out of a wolf’s mouth when I heard the Master’s call – I am not kidding.

The person I am now is a brand new “me” that never existed before then - and exists not alone but by the power of God. I am more aware of being alive in Him than in the flesh. And I have experienced Him personally in precisely this fashion for nigh onto a half century.

IOW, the new me is spiritual, not physical, and already exists with Christ in God - in timelessness - even though I am yet anchored to this body. Someday I will weigh anchor from this physical body. The physical body will die, the spiritual body will not.

But while I’m still anchored to the body, the natural “me” rears her head now and again and I stumble. When this happens, I confess it, pray for His healing – and He always picks me up just like a loving father would when his child has injured herself.

As I've mentioned before, I pray "up papaw, pweese" like a toddler. I want to be transparent in Him, not wiggle down and play with other lambs in the pasture. Every time I do, I get hurt.

Over the years I have learned that I am in control and can choose to reject the urgings of the natural me. Pride, ego and vanity are the “cross-eyed bears” of the natural me - but they are no longer the boss of me, the living me, the spiritual me.

Salvation occurred in an instant for me, kosta50 – but sanctification has been a very long walk.

As to how He might choose to anchor me in the future Messianic age on earth – or the new heaven and earth – I cannot say, but I’m sure it’ll be according to His will. Christ appears in different forms in Revelation, but He remains Christ.

Perhaps He will give me a new physical body for an anchor. Or perhaps He’ll let me fly without a physical body. Perhaps both. Or perhaps He’ll merge me into someone else. Or perhaps He’ll make me stationary.

I don’t know the answer. But I know Him and I trust Him and therefore I am very sure it’ll be beautiful.

Or maybe it is just Gnostic Paul speaking. We do not have the mind of Christ, with all due respect to the man who saved Christianity.

Again, I can only testify to what I know to be true in my walk with the Lord. Your walk may be quite different from mine and that’s ok because we are not “cookie cutter” Christians.

I do experience the mind of Christ as described above. Moreover, I easily recognize others who have the same mind. And we speak a different language, a spiritual language which the natural man cannot understand.

It saddens me that you reject Paul.

Of a truth, we individually make the scales whereby we shall be judged. By whatever measure we judge others, we’ll be judged. By whatever measure we condemn others, we’ll be condemned. By whatever measure we are merciful, we shall obtain mercy.

Likewise, if we believe a certain thing is sinful – then for us, it is – and we’ll be judged by whether or not we do the thing willfully having that belief. I imagine the Amish will be judged by a different standard than the Catholics than the Southern Baptists and so on.

And since you reject Paul, I’m certain that will figure into your personal scales but how I cannot say.

me: Indeed. And some of that might involve visiting His Creation - past, present or future - to appreciate better what He has done

You: I think you are thinking like a human, AG. It seems you believe that all our afterlife will be spent entartaining us. True love is always and only concerned with the one who is loved, not the one who loves.

If someone you love creates a work of art, surely you’d be interested in seeing it because you love him/her. And if you enjoy it, then surely your beloved will be pleased.

[Marysecretary]

Thanks, AG. I pray for all folks here to be born again of the spirit of God, through His Son, Jesus Christ. There's no better life. Mxxx