The Catholic Bible book chart provides a comprehensive overview of the 73 books that are recognized as divinely inspired by the Catholic Church. Unlike Protestant Bibles, which contain 66 books, the Catholic Bible includes additional texts known as the deuterocanonical books. These extra books are part of the Old Testament and are key to understanding the full Catholic canon.
Breakdown of the Catholic Bible
The Catholic Bible is divided into two major sections: the Old Testament and the New Testament.
- The Old Testament consists of 46 books, including the deuterocanonical books such as Tobit, Judith, and 1 and 2 Maccabees. These books are part of the Greek Septuagint, which the Catholic Church accepts, but they are absent from the Protestant Bible.
- The New Testament contains 27 books, identical to those found in Protestant Bibles, starting with the Gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John) and ending with the Book of Revelation.
The Catholic Church firmly affirmed this 73-book canon at various councils, including the Council of Trent (1545-1563), which solidified the inclusion of the deuterocanonical texts.
Deuterocanonical Books
The deuterocanonical books in the Catholic Bible are:
- Tobit
- Judith
- Wisdom
- Sirach (Ecclesiasticus)
- Baruch
- 1 Maccabees
- 2 Maccabees
These books provide additional historical, moral, and theological insights that are crucial to Catholic doctrine.
The Structure of the Catholic Bible
Here is a general overview of how the books are organized:
- Pentateuch: Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, Deuteronomy
- Historical Books: Joshua, Judges, Ruth, 1 Samuel, 2 Samuel, 1 Kings, 2 Kings, and others
- Wisdom Books: Job, Psalms, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, Song of Songs, Wisdom, Sirach
- Prophets: Isaiah, Jeremiah, Lamentations, Baruch, Ezekiel, Daniel, and the 12 minor prophets
- New Testament: Gospels, Acts of the Apostles, Pauline Epistles, and Revelation.
FAQ
- How many books are in the Catholic Bible?
The Catholic Bible contains 73 books, including 46 in the Old Testament and 27 in the New Testament. - What are the deuterocanonical books?
These are books included in the Catholic Old Testament but absent from Protestant Bibles, such as Tobit, Judith, and Wisdom. - Why does the Catholic Bible have more books than the Protestant Bible?
The additional books are from the Septuagint, a Greek translation of the Jewish scriptures used by early Christians but not accepted in the Hebrew Bible. - Can Catholics read Protestant Bibles?
Yes, Catholics can read Protestant Bibles, but they should be aware of the differences in the number of books and theological interpretations. - What is the significance of the Council of Trent in the Catholic Bible?
The Council of Trent (1545-1563) reaffirmed the Catholic Church’s acceptance of the 73-book canon, including the deuterocanonical books.
The Catholic Bible book chart serves as a vital tool for understanding the full scope of Catholic scripture, providing insights not only into spiritual teachings but also into the historical and cultural context of the time.
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