Catholic Bible vs. Orthodox Bible

Attribute	Catholic Bible	Orthodox Bible
Number of Books	73	78
Canon	Vulgate	Septuagint
Language	Latin	Greek
Deuterocanonical Books	Accepted	Accepted
Authority	Pope	Ecumenical Councils

Introduction

When it comes to Christianity, the Bible is considered the holy scripture that guides the faith and practices of believers. However, there are differences in the versions of the Bible used by different Christian denominations. Two major branches of Christianity, Catholicism, and Orthodoxy, have their own versions of the Bible that contain some variations. In this article, we will explore the attributes of the Catholic Bible and the Orthodox Bible, highlighting the similarities and differences between the two.

Canonical Books

One of the main differences between the Catholic Bible and the Orthodox Bible lies in the number of canonical books they contain. The Catholic Bible includes 73 books, while the Orthodox Bible has 78 books. The additional books in the Orthodox Bible are known as the deuterocanonical books, which are considered canonical by the Orthodox Church but not by the Catholic Church. These books include Tobit, Judith, Wisdom, Sirach, Baruch, and 1 and 2 Maccabees.

Language and Translations

Another difference between the Catholic Bible and the Orthodox Bible is the language in which they are written. The Catholic Bible is primarily based on the Latin Vulgate, which was translated by St. Jerome in the 4th century. On the other hand, the Orthodox Bible is based on the Septuagint, a Greek translation of the Hebrew scriptures. This difference in the source texts has led to variations in the wording and interpretation of certain passages between the two versions.

Order of Books

The order of books in the Catholic Bible and the Orthodox Bible also differs. While both versions contain the same books, they are arranged in a slightly different order. The Catholic Bible follows the traditional order of books found in the Vulgate, with the Old Testament books grouped into categories such as historical, wisdom, and prophetic books. In contrast, the Orthodox Bible follows the order of books found in the Septuagint, which may result in a different sequence of books in the Old Testament.

Scriptural Interpretation

Due to the differences in the source texts and the number of canonical books, there are variations in the interpretation of certain scriptures between the Catholic Bible and the Orthodox Bible. For example, the Orthodox Church places a greater emphasis on the deuterocanonical books, considering them to be inspired scripture. On the other hand, the Catholic Church views these books as part of the Bible but not on the same level of inspiration as the rest of the canonical books.

Authority and Tradition

Both the Catholic Church and the Orthodox Church place a strong emphasis on tradition and the authority of the Church in interpreting the Bible. However, there are differences in how each church views the role of tradition in relation to scripture. The Catholic Church believes in the dual authority of scripture and tradition, with the Magisterium serving as the interpreter of both. In contrast, the Orthodox Church places a greater emphasis on the authority of tradition, viewing it as equal to scripture in guiding the faith and practices of believers.

Conclusion

In conclusion, while the Catholic Bible and the Orthodox Bible share many similarities, there are also significant differences between the two versions. These variances can be seen in the number of canonical books, the source texts, the order of books, scriptural interpretation, and the role of tradition in guiding the faith. Despite these differences, both versions of the Bible serve as the foundation of the Christian faith for their respective denominations, guiding believers in their spiritual journey and relationship with God.