What are the differences between Orthodox, Catholic, and Protestant Bibles?

The differences between Orthodox, Catholic, and Protestant Bibles are rooted in the historical, theological, and ecclesiastical developments that have shaped each tradition. Understanding these differences requires a journey through the history of the Church, the Reformation, and the translation of the Bible. Each tradition has its own canon of Scripture, which reflects its theological perspectives and historical experiences.

The Canon of Scripture

The term "canon" refers to the authoritative list of books that are considered Scripture. The differences in the canons of Orthodox, Catholic, and Protestant Bibles are significant and have profound implications for theology and practice.

Orthodox Bible

The Orthodox Christian Bible includes the Old Testament and the New Testament, but its Old Testament canon is larger than that of the Protestant Bible. The Orthodox Old Testament is based on the Septuagint (LXX), a Greek translation of Hebrew Scriptures that was widely used in the early Church. The Septuagint includes books that are not found in the Hebrew Bible, often referred to as the "Deuterocanonical" books or "Anagignoskomena" in the Orthodox tradition.

The Orthodox Old Testament includes books such as 1 Esdras, Tobit, Judith, Wisdom of Solomon, Sirach (Ecclesiasticus), Baruch, the Letter of Jeremiah, additions to Daniel (Susanna, Bel and the Dragon, the Prayer of Azariah), and additions to Esther. The Orthodox New Testament is identical to that of the Catholic and Protestant traditions, consisting of 27 books.

Catholic Bible

The Catholic Bible also includes the Old Testament and the New Testament, but its Old Testament canon is slightly different from the Orthodox canon. The Catholic Old Testament is based on the Septuagint but includes a specific list of Deuterocanonical books that were affirmed at the Council of Trent (1546) in response to the Protestant Reformation.

The Catholic Old Testament includes the following Deuterocanonical books: Tobit, Judith, Wisdom of Solomon, Sirach (Ecclesiasticus), Baruch, 1 Maccabees, 2 Maccabees, and additions to Esther and Daniel. Like the Orthodox and Protestant traditions, the Catholic New Testament consists of 27 books.

Protestant Bible

The Protestant Bible consists of the Old Testament and the New Testament, but its Old Testament canon is based on the Hebrew Bible (Tanakh) and does not include the Deuterocanonical books. The Protestant Reformation, led by figures such as Martin Luther, emphasized a return to the Hebrew canon for the Old Testament.

As a result, the Protestant Old Testament includes only the books found in the Hebrew Bible: Genesis through Malachi, totaling 39 books. The Protestant New Testament is identical to that of the Orthodox and Catholic traditions, consisting of 27 books.

Historical Context

The differences in the canons of Orthodox, Catholic, and Protestant Bibles are deeply rooted in historical developments.

Early Church and the Septuagint

The early Christian Church primarily used the Septuagint as its Old Testament Scripture, especially in the Greek-speaking regions of the Roman Empire. The Septuagint was widely accepted and used by the early Church Fathers, and it included books that were later disputed during the Reformation.

Councils and Canons

The process of determining the canon of Scripture was complex and took several centuries. Various local councils and synods in the early Church made decisions about the canon, but there was not a universally accepted list until later. The Councils of Hippo (393) and Carthage (397, 419) played significant roles in affirming the canon of Scripture, including the Deuterocanonical books.

The Reformation

The Protestant Reformation in the 16th century brought significant changes to the canon of Scripture. Reformers like Martin Luther questioned the authority of the Deuterocanonical books, arguing that they were not part of the Hebrew Bible and should not be considered Scripture. This led to the exclusion of these books from the Protestant Old Testament.

In response, the Catholic Church reaffirmed the canon of Scripture, including the Deuterocanonical books, at the Council of Trent. This solidified the differences between the Catholic and Protestant canons.

Theological Implications

The differences in the canons of Orthodox, Catholic, and Protestant Bibles have theological implications that affect doctrine, liturgy, and practice.

Authority of Scripture

For Protestants, the principle of "sola scriptura" (Scripture alone) emphasizes the authority of the Bible as the sole rule of faith and practice. This principle led to a focus on the Hebrew canon for the Old Testament, excluding the Deuterocanonical books.

In contrast, the Orthodox and Catholic traditions hold to a broader understanding of authority, which includes Scripture, Tradition, and the teaching authority of the Church (Magisterium for Catholics). The inclusion of the Deuterocanonical books reflects this broader perspective on authority.

Doctrinal Differences

The inclusion or exclusion of the Deuterocanonical books has led to doctrinal differences between the traditions. For example, the Catholic doctrine of Purgatory finds some support in 2 Maccabees 12:45-46, a Deuterocanonical book. Since this book is not included in the Protestant canon, the doctrine of Purgatory is not accepted in Protestant theology.

Similarly, the Orthodox tradition includes prayers for the dead and the veneration of saints, practices that are supported by some of the Deuterocanonical books. These practices are less emphasized or absent in Protestant traditions due to the exclusion of these books.

Translation and Interpretation

The translation and interpretation of the Bible have also been influenced by the differences in the canons.

Orthodox Tradition

The Orthodox Church has traditionally used the Septuagint as its primary Old Testament text, and this has influenced Orthodox theology and liturgy. The Septuagint's Greek text has shaped the language and thought of the Eastern Church, and its inclusion of the Deuterocanonical books has enriched Orthodox spirituality.

Catholic Tradition

The Catholic Church has used the Latin Vulgate, translated by St. Jerome in the late 4th century, as its authoritative text for many centuries. The Vulgate includes the Deuterocanonical books, and its translation has influenced Western Christian thought and practice. The Catholic Church also emphasizes the importance of Tradition and the Magisterium in interpreting Scripture.

Protestant Tradition

Protestant translations of the Bible, such as the King James Version (1611) and subsequent translations, have been based on the Hebrew text for the Old Testament and the Greek text for the New Testament. The exclusion of the Deuterocanonical books has led to a focus on the canonical books of the Hebrew Bible, and this has shaped Protestant theology and practice.

Conclusion

The differences between Orthodox, Catholic, and Protestant Bibles are rooted in historical developments, theological perspectives, and ecclesiastical decisions. The Orthodox and Catholic traditions include the Deuterocanonical books in their Old Testament canons, reflecting their use of the Septuagint and broader understanding of authority. The Protestant tradition, influenced by the Reformation, adheres to the Hebrew canon for the Old Testament, emphasizing the principle of "sola scriptura."

These differences have profound implications for theology, doctrine, liturgy, and practice. Understanding these distinctions helps to appreciate the rich diversity within the Christian tradition and the historical context that has shaped the development of the Bible in different Christian communities.