Insights

Why Does the Catholic Bible Have 73 Books While the Protestant Bible Has Only 66?

The difference between the Catholic and Protestant Bibles has been a subject of theological debate and historical inquiry for centuries. While some believe that the Catholic Church added seven books to the Bible in response to the Protestant Reformation, the truth is far more complex and deeply rooted in early Christian history.

The Canon of Scripture: A Historical Overview

The Catholic Bible contains 73 books, whereas the Protestant Bible has 66. This discrepancy arises from the inclusion or exclusion of seven books known as the “Deuterocanonical” books. These books are Tobit, Judith, Wisdom, Sirach (Ecclesiasticus), Baruch, and 1 and 2 Maccabees, along with additions to Esther and Daniel.

In the 4th century AD, St. Athanasius, a prominent Church Father, compiled a list of 73 books that he believed were divinely inspired. This list was accepted and approved by Pope Damasus I in 382 AD and subsequently ratified by Church councils at Hippo (393 AD) and Carthage (397 AD). These councils established the canon of Scripture for the Catholic Church, which has remained unchanged.

Contrary to popular belief, the Catholic Church did not add these books during the Council of Trent (1546). The Council of Trent merely reaffirmed the existing canon in response to the Protestant Reformation, which had challenged the authority of these books.

The Protestant Reformation and Martin Luther’s Changes

Martin Luther, the central figure of the Protestant Reformation in the 16th century, made significant changes to the Bible. Luther removed the seven Deuterocanonical books from the Old Testament, arguing that they were not included in the Hebrew Bible. His rationale was based on the Jewish Council of Jamnia, which met around 90 AD and did not include these books in the Jewish canon.

However, it’s important to note that the Jewish Council of Jamnia had no authoritative standing within the Christian Church. By the time of this council, the Christian Church had already established its canon of Scripture, and the Septuagint (a Greek translation of the Old Testament that included the Deuterocanonical books) was widely used by early Christians, including Jesus and the apostles.

Luther also expressed doubts about certain New Testament books, such as James, Hebrews, Jude, and Revelation. He famously referred to the Book of James as “an epistle of straw.” However, despite his reservations, Luther ultimately retained all 27 books of the New Testament that had been affirmed by the Catholic Church.

The Catholic Church’s Authority and the Bible

The Catholic Church asserts that it is the guardian and interpreter of Scripture. The Bible, as a sacred text, cannot exist independently of the Church. This belief is rooted in the understanding that the Church, under the guidance of the Holy Spirit, played a crucial role in the formation, preservation, and interpretation of the Bible.

The early Church Fathers universally accepted the Deuterocanonical books as divinely inspired, despite some initial reservations from figures like St. Jerome. While St. Jerome initially questioned the inclusion of these books, he ultimately submitted to the Church’s authority and accepted the canon as it was established.

The Importance of the Septuagint

The Septuagint, a Greek translation of the Hebrew Scriptures, is significant in this discussion. This translation, completed by 70 Jewish scholars, included the Deuterocanonical books. It was widely used by Jews of the Diaspora and was frequently quoted by Jesus and the apostles in the New Testament.

Luther’s decision to reject these books in favor of the Hebrew canon established by the Jewish Council of Jamnia raises questions about his theological motivations. Why trust the Jewish authorities on the Old Testament canon when he rejected much of their tradition and teachings?

A Catholic Perspective on the Bible

The Catholic Church teaches that the Bible is inseparable from its tradition and authority. The 73 books of the Catholic Bible reflect the Church’s understanding of divine revelation, passed down through the centuries. The Protestant Reformation, while a significant historical event, led to a departure from this tradition by removing the seven Deuterocanonical books.

In the end, the Bible as we know it today is a product of the Church’s careful discernment and guidance. The Church’s role in preserving and interpreting Scripture remains central to Catholic belief, emphasizing the inseparable connection between the Bible and Catholicism.

The next time someone asks why the Catholic Bible has 73 books, the answer lies not in a reactionary addition but in a profound continuity with the earliest Christian tradition.