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What Is the Catholic Version of the Bible?
Monday, June 22, 2009
InstructionsVarious VersionsStep 1: According to the Rev. Ronald D. Witherup, Catholics can use one of several versions of the Bible. These are the Revised Standard Version, Catholic version, the New Revised Standard Version, Catholic version and the New American Bible, which is the standard Catholic edition of the Bible. The New Testament and Psalms have been revised in this edition. The New Jerusalem Bible is also a Catholic Bible which contains footnotes and informative background material. The Good News Translation, Catholic edition is also considered to be a Catholic Bible. The Douay-Rheims version, while an older Catholic Bible, is still in use today. Rev. Witherup describes this Bible as " out of date", with Old Testament names which "may be confusing". This Bible is based upon the Latin (Vulgate) translation, which was, at one time, the only official Catholic version of the Bible.
What Bible Will be Used ForStep 1: Reverend Witherup points out that what a Catholic family intends to use their Bible for should influence which Bible they choose. He further stresses that the person using the Bible has to be comfortable with the version she is using it for. The Bible does not have to be used only at Mass on Sunday. It can be used during Bible study, prayer groups and at home. If she will be helping her child prepare for First Holy Communion or for Confirmation, the Bible is a very good companion. Catholics should use the version of the Bible which they are most comfortable with; if this is the Douay-Rheims or the New Revised Standard Version, both are good choices.
Use the Bible Outside of MassStep 1: For the Catholic who wants to learn more about his faith, a good Catholic version Bible can help him grow in his knowledge and faith. Catholics can pray with the Bible outside of Sunday Mass and become stronger in their faith as well. The Revised Standard Edition, 1966, Catholic edition has been given the imprimatur (official approval) of Cardinal Cushing, who was the Archbishop of the Archdiocese of Boston. Other good Catholic version Bibles to use outside of Mass would be The New American Bible and the New Jerusalem Bible.
Catechism of the Catholic ChurchStep 1: The New American Bible is the Confraternity of Christian Doctrine (CCD), 1991. This is the version most Catholics hear from the pulpit on Sundays. It is a popular choice for Catholics because they are familiar with the language within this Bible. Each section contains accurate, easily understood language, according to Rev. Witherup.
Look Out ForStep 1: The New Testament and Psalms: An Inclusive Language Version has gender-inclusive language which makes it clumsy to read. For instance, the Lord's Prayer (The Our Father) begins with "Father-Mother", where the traditional version begins, "Our Father, . . ." "The Son of Man" has been changed to "child of the human one". Another Bible to be careful of is the Living Bible (Tyndale, 1971). This contains paraphrases rather than translations. Paraphrases have editorial judgment and attempt to clarify ambiguity within the Bible. The Bible is, and should be, open to interpretation. A later version is the New Living Translation (Tyndale, 1996). This version does translate rather than paraphrase -- but it still attempts to make a "predetermined judgment" about the text's meaning, according to Rev. Witherup.
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