The Bible is the most widely read book in the world, and it has had a profound impact on human history. But even though the Bible is so well-known, there are still many mysteries surrounding it. One of the biggest mysteries is why the Catholic Bible has seven more books than the Protestant Bible.
In this article, we will explore this mystery and learn more about the deuterocanonical books. We will also discuss the significance of these books for both Catholics and Protestants.
So, if you’ve ever wondered why the Catholic Bible has seven more books than the Protestant Bible, read on!
List of The 7 Books in The Catholic Bible Not Found in The Protestant Bible
The seven books in the Catholic Bible that are not found in the Protestant Bible are known as the deuterocanonical books. They were written in the centuries between the Old and New Testaments, and they were included in the Septuagint, the Greek translation of the Hebrew Bible that was used by the early Christians.
The deuterocanonical books are:
- Tobit
- Judith
- Wisdom
- Sirach (Ecclesiasticus)
- Baruch
- 1 Maccabees
- 2 Maccabees
Tobit
Tobit is a historical novella that tells the story of a devout Jewish man named Tobit and his son Tobias. Tobit is blinded by bird droppings, and Tobias sets out on a journey to find a cure. Along the way, Tobias meets the angel Raphael, who helps him to complete his journey and to heal his father’s blindness. The book of Tobit teaches a number of important lessons, including the importance of almsgiving, prayer, and perseverance.
Judith
Judith is a historical novella that tells the story of a beautiful and courageous Jewish widow named Judith. Judith saves her city from the Assyrian army by seducing and then killing the enemy general, Holofernes. The book of Judith is a story of faith, courage, and patriotism. It also teaches the importance of women’s empowerment and God’s protection of the faithful.
Wisdom
The book of Wisdom is a wisdom book that contains a collection of sayings and reflections on the nature of wisdom and the good life. The book is written in a poetic style, and it draws on a variety of sources, including the Hebrew Bible, Greek philosophy, and Egyptian wisdom literature. The book of Wisdom teaches the importance of seeking wisdom, living a virtuous life, and trusting in God.
Sirach (Ecclesiasticus)
The book of Sirach is a wisdom book that contains a collection of sayings and reflections on a wide range of topics, including ethics, morality, and practical living. The book is written in a simple and direct style, and it is intended for a general audience. The book of Sirach teaches the importance of living a good and moral life, honoring one’s parents, and fearing God.
Baruch
The book of Baruch is a collection of five prose and two poetic pieces that are attributed to Baruch, the secretary of the prophet Jeremiah. The book contains reflections on the exile of the Jewish people to Babylon, as well as prayers and confessions. The book of Baruch teaches the importance of repentance, trust in God, and hope for the future.
1 Maccabees
The book of 1 Maccabees is a historical account of the Maccabean revolt, which was a Jewish uprising against the Seleucid Empire in the second century BC. The book tells the story of the Maccabean brothers, Judas, Jonathan, and Simon, and their struggle to maintain Jewish religious freedom. The book of 1 Maccabees is a story of faith, courage, and military victory. It also teaches the importance of standing up for one’s beliefs, even in the face of persecution.
2 Maccabees
The book of 2 Maccabees is a historical account of the Maccabean revolt, similar to 1 Maccabees. However, 2 Maccabees is more focused on the religious and theological aspects of the revolt. The book contains accounts of miracles, visions, and prophecies. It also teaches the importance of God’s intervention in history and the importance of fighting for religious freedom.
Reasons why the 7 Books are not found in the Protestant Bible
There are a few reasons why the seven books of the Catholic Bible that are not found in the Protestant Bible are not included in the Protestant Bible:
1. The Protestant Bible is based on the Hebrew Bible, which is the sacred text of Judaism. The seven deuterocanonical books were not part of the original Hebrew Bible, and they were not considered to be Scripture by the Jewish people.
2. The seven deuterocanonical books were written in Greek, while the rest of the Hebrew Bible was written in Hebrew. This suggests that these books were written for a different audience, perhaps for Greek-speaking Jews or Christians.
3. The early Christian church did not have a single, agreed-upon canon of Scripture. Different Christian communities used different lists of books in their worship services. It was not until the fourth century AD that the Catholic Church finalized its canon of Scripture, which included the seven deuterocanonical books.
4. The seven deuterocanonical books contain some theological perspectives that are different from the theological perspectives of the rest of the Bible. For example, the book of Wisdom teaches that God is the creator of all things, both good and evil, while the book of Genesis teaches that God created everything as good.
5. The early Christian church did not have a single, agreed-upon canon of Scripture. Different Christian communities used different lists of books in their worship services. It was not until the fourth century AD that the Catholic Church finalized its canon of Scripture, which included the seven deuterocanonical books.
6. The Protestant reformers of the 16th century rejected the authority of the Catholic Church and its canon of Scripture. They believed that the only authoritative source of Scripture was the Hebrew Bible. As a result, they rejected the seven deuterocanonical books, which were not part of the Hebrew Bible.
The Books Found in the Catholic Bible
The Catholic Bible contains 73 books, including 46 in the Old Testament and 27 in the New Testament. The Old Testament is the sacred text of Judaism, and it contains a variety of genres, including history, poetry, prophecy, and wisdom literature. The New Testament is the sacred text of Christianity, and it contains the four Gospels, the Epistles, and the Book of Revelation.
Here is a list of all the books found in the Catholic Bible:
Old Testament
- Genesis
- Exodus
- Leviticus
- Numbers
- Deuteronomy
- Joshua
- Judges
- Ruth
- 1 Samuel
- 2 Samuel
- 1 Kings
- 2 Kings
- 1 Chronicles
- 2 Chronicles
- Ezra
- Nehemiah
- Tobit
- Judith
- Esther
- Wisdom
- Sirach (Ecclesiasticus)
- Isaiah
- Jeremiah
- Lamentations
- Baruch
- Ezekiel
- Daniel
- Hosea
- Joel
- Amos
- Obadiah
- Jonah
- Micah
- Nahum
- Habakkuk
- Zephaniah
- Haggai
- Zechariah
- Malachi
New Testament
- Matthew
- Mark
- Luke
- John
- Acts of the Apostles
- Romans
- 1 Corinthians
- 2 Corinthians
- Galatians
- Ephesians
- Philippians
- Colossians
- 1 Thessalonians
- 2 Thessalonians
- 1 Timothy
- 2 Timothy
- Titus
- Philemon
- Hebrews
- James
- 1 Peter
- 2 Peter
- 1 John
- 2 John
- 3 John
- Jude
- Revelation
The Catholic Bible is a rich and complex text that has been studied and interpreted for centuries. It offers a wealth of insights into the history, theology, and spirituality of both Judaism and Christianity.
The Books Found in the Protestant Bible
The Protestant Bible contains 66 books, including 39 in the Old Testament and 27 in the New Testament. The Old Testament is the same as the Hebrew Bible, and it contains a variety of genres, including history, poetry, prophecy, and wisdom literature. The New Testament is the same as the Catholic New Testament, and it contains the four Gospels, the Epistles, and the Book of Revelation.
Here is a list of all the books found in the Protestant Bible:
Old Testament
- Genesis
- Exodus
- Leviticus
- Numbers
- Deuteronomy
- Joshua
- Judges
- Ruth
- 1 Samuel
- 2 Samuel
- 1 Kings
- 2 Kings
- 1 Chronicles
- 2 Chronicles
- Ezra
- Nehemiah
- Esther
- Job
- Psalms
- Proverbs
- Ecclesiastes
- Song of Solomon
- Isaiah
- Jeremiah
- Lamentations
- Ezekiel
- Daniel
- Hosea
- Joel
- Amos
- Obadiah
- Jonah
- Micah
- Nahum
- Habakkuk
- Zephaniah
- Haggai
- Zechariah
- Malachi
New Testament
- Matthew
- Mark
- Luke
- John
- Acts of the Apostles
- Romans
- 1 Corinthians
- 2 Corinthians
- Galatians
- Ephesians
- Philippians
- Colossians
- 1 Thessalonians
- 2 Thessalonians
- 1 Timothy
- 2 Timothy
- Titus
- Philemon
- Hebrews
- James
- 1 Peter
- 2 Peter
- 1 John
- 2 John
- 3 John
- Jude
- Revelation
It is important to note that the Catholic Bible and the Protestant Bible are not mutually exclusive. Both Bibles contain the core teachings of Christianity, and both Bibles can be used to study and understand the faith.
Other Books Not Found In the Catholic Bible
There are a number of books that are not found in the Catholic Bible, but which are nonetheless considered to be important religious texts by some Christians. These books are often referred to as the apocrypha.
Some of the most well-known apocryphal books include:
- The Gospel of Judas
- The Gospel of Thomas
- The Acts of Peter
- The Apocalypse of Peter
- The Gospel of Mary
- The Shepherd of Hermas
- The Epistle of Barnabas
- The Didache
- The Testament of Abraham
- The Testament of Job
- The Testament of Solomon
- The Apocalypse of Adam
These books offer a variety of perspectives on early Christianity, and they can help us to better understand the diversity of beliefs and practices that existed in the early church.
It is important to note that the apocryphal books are not considered to be Scripture by the Catholic Church or by most other major Christian denominations. However, they are still valuable sources of information about the early church, and they can help us to better understand the historical and theological context in which the Bible was written.
Conclusion
The seven books of the Catholic Bible that are not found in the Protestant Bible are known as the deuterocanonical books. They were written in the centuries between the Old and New Testaments, and they offer a variety of perspectives on early Judaism and Christianity.
The deuterocanonical books are important for a number of reasons. First, they offer insights into the diversity of beliefs and practices that existed in the early church. Second, they can help us to better understand the historical and theological context in which the Bible was written. Third, they can challenge our assumptions about what it means to be a Christian.
While the deuterocanonical books are not part of the Protestant Bible, they are still valuable sources of information about the early church and the diversity of beliefs and practices that existed at that time. They can help us to better understand our own faith and the world around us.
Frequently Asked Questions
The frequently asked questions below explore these and other topics related to the deuterocanonical books. I hope this information is helpful and informative.
What are the 7 books in the Catholic Bible not found in the Protestant Bible?
The 7 books in the Catholic Bible not found in the Protestant Bible are:
- Tobit
- Judith
- Wisdom
- Sirach (Ecclesiasticus)
- Baruch
- 1 Maccabees
- 2 Maccabees
These books are known as the deuterocanonical books.
Why are the 7 books in the Catholic Bible not found in the Protestant Bible?
There are a few reasons why the deuterocanonical books are not found in the Protestant Bible. First, they were not included in the Hebrew Bible, which is the sacred text of Judaism. Second, they were written in Greek, while the rest of the Hebrew Bible was written in Hebrew. Third, they contain some theological perspectives that are different from the theological perspectives of the rest of the Bible. Fourth, they were not included in the early Christian canon. Fifth, they were rejected by the Protestant reformers.
Are the 7 books in the Catholic Bible not found in the Protestant Bible still important?
Yes, the deuterocanonical books are still important for a number of reasons. First, they offer insights into the diversity of beliefs and practices that existed in the early church. Second, they can help us to better understand the historical and theological context in which the Bible was written. Third, they can challenge our assumptions about what it means to be a Christian.
Where can I read the 7 books in the Catholic Bible not found in the Protestant Bible?
The deuterocanonical books are included in the Catholic Bible and in many Orthodox Bibles. They can also be found in a number of English translations, including the Douay-Rheims Bible, the New American Bible, and the Revised Standard Version Catholic Edition.
What are some of the key themes in the 7 books in the Catholic Bible not found in the Protestant Bible?
Some of the key themes in the deuterocanonical books include:
- Faith
- Courage
- Resilience
- Wisdom
- Justice
- Mercy
- Forgiveness
- Redemption
How can I apply the lessons of the 7 books in the Catholic Bible not found in the Protestant Bible to my own life today?
We can apply the lessons of the deuterocanonical books to our own lives today by:
- Having faith in God, even in the midst of difficult circumstances.
- Standing up for what is right, even when it is difficult.
- Overcoming challenges and setbacks.
- Seeking wisdom and understanding.
- Pursuing justice and mercy.
- Forgiving others and asking for forgiveness ourselves.
- Trusting in God’s redemptive love.