Key Bible Facts and Issues to Consider:

What is the Bible?

The Bible is a collection of books (Biblos) revealing God's Salvation plan for man. The Bible is a superb symphony of orchestrated interrelated threads, such as the Blessed Trinity, Divine Mercy, Creation, Praise, sin and forgiveness, the Ark, Sacrifices, Heaven, Hell, Judgement, and Redemption.

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  These threads unwrap the mystery of the Crucifixion to reveal  the Power of Our Lord's Wounds, offered to God the Father, as the remedy for all evils, a power that bonds our hearts to His Heart. 

 These threads are initiated in the Old Testament, and developed and fulfilled in the New Testament. These themes are expressed in modes such as narratives, poetry, letters, biographies, chronicles, examples, sermons and parables.   

Ignatius Bible (RSV) This is the only major modern translation of the Catholic Bible available in standard English. All other major translations have been revised to conform to feminist demands for "inclusive language" (the same language Rome rejected in the new Catechism). Acclaimed for decades as the clearest, most accurate and most beautiful modern translation of the Bible in English. 'Sample image of the Bible, click on the image to see the large view. ' ' '

Who determined which Books were to be included or excluded from the Bible?

The Catholic Church determined which books were to be included and excluded from Bible. To accept the Bible, while denying the early Church connection (with its Bishops, Bishop of Rome, Priests and Councils) that composed the Bible, cuts out the very roots of the Bible.

What was the basis for including or excluding certain books of the Bible?

Early Church Councils reviewed submitted books, and tested them against Church tradition.  Books contradicting Catholic Church Tradition (for example denying the Divinity of Jesus) were excluded.  The final canon (list) of Bible books was issued by the Council of Rome in 382 AD, and promulgated by Pope Damasus.  The writings of the Fathers of the Church of the 2nd and 3rd century, show that the Church was well established long before Emperor Constantine.

Why was the Bible written?

The Bible was written under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, so that we might learn how God loves, thinks and what he expects from us. The original New Testament, in particular, was written by Catholic men, married to the Church, under the Spirit's inspiration, so that we might learn about the God's plan for the Church and His people.

What are the Apocrypha?

The Apocrypha are those books rejected as non-Biblical and contrary to Catholic Church tradition, and are not included in the canon of the Bible.

How many Versions of the Bible are there?

There are more than 80,000 versions of the Bible. New versions of the Bible continue to be added or updated. Popular English versions include American Standard, Jerusalem and King James versions. 

How do Bible versions differ from one another?

  Versions of the Bible differ from another in age, languages, the books they include, and translations from original texts.

What are the original languages of the Bible?

The original languages of the Bible are Hebrew, Aramaic and Greek.

Who wrote the Bible?

  While the Catholic Church states that the Holy Spirit is the author of the Bible, the human authors of the Bible are many, both known and unknown. The only portion of the Bible written directly by God, is the Ten Commandments. The original ten Commandments (together with the manna and Aaron's rod) had been preserved in the Ark of the Covenant, but that is now lost.

  We do not learn about the existence of the new Ark of the Covenant until the 11th Chapter of the Book of Revelations in the New Testament, when the gates of the new temple of Jerusalem are opened revealing the Ark. In the 12th Chapter of Revelations, the woman (Mary, the new Eve) who carries Jesus, is revealed.

  In a similar manner, the mistake made by Adam in the garden of Eden, is redeemed by Jesus in The Garden of Gethsemane in the New Testament.

  This common thread between Old and New Testaments, although greatly varied in time and language, points to a common author.

How old is the Bible?

  Parts of the Bible are thousands of years old. The first canonical complete Bible is from the time of the Council of Rome (382 AD).

How is the Bible organized?

The Bible is divided into the Old and New Testament.

 The Old Testament records Salvation History prior to the time of Jesus. Jews call the Old Testament, The Tanakh, and is divided into 3 parts, the first of which is the Torah.

The New Testament records the life of Jesus, as well as the acts of the early Church.

Who can interpret the meaning of the Bible?

While it is tempting to suppose that everyone interprets the Bible in the same way, such is not the case. While in many sections, the meaning of the Bible is clear, in other sections, the Church is required to interpret the Bible. Early interpretations of New Testament Scripture are by the Fathers of the Church.

Is the Catholic Mass Biblical?

Yes, the Catholic liturgy is based on events recorded in the Bible.

The Bible Facts Continued