It it so confusing in the bookstores with so many Bibles on the shelf. I am a non-Catholic considering converting. Any help, as specific as you could be, would be greatly appreciated. My Grandmother passed away a few days ago, and that has made me think about my life and faith a lot. She was a devout Catholic.
Thanks in advance for any help...
2007-05-30 04:35:41 · 16 answers · asked by bbrand71 1 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
The oldest Catholic bible, which was translated from St. Jerome's Latin Vulgate is the Douay-Rheims translation. Lots of Catholic booksellers have it. My favorite is:
http://www.tanbooks.com
The official translation used by the Church at Mass is the New American Bible with revised Psalms and New Testament (1988, 1991). You will want a bible with the deterocanonical books in it - 5 additional books which were removed by the Protestants.
As a companion to the Bible, I would also recommended you pick up a copy of the Catechism of the Catholic Church. Tan Books also sells that along with the Douay.
Catholics are not required to use any certain translations. In fact, for private reading and devotions, many Catholics prefer the RSV, which is published by Ignatius Press.
May God give your beloved grandmother eternal rest and peace. I am sorry for your loss.
2007-05-30 04:39:45 · answer #1 · answered by Veritas 7 · 7⤊ 0⤋
First, my condolences on the loss of your grandmother. May the perpetual light of Christ shine always upon her face.
Okay, do you want a Catholic Bible, or would you rather have something to help you with the Catholic understanding of Scripture?
The difference between a Catholic and non-Catholic Bible are a chapter in Daniel and six books of the Hebrew Scriptures. The majority of Catholic beliefs do not need these six books to be considered Biblical, although Wisdom and 2 Maccabees do supplement the epistles. I've found these books interesting but they do not contain anything really new from what can be found in Romans, Corinthians, Phillippians, etc.
A Catholic Bible will generally be of the NAB, NASB, or TEV translations. I recommend the second for completeness, up-to-dateness of research, and clarity of language (KJV can get a little boggy with the 500-year-old wordings). TEV is a bit too creative for my tastes.
If you want a book on the CATHOLIC UNDERSTANDING of SCRIPTURE, I suggest the below, all available at Borders, Barnes & Noble, and Amazon, as well as at any Catholic bookstore:
2007-05-30 08:22:15 · answer #2 · answered by Veritatum17 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Hey there,
It all depends on YOU. You need a bible that you can read well and enjoy.
Remember too that there are Youth Editions, Study Editions, Devotional Editions, Men's Editions, Women's Editions and Companion Editions - just to name a few - of most translations out there.
The Douay Rheims has been mentioned. That's a great bible. But it reads like Shakespere. If you aren't up for translating older style English in your head, then the save the Douay for a later date.
The Jerusalem Bible (not the New Jerusalem) is the official bible used in Rome. It's a college level bible. One of the few bibles that leaves the many biblical names for God as they are. Rather than translating them all as God or Lord.
The New American Bible (NOT the New American Standard Bible which is Protestant) is written at the 6th grade level. It is very easy to digest.
Spirit - NASB is a Protestant bible. The S is for Standard, not study. It is a variation of the King James. There is a study version of the NAB. But it is called NAB Personal Study Edition. I
http://www.amazon.com/Catholic-Bible-Personal-Study-American/dp/0195284054
The Good News Bible (Catholic Edition) is popular with many churches. Also a very easy read. I can't recall if the books are in order or the "apocrypha" is relegated to a back section.
The Revised Standard Version Catholic Edition is very popular. They have a new bible out which is a small zipper version with a Miraculous Medal zipper pull. It comes in black or burgundy. TINY print though. And the paper is like onion skin.
There is a new item out by Fireside Catholic Bibles. It's called the Librosario. It's a bible and rosary all in one. The rosary is embossed on the back. You sort of pray by braile.
http://www.firesidecatholic.com/
I'm particularly fond of Fireside because they refuse to go to China (where Catholics are persecuted) to make cheaper bibles.
They cost a bit more. But the quality is beyond wonderful. I don't drive. So I haul my bible everywhere in a back pack or shoulder bag. It needs to be durable.
I got mine from All Bibles. com. They have a lovely discount. Super fast shipping. And for a small fee they'll engrave your name on the front.
I love the Librosario! I'm a vegan, so I don't buy leather goods. This bible is made from Endurahyde. It's beautiful and very sturdy. The Librosario also has built in tabs. The Librosario comes in the NAB.
This one is full size, with a full rosary on the back:
http://www.allbibles.com/itemdesc.asp?ic=1556653360
This one is smaller. A youth bible. With only one decade on the back:
http://www.allbibles.com/itemdesc.asp?ic=1556654626
They also come in black, cream or large print editions.
Edit: Many priests I know say the St. Joseph's Edition of the NAB has the best footnotes.
http://www.getfed.com/product_detail.cfm?ID=6990&AID=237&new=yes
I have a pocket version of this one. I like it because the footnotes are on the same page. With my Librosario, they are at the back of the section so I have to flip back and forth which can get a little old if you're reading for some time.
2007-05-30 06:44:38 · answer #3 · answered by Max Marie, OFS 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
There is the New American Bible, the Douay Rheims bible that are both great Catholic bibles. Might want to find a Catholic bookstore. Very sorry for your loss. May God be with you all at this time
2007-05-30 04:41:44 · answer #4 · answered by tebone0315 7 · 6⤊ 0⤋
So many have given you wonderful places to look for a Catholic Bible....and the RCIA at your local parish is a great place to start. At my parish even many Cradle Catholics participate to better understand our faith.....
I am so sorry on the loss of your Grandmother. I will keep you in my prayers because I do understand your loss...My Grams died back in Feb. God be with you.
Peace be with you.
2007-05-30 05:28:02 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
Sorry to hear about your Grandma,
I remember when my Grandpa died it had a profound effect on me.
You could try a New American Bible
it is translated into everyday language without
Thee, Thou, and Lo, etc...
Catholic Bible you'll get 14 books in Daniel
whatever you do DON'T go into a Christian Book Store and ask for anything Catholic....ha ha ha ha ha unless you just want a really good laugh. hahahaha
2007-05-30 04:51:33 · answer #6 · answered by ! 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
The best place to check is at: http://www.catholiccompany.com/display_results.cfm?category=464
www.Catholic.com it is also a good place to ask questions about the Catholic faith. you might want to also look into joining RCIA class at a local Parish, they normally start in the early fall and go through Easter, some go year around though.
Just talk with a local Priest, you can find a local parish at www.masstimes.org
Good Luck and God Bless your search!
2007-05-30 04:47:31 · answer #7 · answered by C 7 · 3⤊ 0⤋
I suggest trying a Catholic bookstore, or even a general Christian bookstore.
Furthermore, if you are interested in joining the Catholic Church, you should contact your most local Catholic Church & ask to be enrolled in the RCIA(Rite of Christian Initian of Adults)programme. The next one starts in September.
2007-05-30 04:42:14 · answer #8 · answered by clusium1971 7 · 4⤊ 0⤋
The Catholic Bible...says Catholic Bible on it.
http://www.amazon.com/New-American-Bible-Catholics-Testament/dp/0529064847/ref=pd_bbs_sr_3/103-0865880-4730201?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1180539610&sr=8-3
You can buy it online at Amazon...just type in Catholic Bible.
I'm a convert to Catholicism...welcome to the faith. You will find that you are about to embark on a truly amazing spiritual journey.
2007-05-30 04:41:26 · answer #9 · answered by Misty 7 · 7⤊ 0⤋
The Catholic bible is unique, it has six extra books that Protestants took out of it. Try ewtn.com and go to the Religious Catalouge.
2007-05-30 04:49:40 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 0⤋