Holy Bible vs. Catholic Bible — What's the Difference?
Edited by Tayyaba Rehman — By Fiza Rafique — Published on December 21, 2023
The Holy Bible is a collection of sacred texts in Christianity, while the Catholic Bible is a version of the Holy Bible with books recognized by the Catholic Church.
Difference Between Holy Bible and Catholic Bible
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
The Holy Bible serves as the foundational text for Christians worldwide, encompassing the Old and New Testaments. It offers guidance, moral teachings, and insight into humanity's relationship with God. In contrast, the Catholic Bible refers specifically to the Holy Bible version that includes books endorsed by the Roman Catholic Church.
While the Holy Bible's contents can vary based on denomination, it generally maintains consistent core books. The Catholic Bible, however, always includes seven additional books in the Old Testament, known as the "Deuterocanonical" books, not found in Protestant Bibles.
Many people often use "Holy Bible" as a general term to refer to the sacred Christian scriptures without specifying a denomination. Conversely, the term "Catholic Bible" is exclusive, signifying its alignment with Catholic beliefs and teachings.
Though both the Holy Bible and Catholic Bible provide spiritual guidance, their difference lies in the canon they accept. The inclusion or exclusion of specific books results from theological and historical distinctions between Catholicism and Protestantism.
Comparison Chart
General Definition
Collection of sacred Christian texts
Version of Holy Bible with books recognized by the Catholic Church
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Content Variance
Can vary by denomination
Consistent with Deuterocanonical books
Deuterocanonical Books
Not always included
Always included
Common Usage
General term for Christian scriptures
Specific to Roman Catholic teachings
Primary Denomination Use
Multiple denominations
Roman Catholic Church
Compare with Definitions
Holy Bible
Spiritual guide for believers.
She reads the Holy Bible every morning as a form of meditation.
Catholic Bible
Contains Deuterocanonical books.
In the Catholic Bible, you'll find the Book of Wisdom.
Holy Bible
Contains Old and New Testaments.
The stories of Jesus are found in the New Testament of the Holy Bible.
Catholic Bible
Rooted in Catholic tradition.
The Catholic Bible has been influential in shaping Catholic theology.
Holy Bible
Foundational Christian texts.
Many turn to the Holy Bible for guidance and wisdom.
Catholic Bible
Guiding scripture for Catholics.
He received a Catholic Bible at his Confirmation ceremony.
Holy Bible
Divinely inspired word of God.
The Holy Bible is revered as God's message to humanity.
Catholic Bible
Holy Bible version recognized by the Catholic Church.
The Catholic Bible includes the Book of Tobit, not found in all Protestant Bibles.
Holy Bible
Sacred scriptures of Christianity.
The Holy Bible contains both the Old and New Testaments.
Catholic Bible
Aligned with Roman Catholic teachings.
The Catholic Bible is studied in Catholic schools to understand the faith.
Common Curiosities
Why are some books excluded in non-Catholic Bibles?
The exclusion stems from theological and historical differences between Catholicism and Protestantism.
What is the Holy Bible?
The Holy Bible is the collection of sacred texts in Christianity, including the Old and New Testaments.
Are the New Testaments the same in both Bibles?
Yes, the New Testament in the Catholic Bible and other versions of the Holy Bible is generally the same.
Is the Catholic Bible different from the Holy Bible?
The Catholic Bible is a version of the Holy Bible with specific books recognized by the Catholic Church.
Are there other Bible versions besides the Catholic one?
Yes, there are many versions like the King James Bible, NIV, ESV, and others, often tied to various denominations.
Why does the Catholic Bible have additional books?
The Catholic Bible includes seven Deuterocanonical books in the Old Testament, recognized by the Catholic Church but not all Protestant denominations.
Can I use the term Holy Bible for any Christian scripture?
Yes, "Holy Bible" is a general term for Christian scriptures and doesn't specify a denomination.
Is the content of the Catholic Bible consistent?
Yes, the Catholic Bible consistently includes the Deuterocanonical books.
How important is the Bible in Christianity?
The Holy Bible is foundational in Christianity, providing guidance, teachings, and spiritual insights.
Do all Christian denominations have their version of the Bible?
Not all denominations have unique versions, but there are various translations and editions preferred by different denominations.
Where did the Deuterocanonical books originate?
These books have ancient Jewish origins and were included in the Septuagint, an ancient Greek translation of Jewish scriptures.
Why is it essential to have different Bible versions?
Different versions cater to theological beliefs, linguistic nuances, and historical contexts of various Christian denominations.
Who decides the books in the Catholic Bible?
The canon of the Catholic Bible was affirmed by Church councils and the Magisterium of the Catholic Church.
Is the Catholic Bible's Old Testament longer than other versions?
Yes, due to the inclusion of the Deuterocanonical books, it's longer than many Protestant versions.
What language was the Holy Bible originally written in?
The Holy Bible was written in Hebrew, Aramaic, and Greek.
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Written by
Fiza RafiqueFiza Rafique is a skilled content writer at AskDifference.com, where she meticulously refines and enhances written pieces. Drawing from her vast editorial expertise, Fiza ensures clarity, accuracy, and precision in every article. Passionate about language, she continually seeks to elevate the quality of content for readers worldwide.
Edited by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
