Topic:  Is there a difference between the New American Bible and the King James version?

Source of this posting: Moderator response

Date originally posted: November 22, 2003

Moderator who originally posted this source: Father Phillip

Question:  Wondering what the difference between the new american bible and the king james version. is one better, or more accurate? being catholic does it matter what one I read and follow. thank you for your time.kind regards,michael chuma

Answer: 

Good question!

And you bet it does matter! As Catholics we really need to read an approved Catholic translation of the Bible.

At Liturgy most parishes in the US read from the Revised New American Bible which is the one used in our lectionary. So, I would certainly recommend you reading it for your own prayer, study, and growth as a Christian.

The Revised New Jerusalem Bible is another Catholic Bible that is quite good and perfectly fine to use for personal reading.

And New Revised Standard Version-Catholic Edition(New RSV-Catholic Edition) is also acceptable.

The King James Version of the Bible is an important cultural and literary artifact because it's language has had an important impact on the English language and its development as well as on English literature. But it's really not a version of the Scriptures that we, as Catholics, should be reading for our own growth in faith.

Moreover, the King James Version does not include all the parts of the Old Testament which the Catholic Church thinks should be included.

While the New Testaments of the "Catholic" and "Protestant" Bibles are the same, the "Protestant Old Testament" is shorter. Martin Luther, the founder of Protestantism, omitted some of the books of the Old Testament which we Catholics believe and know to have been inspired by God. The reasons Luther chose to do this are complex, so I won't go into them.

But the point is this: As Catholics we really need to make sure that the Bible we use is a Catholic version because by doing that we're getting the fuller picture of what God wants for us in and from the Scripture.

Thanks for your question and good luck with your Bible reading!

Blessings,
Father Phillip