The Bible is a collection of stories, teachings, literature, and religious scriptures considered spiritual and sacred for Christians and Jews. It is a holy collection and compilation of the divine teachings of Lord Jesus.
However, the Bible has evolved and has undergone variations due to the discrepancies between different groups and Christianity followers.
Catholic Bible and the New International Version are the two few versions of the Bible.
Key Takeaways
- The Catholic Bible contains additional books based on the Latin Vulgate translation, while NIV is a Protestant version translated from the original Greek and Hebrew texts.
- The Catholic Bible emphasizes the authority of the Church, while NIV places greater emphasis on individual interpretation and application.
- The Catholic Bible is used in Catholic liturgy and rituals, while NIV is widely used in Protestant churches and personal study.
Catholic Bible vs NIV
Catholic Bible is a Holy Book of the Catholic Christians that consists of 73 books in the Old and New Testament and the Vulgate. More than hundred scholars formulated the bible. NIV Bible is the English translation of the bible initiated by Howard Long, and NIV means New International Versions.
Catholic Bible is the Holy Book of the Christians and the actual Christian Bible. It comprises 46 books of the Old and 27 books of the New Testament and the Vulgate.
Both the Septuagint and the Hebrew scriptures are included in it. More than one hundred scholars, the best in Hebrew, Greek, and Armaniac scriptures and texts, joined to formulate the original Bible.
Howard Long, a King James follower, initiated the NIV Bible’s formation. He felt the urgent need to prepare a version or translation of the Bible that reflected his thoughts.
It was translated by the committee on biblical translation, which comprised fifteen biblical scholars.
Comparison Table
| Parameters Of Comparison | Catholic Bible | NIV |
|---|---|---|
| Definition | Catholic Bible is the basic, original, and official version of the Bible accepted by the church. | NIV is the English-translated version of the Catholic Bible by Scholars under Howard Long’s leadership. |
| Number of books | A Catholic Bible consists of the 73-book canon recognized and accepted by the Catholic Church, including the deuterocanonical books. | NIV Bible has 39 books in the old testament, and the new testament has 27 books. |
| Apocrypha | Catholic Bible includes the Apocrypha. | NIV Bibles don’t include the Apocrypha. |
| Year of publications | The newest version of the Catholic Bible was published in 2007, following the initial version in 1996 by the Catholic Truth Society. | NIV Bible was published by the former as the international bible society ( Biblica ) in 1973. |
| Languages | It is prevalent in biblical languages like Greek, Hebrew, and Aramaic. | It is the English-translated version of the original Bible. |
What is Catholic Bible?
Catholic Bible comprises the complete 73-book canon that the church accepts. It includes both the old testament and the new testament, which are collectively referred to as deuterocanonical.
The term deuterocanonical was coined to refer to the presence and coexistence of the Old and New Testaments. The Greek Septuagint collection is included in the old testament.
During the period of Jesus Christ, both the Hebrew scriptures and the Septuagint were in use. The apostles used Septuagint.
The new testament books do not include the Hebrew scriptures and consist only of the Septuagint. The Catholic Bible is inclusive of the Vulgate, which is the Latin church’s official translated Bible.
In the old testament, the number of books present is 46, and in the new testament, the number of books present is 27.
The Catholic Bible strictly includes only the texts and scriptures that agree with and are per the canon law. The primary factors differentiating the Catholic Bible and the other Bibles are the number of books and the order.
The Catholic Bible did not change during the Reformation and retained all its original content.
What is NIV?
Howard Long, an engineer working in Seattle under General Electric, was the first to initiate the NIV Bible formation.
Being an arduous follower and devotee of King James, he was fascinated and intrigued by King James’s thoughts and teachings. Initially, no one shared his interests and did not understand his ideas.
Later more than a hundred skilled and talented scholars were carefully picked from the different scriptures to formulate the original Bible. Then it was translated to form the NIV Bible.
The first initiative to begin the translation started in Palos Heights, Illinois, where Howard Long and his slowly acquired group of like-minded people met.
Fifteen Biblical scholars together led to the formation of the Committee of Bible Translation, a self-governing body. They were assigned the task of translating the original version of the Bible into the English language.
However, the publication was under the sponsorship of Biblica. Due to the burgeoning theories and discoveries in the biblical world and the evolving new rules in using the English language, there are many updated versions of the NIV.
The council sincerely commits to providing freshly brewed content by meeting annually to review, edit and add discoveries.
Main Differences Between Catholic Bible and NIV
- A hundred and more scholars formulated Catholic Bible. NIV Bible evolved with the ideas of Howard Long and his followers.
- The Catholic Bible consists of 73 books, including the Vulgate, the old testament, and the new testament. At the same time, the NIV contains only 66 books.
- Apocrypha is included in the Catholic Bible. It is excluded in the NIV bible.
- Catholic Bible is an original version containing Hebrew and the Septuagint scriptures. NIV Bible is an English-translated version.
- Catholic Bibles retain any changes and remain unchanged. The NIV Bible is continuously updated and edited almost every year by the committee to fulfil their motto of providing updated and accurate content. However, they may change from time to time.
Last Updated : 11 June, 2023
I’ve put so much effort writing this blog post to provide value to you. It’ll be very helpful for me, if you consider sharing it on social media or with your friends/family. SHARING IS ♥️
Emma Smith holds an MA degree in English from Irvine Valley College. She has been a Journalist since 2002, writing articles on the English language, Sports, and Law. Read more about me on her bio page.
The thorough comparison and explanations of the Catholic Bible and the NIV contribute to a deeper appreciation of the complexities and nuances within these revered texts.
Absolutely, the meticulous analysis of the differences adds depth to our understanding of the historical and religious significance of these scriptures.
The insightful descriptions and discussions provide a wealth of knowledge about the origins and distinct characteristics of these two versions of the Bible.
The in-depth exploration of the history and components of the Catholic Bible and the NIV offers a fascinating perspective on these sacred texts.
The details provided shed new light on the development and formation of the Catholic Bible and the NIV, enriching our understanding of these scriptures.
The unique origins and translations of the two versions make for an engrossing study of religious literature and interpretation.
It is fascinating to see the evolution and differences between the Catholic Bible and the NIV. The historical context provided is very enlightening.
I find it intriguing to learn about the detailed processes and backgrounds behind the Catholic Bible and the NIV. It creates a deeper understanding of these scriptures.
Yes, the historical background is indeed very interesting and helps to understand the development of these two important versions of the Bible.
The post provides a comprehensive and enlightening examination of the Catholic Bible and the NIV, shedding light on their unique histories and characteristics.
The detailed accounts of the formation and differences between the Catholic Bible and the NIV contribute to a more nuanced understanding of their historical and religious contexts.
Indeed, the historical context and rich details enhance our comprehension of the significance and development of these scriptures.
The comprehensive information about the significance and content of both the Catholic Bible and the NIV is highly educational and thought-provoking.
Indeed, the detailed descriptions of the two versions and their historical backgrounds offer a deeper insight into the world of biblical scriptures.
The differences highlighted between the Catholic Bible and the NIV are crucial to understanding the variations in interpretations and emphasis.
Absolutely, the emphasis on individual interpretation in the NIV compared to the authority of the Church in the Catholic Bible is a significant contrast.
The comparison table provides a clear breakdown of the key differences, making it easier to comprehend the distinctions between the two versions.
The detailed information and thorough comparisons of the Catholic Bible and the NIV offer an illuminating perspective on these revered texts.
The exploration of the differences and historical background provides valuable insights into the complex and fascinating world of biblical scriptures.
The in-depth analysis and historical context provided in the post offer a compelling and informative overview of the Catholic Bible and the NIV.
The comprehensive details and insightful comparisons enhance our knowledge of the distinct attributes and histories of the Catholic Bible and the NIV.
Absolutely, the detailed comparisons and historical explanations deepen our understanding of the development and significance of these religious texts.
The engaging and thorough exploration of the Catholic Bible and the NIV underscores the complexity and historical importance of these revered texts.
Absolutely, the wealth of information and comparisons offers a captivating glimpse into the diverse origins and interpretive aspects of these sacred scriptures.