Why I Am Catholic: Which Came First: The Church or the Bible?

 I am Catholic because my faith is rooted not in a Bible-based church, but in a Church-based Bible. The Church existed before the Bible was compiled; it was the Church that authored, safeguarded, and canonized the Scriptures. The Bible is the product of the Church, written within the Church, and for the Church.

Let’s delve into the details to uncover the origins and history of the Bible, exploring which came first and how it all began...

Which Came First: The Church or the Bible?

The Early Church

The Church predates the Christian Bible as we know it today. The establishment of the Christian Church began with the ministry of Jesus Christ and was solidified with the Pentecost, when the Holy Spirit descended upon the apostles, empowering them to spread Jesus' teachings. This event, described in the Acts of the Apostles, marks the birth of the Church. The early Christians relied on oral tradition and the teachings of the apostles to guide their faith and practices.

The Formation of the New Testament

The New Testament, which documents the life and teachings of Jesus Christ and the early Church, was written over several decades in the first century AD. The earliest texts are believed to be the letters of Paul, written around 50 AD, while the Gospels and other writings followed, with the Book of Revelation being one of the last, composed towards the end of the first century.

• Oral Tradition: Before these texts were written, the teachings and events of Jesus’ life were transmitted orally by the apostles and other eyewitnesses.
• Early Writings: The letters of Paul and other apostolic writings were circulated among early Christian communities to instruct and encourage them in the faith.

The Role of the Church in Canonization

The Church played a crucial role in recognizing and canonizing the Scriptures. By the end of the first century, various Christian writings were in circulation, but it took several centuries for the Church to formally recognize the canon of the New Testament.

• Councils and Synods: As mentioned earlier, councils such as those at Rome, Hippo, and Carthage in the late 4th century were instrumental in affirming the canon.
• Criteria for Canonization: The Church established criteria to determine which writings were inspired and authoritative, including apostolic origin, consistent usage in worship, and conformity to orthodox doctrine.

The Old Testament

The Old Testament, or Hebrew Scriptures, was already in existence and widely used by Jews before the establishment of the Christian Church. Early Christians adopted these texts, particularly the Septuagint, a Greek translation of the Hebrew Scriptures, which included additional books later termed as deuterocanonical.

Conclusion

The Church came first, with its foundation laid by Jesus Christ and the apostles. The Christian Bible, specifically the New Testament, was written by members of the early Church and later compiled and canonized by the Church over several centuries. The Church’s authority and tradition played a pivotal role in recognizing and preserving the Scriptures, ensuring that they faithfully conveyed the teachings of Christ and the apostles. Thus, while the Old Testament existed prior to the Church, the New Testament and the Bible as a whole were outcomes of the Church's early community and doctrinal development.

The History of the Christian Bible

Early Christian Scriptures

The history of the Christian Bible is a complex and fascinating journey that spans centuries. The Bible, as we know it today, was not always accepted in its present form by all Christians. Instead, it underwent a long process of compilation and canonization, primarily influenced by the Roman Catholic Church and the Eastern Orthodox Church.

The Old Testament

The Old Testament, or Hebrew Scriptures, was already in existence before the advent of Christianity. These texts were sacred to the Jewish faith and included the Torah (Pentateuch), the Prophets (Nevi'im), and the Writings (Ketuvim). Early Christians adopted the Septuagint, a Greek translation of the Hebrew Scriptures, which included books not found in the Hebrew Bible, such as the Deuterocanonical books.

The New Testament

The New Testament, which comprises the Gospels, Acts of the Apostles, Epistles, and the Book of Revelation, took shape over several centuries. Early Christian communities used various texts for teaching and worship, but there was no universally accepted New Testament canon in the first few centuries of the Church.

The Role of the Catholic and Eastern Orthodox Churches

• Catholic Church: The process of canonization began to take a more defined shape by the late 4th century. In 382 AD, the Council of Rome, under Pope Damasus I, listed the books of the New Testament, which closely resemble the current canon. This was further confirmed by the Synod of Hippo in 393 AD and the Councils of Carthage in 397 and 419 AD. These councils, comprising bishops of the early Church, played a crucial role in affirming the canonical texts.

• Eastern Orthodox Church: The Eastern Orthodox Church also had a significant role in the canonization process. The local synods and the Church Fathers, such as Athanasius of Alexandria, who provided a list of canonical books in his Festal Letter of 367 AD, influenced the development of the New Testament canon. The Eastern Orthodox Church’s canon includes additional texts not found in the Roman Catholic canon, reflecting its distinct tradition and theological perspectives.

Factors Influencing Canonization

The criteria for canonization included apostolic origin, consistent use in liturgy, and alignment with orthodox teaching. The Church sought to preserve authentic teachings and ensure that the Scriptures reflected the true faith handed down from the apostles.

Notable Figures and Councils

Several key figures and councils were instrumental in shaping the Bible's canon:

• Church Fathers: St. Irenaeus, St. Augustine, and St. Jerome were influential in the canonization process. St. Jerome's translation of the Bible into Latin, known as the Vulgate, became the authoritative text for the Western Church.

• Councils: The Council of Nicaea (325 AD) and subsequent councils did not directly canonize the Bible but addressed various theological issues that indirectly influenced the canonization process.

The Finalized Canon

By the 5th century, the canon of the New Testament was largely settled in the Western Church, consisting of 27 books. The Eastern Orthodox Church's canon was similarly defined but included additional texts, such as the Maccabees and other deuterocanonical books.

Protestant Reformation and the Canon

The Protestant Reformation in the 16th century led to further debates over the canon. Reformers like Martin Luther challenged the inclusion of the Deuterocanonical books, resulting in the Protestant Bible, which excludes these texts and adheres more closely to the Hebrew Bible for the Old Testament.

Conclusion

The Christian Bible, as we know it today, was not always universally accepted in its present form. The Roman Catholic Church and the Eastern Orthodox Church played pivotal roles in the compilation and canonization of the Scriptures. This process was marked by careful discernment, theological debates, and the influence of key councils and Church Fathers. The Bible's canon reflects a rich history of faith and tradition, ensuring that the sacred texts align with the teachings handed down from the apostles.

The claim that the Catholic Church forbade people from reading the Bible is often misunderstood and requires context.

Historical Context

1. Vernacular Translations and Literacy: For much of history, the majority of people were illiterate, and the Bible was primarily available in Latin, the language of the educated elite in Western Europe. The Church did not universally prohibit Bible reading, but access was limited by practical considerations like language and literacy. Public readings of Scripture in church services, in Latin, were common, and clergy provided explanations through sermons.

2. Condemnation of Unauthorized Translations: The Church did restrict certain vernacular translations of the Bible, especially during the medieval period, because some translations were associated with heretical movements that promoted interpretations contrary to Church teaching. The Church was concerned about the potential for misinterpretation without proper guidance. For example, in 1229, the Council of Toulouse forbade laypeople from owning or reading vernacular translations of the Bible that were not approved by the Church.

3. The Protestant Reformation: During the Reformation, the issue of Bible access became more prominent. Reformers like Martin Luther emphasized direct access to Scripture, which led to a surge in vernacular translations. The Catholic Church responded by emphasizing the importance of reading the Bible within the context of Church tradition and teaching to prevent doctrinal errors. The Council of Trent (1545-1563) reaffirmed this, ensuring that translations were accurate and aligned with Catholic doctrine.

4. Promoting Bible Reading: In the modern era, especially after the Second Vatican Council (1962-1965), the Catholic Church has actively encouraged the faithful to read the Bible. The Council called for a renewal in Scripture studies and promoted the Bible's translation into vernacular languages approved by the Church, making Scripture more accessible to Catholics worldwide.

Conclusion

While there were periods when the Catholic Church restricted access to unauthorized translations of the Bible, it was not a blanket prohibition on reading Scripture. The restrictions were largely motivated by concerns over incorrect interpretations that could lead to heresy. Today, the Catholic Church strongly encourages Bible reading, with guidance from Church tradition and teaching.