Is the good news bible a catholic bible

The Good News Bible, also known as the Good News Translation (GNT), is a translation of the Bible that was originally published by the American Bible Society in 1976. While it is a Protestant Bible, it is not a Catholic Bible in the classical sense.

Here's why:

  1. Translation: The Good News Bible is a translation of the Bible, not a revision of an existing Catholic Bible. It was translated directly from the original languages (Hebrew, Greek, and Aramaic) into English, whereas Catholic Bibles are often based on earlier translations, such as the Latin Vulgate.
  2. Inclusion of apocryphal books: The Good News Bible does not include the Apocrypha, also known as the Deuterocanonical books, which are considered part of the Catholic and Eastern Orthodox canons. These books are not recognized as authoritative by Protestant denominations.
  3. Textual basis: The Good News Bible is based on the Masoretic Text (MT) of the Hebrew Bible and the Greek text of the New Testament, which are the primary texts used by Protestant scholars. Catholic Bibles, on the other hand, often include additional texts, such as the Septuagint (LXX), which is an older Greek translation of the Hebrew Bible.
  4. Catholic doctrine: The Good News Bible does not include Catholic-specific teachings, such as the doctrine of purgatory, indulgences, or the veneration of saints. It presents the Bible in a more straightforward, literal translation, without the interpretive notes and commentary that are typical of Catholic Bibles.

In summary, while the Good News Bible is a valuable and accessible translation of the Bible, it is not a Catholic Bible in the classical sense. It is a Protestant Bible that reflects the theological and textual traditions of Protestantism.