What do you think?
Rate this book
The Bible is a Catholic Book
Many Protestants call themselves "Bible Christians" - in contrast with Catholics, who ignore the Bible because they have the Church instead. Too many Catholics take this mistaken assumption for granted.
We don't have to anymore, says Jimmy Akin (The Fathers Know Best, A Daily Defense). Instead, we should fully embrace Sacred Scripture: not just as the written word of God but as a thoroughly Catholic work, intimately connected with the Church from the earliest centuries.
In The Bible Is a Catholic Book, Jimmy Akin shows how the Bible cannot exist apart from the Church. In its origins and its formulation, in the truths it contains, in its careful preservation over the centuries and in the prayerful study and elucidation of its mysteries, Scripture is inseparable from Catholicism. This is fitting, since both come from God for our salvation.
And even non-Catholics will appreciate the clear and charitable way that Jimmy explains how the early Church gave us the Bible and how the Church to this day reveres and obeys it.
If you re a Catholic who sometimes gets intimidated by the Bible, The Bible Is a Catholic Book will help you better understand and take pride in this gift that God gave the world through the Church. We are the original Bible Christians!
We don't have to anymore, says Jimmy Akin (The Fathers Know Best, A Daily Defense). Instead, we should fully embrace Sacred Scripture: not just as the written word of God but as a thoroughly Catholic work, intimately connected with the Church from the earliest centuries.
In The Bible Is a Catholic Book, Jimmy Akin shows how the Bible cannot exist apart from the Church. In its origins and its formulation, in the truths it contains, in its careful preservation over the centuries and in the prayerful study and elucidation of its mysteries, Scripture is inseparable from Catholicism. This is fitting, since both come from God for our salvation.
And even non-Catholics will appreciate the clear and charitable way that Jimmy explains how the early Church gave us the Bible and how the Church to this day reveres and obeys it.
If you re a Catholic who sometimes gets intimidated by the Bible, The Bible Is a Catholic Book will help you better understand and take pride in this gift that God gave the world through the Church. We are the original Bible Christians!
181 pages, Paperback
Published December 1, 2019
123 people are currently reading
552 people want to read
About the author
Jimmy Akin
47 books167 followersJimmy Akin (b. 1965) was born in Texas, grew up nominally Protestant, but at age 20 experienced a profound conversion to Christ. Planning on becoming a Protestant pastor or seminary professor, he started an intensive study of the Bible. But the more he immersed himself in Scripture the more he found to support the Catholic faith. Eventually, he was compelled in conscience to enter the Catholic Church, which he did in 1992. His conversion story, "A Triumph and a Tragedy," is published in Surprised by Truth. Besides being an author, Jimmy is a Senior Apologist at Catholic Answers, a contributing editor to This Rock magazine, and a weekly guest on "Catholic Answers Live."
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 46 reviews
October 8, 2019
Time to join the Catholic Church
The Bible came from the Catholic Church. Not from the 3500 Protestant Churches in America. We believe in Jesus Christ, the son of God.
The Bible came from the Catholic Church. Not from the 3500 Protestant Churches in America. We believe in Jesus Christ, the son of God.
June 20, 2020
Akin delivers a beautifully written walk through of biblical history and the preservation of the Scriptures over time. Great read on the origins of the Bible as we know it today.
January 20, 2020
Listened to the audiobook. I chose to listen to this because I was not very knowledgeable about the deuterocanonical books and their history. Also, I knew Jimmy Akin from Catholic Answers and appreciate his charitable and clear explanations. I was pleasantly surprised to learn more about publishing in the first century and the timeline and author motivations of specific books. Also, this book gave me a better grasp of the timeline of the entire Bible.
I docked one star because Akin did not name some of his sources besides "scholars" but I wonder if I just did not see footnotes or references because I of the format I consumed the book (again, audio).
I docked one star because Akin did not name some of his sources besides "scholars" but I wonder if I just did not see footnotes or references because I of the format I consumed the book (again, audio).
May 11, 2020
This book is so nice it gives details of the historical background of how the bible we know now came about.
January 25, 2022
Well researched and well written so that it's easy to follow. I wish my protestant family members would read this with a mind open to truth.
February 9, 2025
Excellent work from jimmy. Clear concise with tons of citations. I would recommend this to everyone interested in church history and Bible history!
July 21, 2020
I chose to give this book 5 stars for many reasons.
The first and foremost point is that it was informative. VERY informative. For someone striving to understand the Holy Bible on a deeper level, this would be a perfect read. However, Akin's writing style and choice of words makes it relatively easy to read.
Another reason why I loved this book is that fact that, while it is informative, it also has a sense of urgency that keeps you going. His writing style was spot on, and he interweaved small sections of stories throughout the book, such as the Parable of the Sower, which added some more intrigue. I felt as if I was bettering my knowledge of the Bible as well as enjoying myself, which is always a good thing!
I recommend this book to anyone who is striving to understand the concept that yes, in fact, the Bible is a Catholic book!
The first and foremost point is that it was informative. VERY informative. For someone striving to understand the Holy Bible on a deeper level, this would be a perfect read. However, Akin's writing style and choice of words makes it relatively easy to read.
Another reason why I loved this book is that fact that, while it is informative, it also has a sense of urgency that keeps you going. His writing style was spot on, and he interweaved small sections of stories throughout the book, such as the Parable of the Sower, which added some more intrigue. I felt as if I was bettering my knowledge of the Bible as well as enjoying myself, which is always a good thing!
I recommend this book to anyone who is striving to understand the concept that yes, in fact, the Bible is a Catholic book!
August 14, 2022
I expected the entire book to outline what only the last chapter discussed - slightly disappointing :(
“From the passages dealing with Jesus’ Church, we can learn several things:
He is establishing a single church. Jesus speaks of “my Church,” not “my churches” (Matthew 16:18).
This Church will never pass out of existence, for “the power of death shall not prevail against it” (Matthew 16:18).
It will be built in a special way on Peter, who has a unique role among the other apostles (Matthew 16:18-19; Luke 22:31-32; John 21:15).
Its leaders will have the power to bind and loose - that is, to make divinely backed rules for the community - and to include or exclude members (Matthew 16:19; 18:17-18).
This means that when we look for Jesus’ Church today, it must have these characteristics.”
“From the passages dealing with Jesus’ Church, we can learn several things:
He is establishing a single church. Jesus speaks of “my Church,” not “my churches” (Matthew 16:18).
This Church will never pass out of existence, for “the power of death shall not prevail against it” (Matthew 16:18).
It will be built in a special way on Peter, who has a unique role among the other apostles (Matthew 16:18-19; Luke 22:31-32; John 21:15).
Its leaders will have the power to bind and loose - that is, to make divinely backed rules for the community - and to include or exclude members (Matthew 16:19; 18:17-18).
This means that when we look for Jesus’ Church today, it must have these characteristics.”
November 22, 2021
You will really enjoy this book if you are looking for a broad skim over the development of Scripture from a Catholic perspective. Unfortunately, I was seeking a more thorough treatment of these issues and more meaningful engagement with Protestant objections. Given this, the book is insufficiently persuasive, at least on its own, for making the case to non-Catholics that the Bible is a Catholic Book.
In typical Jimmy fashion, the book is articulately written and accessible, while its structure is really interesting and helpful. He goes through the relevant issues chronologically, starting from the creation story and the first reference to God's Word and ending with the post-apostolic era. I felt the coverage was a bit uneven, with a relatively light treatment on issues such as the Church's authority to interpret the scripture alongside a much more substantial discussion of issues that are less relevant for the book's premise, such as the dating and authorship of each book of the bible. That said, the material outlining the costly and arduous process of preparing the scriptures was super interesting!
Overall, the book was entertaining and I expect Catholic readers will find the book really beneficial. But I suspect there are other books discussing Catholic perspectives on Scripture that non-Catholics will find more helpful.
In typical Jimmy fashion, the book is articulately written and accessible, while its structure is really interesting and helpful. He goes through the relevant issues chronologically, starting from the creation story and the first reference to God's Word and ending with the post-apostolic era. I felt the coverage was a bit uneven, with a relatively light treatment on issues such as the Church's authority to interpret the scripture alongside a much more substantial discussion of issues that are less relevant for the book's premise, such as the dating and authorship of each book of the bible. That said, the material outlining the costly and arduous process of preparing the scriptures was super interesting!
Overall, the book was entertaining and I expect Catholic readers will find the book really beneficial. But I suspect there are other books discussing Catholic perspectives on Scripture that non-Catholics will find more helpful.
January 2, 2025
The Bible didn’t come to us on a cloud. It took hundreds of years from the time of the apostles to the 4th century to decide on a full Old and New Testament canon; it required The Holy Spirit guiding Tradition and the Magisterium.
Jimmy Akin shows that the Old Testament wasn’t decided at the time of Christ. There were divisions among Jews as to what books belonged in the Bible. We do know that the Greek Septuagint was used in over 90% of the New Testament, which included the deuterocanonical books (1&2 Maccabees, Tobit, Judith, Baruch, Wisdom, and Sirach). There are also multiple allusions to the deutrocanonical books in the New Testament, which is problematic to the Protestant position of rejecting them(Matthew 6:12 alludes to Sirach 28:1-5)
Regarding the New Testament, Jimmy shows how the Church handled contested books becoming part of the New Testament canon.
The full canon of scripture (The Catholic Bible) was reaffirmed four times and it wasn’t until Martin Luther that the Deutrocanonical books were removed(and he seemed to want to remove James, Jude, Hebrews and Revelation from The New Testament).
In short, you can’t have the Bible without Tradition and the Magisterium. You can’t have The Bible without The Catholic Church.
Overall, an excellent book.
Jimmy Akin shows that the Old Testament wasn’t decided at the time of Christ. There were divisions among Jews as to what books belonged in the Bible. We do know that the Greek Septuagint was used in over 90% of the New Testament, which included the deuterocanonical books (1&2 Maccabees, Tobit, Judith, Baruch, Wisdom, and Sirach). There are also multiple allusions to the deutrocanonical books in the New Testament, which is problematic to the Protestant position of rejecting them(Matthew 6:12 alludes to Sirach 28:1-5)
Regarding the New Testament, Jimmy shows how the Church handled contested books becoming part of the New Testament canon.
The full canon of scripture (The Catholic Bible) was reaffirmed four times and it wasn’t until Martin Luther that the Deutrocanonical books were removed(and he seemed to want to remove James, Jude, Hebrews and Revelation from The New Testament).
In short, you can’t have the Bible without Tradition and the Magisterium. You can’t have The Bible without The Catholic Church.
Overall, an excellent book.
August 20, 2024
I found this book to be very eye-opening to my Protestant beliefs about the Bible. However, it was surprising to find that book didn't just cover the process of deciding what is and is not Scripture. Akin spends a good deal of the book informing the reader how and when the different books of the Bible were written before he gets to how the Catholic church formed the Bible. He also discussed how and why different Protestants removed parts of the Bible. While there is a very visible bias against Protestants, it is not mean or crude. It's just there, and so I think many Protestants I know would reject everything Akin has to say based on that bias. Nonetheless, Akin has given me a lot to think about concerning Scripture and its relationship to the Church.
August 11, 2023
Let’s just put those pesky deuterocanonical books in an appendix cause I don’t like what they say. Then eventually people will start calling them the apocryphal books and not read them or include them at all in new translations. Let’s do that to James because it goes against my theology and Revelation because it is too strange.. too far?
I really want to like Martin Luther but all that he did above and adding the word “alone” to Roman’s 3:28 to make it say “faith alone” really grinds my gears.
How is it that for 1500 years the Church read those books as scripture and then Luther comes along and changes it. Did God change his mind? Nay, God does not change… ever.
Ad Traditionem
I really want to like Martin Luther but all that he did above and adding the word “alone” to Roman’s 3:28 to make it say “faith alone” really grinds my gears.
How is it that for 1500 years the Church read those books as scripture and then Luther comes along and changes it. Did God change his mind? Nay, God does not change… ever.
Ad Traditionem
June 23, 2024
Jimmy Akin is a great speaker and apologist but I felt this book was way to broad an overview, not to mention more focused on the development of scripture vs something more of an apologetic work like I expected with the title. It wasn’t till the last quarter of the book that he began discussing that topic, and having just gone through Brant Pitre’s “the Case for Jesus” where he goes in depth on the development and arguments for or against the veracity of scripture, it left this book feeling very light and unfocused. I enjoyed the last bit of apologetics about the Reformation, but rather than be the main focus of the book it felt like an afterthought at the end.
March 30, 2024
Jimmy Akin is one of the most interesting people I follow, his knowledge is amazing. In this book, he explains how the early church gave us the bible. He discusses the Jewish traditions and uses them to illuminate the Old and New Testaments. His of Greek and Hebrew words and what they meant at the time the bible was written. He shows the source of Jesus Quotations. This book is enlightening and eye opening. I am very thankful that Jimmy takes time to impart his vast knowledge. I would recommend this book for anyone who is interested in the bibles history.
January 15, 2021
Wonderful history of the Bible
This is an excellently detailed account of the origins of the Bible. From its beginning in oral tradition to the global access of the most read book in human history. Mr. Akins clearly shows the Bible's Catholic roots and its undeniable connection to the Catholic church today. A must read for anyone wanting to know the truth behind the Bible's beginnings and its place in today's world.
This is an excellently detailed account of the origins of the Bible. From its beginning in oral tradition to the global access of the most read book in human history. Mr. Akins clearly shows the Bible's Catholic roots and its undeniable connection to the Catholic church today. A must read for anyone wanting to know the truth behind the Bible's beginnings and its place in today's world.
December 29, 2022
A very informative book detailing how the Word of God has been handed down through the generations. We are reminded of the Monks copying entire works of Scripture out by hand in their beautiful calligraphy and adding gold to the illustrations. We are reminded how Sacred our Scriptures are and why we should cherish them and immerse ourselves in them. Thank you, Jimmy Akin, for sharing your love of Scripture and detailing the path of God's Word to our homes.
December 5, 2023
Jimmy Akin's writing style is beautifully simple and highly engaging.
Although the book begins a bit slowly by delving into the Bible's origins before the existence of the New Testament, it skillfully guides readers through the historical journey, culminating in the version we have today.
Overall, an excellent book.
It’s impressive how much Christianity has influenced the world even in the way we display books.
Although the book begins a bit slowly by delving into the Bible's origins before the existence of the New Testament, it skillfully guides readers through the historical journey, culminating in the version we have today.
Overall, an excellent book.
It’s impressive how much Christianity has influenced the world even in the way we display books.
November 10, 2024
Second book gifted by my parish during my OCIA. I hadn’t known Jimmy Akin prior to reading the book, but I’ll keep a closer look on his content from now on for he is clearly very knowledgeable. As the title suggests, the book gives apologetics as to why and how the Bible was formed by the Catholic Church. It can be tough at times to grasp all the history, dates and names but it is still beginner friendly.
June 24, 2021
This is so much more than a defense of the deuterocanonical books. It goes into a history of written script, a history of how judaism was passed down before the time of Moses, and on into the middle ages describing how monks honored the word of God so much that covered the pages in gold to glorify God.
February 14, 2022
A good and thorough investigation (I didn't expect to explore the frontiers of written language), but, were I still a Protestant, I would find that it was missing a little extra something to clinch its argument.
August 9, 2024
An eye-opening and meticulously researched book on the history of the Bible. Every Christian should read this book as I think so many have no idea how the Bible came to be. This book lays it out clearly and succulently in Jimmy Akins charitable and clear teaching style. This book dispels many myths perpetuated by Protestants and clearly shows that the Bible is a Catholic book.
September 22, 2024
Clear and concise
Jimmy is excellent as always; compassionate handling of Sola Scriptura and the Protestant views on biblical ownership. A must read if you have any questions about the Bible’s origins or timeline
Jimmy is excellent as always; compassionate handling of Sola Scriptura and the Protestant views on biblical ownership. A must read if you have any questions about the Bible’s origins or timeline
October 10, 2024
The beginning and end show great proof for the main point of the Bible being Catholic the middle goes heavy into historical facts that I believe were just fun facts. Altogether it was a good book with a great purpose.
June 13, 2020
This book taught me a lot about the history and formation of the books that make up the Bible and put forth a strong defense against Protestant claim of “sola scriptura.”
May 27, 2021
The Bible is a difficult book to read. At the end of this book is a timeline, that I think may help me in understanding the Bible.
June 9, 2021
A book full of information that I devoured. Very well written and researched. I will have to read more books by Akin.
September 12, 2021
Great learning about the history of the Bible and how it was canonized, preserved, protected, and handed on by the Church throughout centuries.
September 15, 2023
Best way to get your foot in the door of biblical history. Not too deep for a first encounter
March 13, 2024
Mar 2024. Simple, clear, accessible.
August 11, 2024
"The Bible is a Catholic Book" by Jimmy Akin goes step-by-step through the Bible and explains, in Jimmy's logical and factual style, the languages and accompanying cultural developments to explain how the 'book' we refer to as 'The Bible' was developed. This book is not an explanation of the contents The Bible but a historical study of what we know, and don't know, about how The Bible evolved. Filled with facts and steeped with footnotes and professional references, the potential drawback to "The Bible is a Catholic Book" is the underlying assumption of some basic knowledge that a non-Christian, or for that matter, some Protestants, or even Catholics may not possess. With this consideration, even though some starting points may be a leap for the uninformed, in Jimmy's humble and patient style he lays out a clear and concise path from the beginning to the current forms of the documents we call 'The Bible'. [4/5]
Displaying 1 - 30 of 46 reviews