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8). CTS Bible (2007): The CTS must be congratulated on producing a bible utilising the same translations as found in the liturgy. However, it is disappointing that responsibility for producing the notes was handed to a person promoting the Markan Priority theory. His hand is to be seen throughout and we do not have the space here to correct his endemic influence. However, this Bible does highlight the confusion the Markan Priority theory has brought into the Catholic community.

1. At the front of this Bible a resume is provided of Dei Verbum. It is interesting to compare the wording of sections 7 and 18, with the Markan Priority teachings on pages 1702 and 1703.

Sections 7 and 18 both state that the Gospels were written by the Apostles
and apostolic men. (Another translation gives: Apostles and men associated with them).

In a footnote to section 18 the Council directs us to the words of Irenaeus where he states that Matthew wrote the first Gospel.

The teaching of the bishops was very clear and, by repeating it in two sections, they indicated how much importance was to be given to it.

Yet, on page 1702 of this CTS Bible, the note provider writes that the Apostles
or members of apostolic communities wrote the Gospels. He leaves open the possibility that Apostles didn't write any of the Gospels.

2. On page 1703 we read: "St. Augustine seems to have been responsible for putting the gospel of Matthew first in the order of the four gospels". St. Augustine lived in the forth century.

The note provider ignores the earlier copious evidence provided by Papius, Justin the Martyr, Irenaeus, The Moratorium Fragment, Clement of Alexandria, Tertullian, Origen, The Anti-Marcionite Prologues, Eusebius, St. Jerome, the old Latin versions and the witness of the Eastern liturgies. He also ignores Theophilus and Polycrates who wrote of John the Apostle writing one of the Gospels.

We must hope that, if a new edition is produced, the notes will be in accordance
with Dei Verbum and the unanimous evidence of the ancient historians.

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Version: 3rd July 2008




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