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Names for specific parts, groupings, or passages of the Bible are capitalized when those names have come to be used commonly as the equivalents of titles in theological and devotional writing. (Note that in this instance The Christian Writer’s Manual of Style departs from CMS, which lowercases most parts, groupings, and passages of the Bible. The CMS alternative is recommended, however, for books intended for a broad or secular readership. The capitalized system is best used when a solely Christian audience is intended.) Judgment must be exercised in determining whether a name is generic or used as the equivalent of a title. For instance: David’s psalms, but the Davidic Psalms. When in doubt, lowercase:
Accession Psalms
New Testament
General Epistles
Olivet Discourse
Gospels
Pentateuch
Historical Books
Poetical Books
Lord’s Prayer
Synoptic Gospels
Love Chapter
Upper Room Discourse
Minor Prophets
Wisdom Literature
the Ten Commandments but the first commandment
the Gospel According to Matthew [RSV] but Matthew’s gospel
the Gospels but the four gospels
the Epistle of Paul to the Romans [MLB] but Paul’s Roman epistle
the Book of Jeremiah [RSV] but Jeremiah’s book of prophecies
Many different rules have been suggested for the capitalization of the word gospel, most of which are confusing and contradictory. This manual, therefore, advises that the word gospel be lowercased in all contexts and for all uses except when contained in an actual title (“The Gospel According to Saint Matthew” [KJV]), when used as a collective title for the four canonical gospels as a whole (“the Gospels”), or, obviously, in headings and titles. This style is consistent with the King James Version, the New International Version, and Today’s New International Version, and it will also keep authors, editors, and readers from having to split hairs over the different shades of meaning the word can have in particular contexts.