Why do Catholic Clergy forbid the Catholic people to translate the Word of God themselves? when we can through

Question

help of the Holy Spirit's help if we seek sincerely God through his begotten son Jesus Christ.

Answer 1

In Acts 8:27-39, Philip asks the Ethiopian reading the prophet Isaiah, "Do you understand what you are reading?" The Ethiopian replied, "How can I, unless someone instructs me?"

The original readers of the Epistles also knew Greek and all the slang and idioms used in their time. They knew (and lived) the culture, politics, and habits of everyday life of the first century A.D.

If I knew the original languages in which the Bible were written, namely Hebrew, Greek, and a little Aramaic, archeology, and theology as well as you do then maybe I would not need the Church to help me.

On a practical note, being able to keep an eye on the big picture has kept the Catholic Church together for almost 2,000 years with over 1.1 billion living believers.

Churches that interpret the Bible any way they wish keep splintering off each other to the point that there are now well over 10,000 non-Catholic Christian denominations.

Jesus told the 72 disciples who were being sent out to teach the people about Jesus, "Whoever listens to you listens to me. Whoever rejects you rejects me. And whoever rejects me rejects the one who sent me." (Luke 10:16)

With love in Christ.

Answer 2

Forbidding people from translating the Word of God? Translate? Do you mean "read" instead of translate? If so, then you are mistaken to say that the Church's clergy forbids it. Pre-Vatican II, things were different, the parishoners were discouraged from reading the Bible. However, Post-Vatican II, people are ENCOURAGED to read the Bible.

I was a very devout Catholic from 1987 - 2000. In those 13 years being very involved in church, never once did I ever hear a priest discourage the people from reading the Bible. In fact, they would ENCOURAGE it. Not only that, the missalettes listed Daily Readings for people. In word and in writing, they encouraged Bible reading.

I have a Catholic Bible, and inside, it even says that Pope John Paul II encourages ALL to read the Bible.

Answer 3

If what you said was true, there would not be 33,000 different Christian denominations interpreting Christians 33,000 different ways.

Clearly, the Holy Spirit is NOT revealing the interpretation of Scripture the way you think He should be.

It is the laity's obligation to read the Scriptures, the Church interprets the Scriptures.

If you truly believe God is the One Divine Author of Scripture, there can only be One Divine Interpretation, not 33,000. The One Way to get that One Interpretation, is through His One Church.

You might think the Church is arrogant to take that position, but aren't you advocating the same position for yourself in your question? Who's really being arrogant here?

Answer 4

I think you mean interpret. Bibles are already translated.

The Catholic church does not forbid people from interpretation.

What it does watch out for is launching your own religion based on some nugget of info you misinterpreted from the bible. There are 10 new Protestant Christian sects launched every year due to misinterpretations of the bible. That is not the work of the Holy Spirit. Splintering God's people is the work of the devil.

Answer 5

It is actually traditional in Abrahamicism to be expected to read the holy books in their original language. Of the three Abrahamic faith groups, only Christians are so lazy as to allow people to read these books in translation, which, as is so often demonstrated here, causes things to appear in the books that aren't there. Jews and Muslims have to learn Hebrew and Arabic to be considered knowledgable in their faith.

Most Christians who aren't Catholic use a book that is a translation of the Vulgate (such as the King James.) reading the Vulgate in Latin is removing one level of translation.

And, for the record, people have no issue with translation of the vulgate PERSONALLY, the problem would be if I translated it for YOU.

I am not a Catholic, but I am a student of Ancient Mediterranean cultures, including Latin and Greek Languages.

Answer 6

Pastor Billy says: sounds to me like your congregation lacks trust no wonder Protestantism keeps sub-dividing. If the Holy Spirit was leading all in Protestantism and the "Just me and the bible" crowd than why are there so many disagreements when it comes to interpretation of bible outside of Catholicism?

I would figure your methodology would fix that but it doesn't.

Let me ask you another question, if you are part of the 2000 year old Church Jesus created why do you need to reinvent the wheel again? I guess it must be that trust factor again.

Listen brother it is written that we are not to lean unto our own private interpretation of scripture. (1Peter or 2Peter). Your view is actually anti-bible not pro.

goto http://www.biblechristiansociety.com/

and download http://www.biblechristiansociety.com/2min_apologetics.php?id=8

Answer 7

Catholics are encouraged 'not to interpret' the bible but to read it thoughtfully allowing the Holy Spirit to inspire you.

I think many Catholics are misinformed about this issue.

“since God speaks in Sacred Scripture through people in human fashion, the interpreter of Sacred Scripture, in order to see clearly what God wanted to communicate to us, should carefully investigate what meaning the sacred writers really intended, and what God wanted to manifest by means of their words.” Vatican II

Answer 8

Are you educated about historical context, literary style, or linguistics? Do you realize how many different denominations and religious disputes have originated in the exact way you describe ? Do you also ask a pastor to explain things to you to make sure you clearly understand the meaning? Do you also ask you pastor where certain doctrines came from? We believe in guidance from the Spirit. Please don't think we do not. We also believe in not making foolish errors. Peace be with you.

Answer 9

.You mean interpret the bible. Ask yourself why is their a new protestant denomination being born everyday? Everyone interprets the bible themselves some will interpret them in ways that are heretical, but since the church is one holy apostolic and holy we have one interpretation of the bible.

Answer 10

That's probably the biggest 'grudge' I have against my Catholic beginnings. I've heard my calling for a long time, but refused it because of my early belief of not being worthy to receive it. It really messed with my head, ya know.