preacher, that they are resorting back to what the early Christians of the Catholic church fought so hard to achieve in the first place? The early Christians of the Catholic church wanted to have the Bible to read for themselves. We have the priviledge of having the Bible to read today, but we don't take advantage of it. Why?
2007-04-19 17:26:07 · 15 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Yes, Jim Jones is a perfect example of what can happen when a follower trusts only the leader of the church and does not have his own personal relationship with God and study of the bible apart from that leader. This is not an indictment against church leaders, simply an example of fact.
2007-04-19 17:31:42 · answer #1 · answered by Mr. E 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
the catholic church is the only reason anyone today has a bible. the preserved through the early persecutions and many were even martyred for the church. the bible is a catholic book. when the bible was first compiled by the church not everyone in those days was able to read the bible or any other books for that matter,illiteracy was a big problem for someone to have a bible and interpret it. plus not every christian spoke the origional language(s) of the bible. secondly the texts were hand written by scribes,the bible to write was time consumming to compile adn not as affordable as it is today. there are many reasons why the bible was not in every home back in those days and especially the need for the interpretation of the church. the catholic church came first not the other way around. for more reading this site has many articles that go into more details regarding your question and the subsequent answers.
www.catholiceducation.org
hope i didn't offend anyone and i think you will find the web site very beneficial even if you don't agree with everything in it.
2007-04-19 17:47:35 · answer #2 · answered by fenian1916 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
nicely, early Christians did no longer have Bibles. It took quite a few centuries of prayer, schollarsjhip, and debate to choose the Bible as all of us recognize it as we talk. there have been extremely some writings round a the time claiming to be inspired or holy. Many were pretend and/or heretical, it truly is why they don't seem to be protected contained in the Bible. (The "Gnositc Gospels" are an celebration of this.) proper interpretation of the Bible could position self assurance in the Bible, yet also on expertise and custom. Catholics do not examine the Bible as a lot as Protestants because the Reformation and the 30 Years warfare left a nasty style of their mouths, in basic terms as many Protestants dislike statues of the Saints and the Virgin Mary on a similar time as we talk. both examples are circumstances of over reactions which have solidified into custom. also, the Catholics have a a lot richer provide and historic previous of doctrine on themes. in the adventure that they have a question they do no longer could bypass hunt via the Bible in hopes that there would nicely be a verse that could contact on something it truly is on the point of the question they have. they could bypass on to the catachesim and seem up what the Church teaches on a particular question. they do no longer could reinvent the wheel each and anytime they have an ethical dilema, they could seem and observe what the saints or the docs of the church or the pope has written on the issue.
2016-12-04 08:33:48 · answer #3 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I agree with you but I would have to take it a couple steps further.
Not only do they rely on other's interpretations, They do so out of context.
The Bible is not this complex puzzle to be solved only by the most intelligent and wise people. Only man makes it complicated.
Jesus speaks in parables in order to make things very clear.
Have you ever read the Bible from cover to cover like you would a normal book. I have and was very surprised and was left wondering where all these division have developed with the church.
When it comes down to it, we all really know what's right and wrong. I feel sometimes people use the Bible to justify their wrongs rather than seek the truth.
I know of one way to put all doubt to rest.
Ask God when you have any doubt about anything. He answers in the most amazing ways.
I don't like to discount the Bible but it's gotten to point where people are abusing it more than using it.
Seek the maker.... not the manual!
2007-04-19 17:37:56 · answer #4 · answered by backpackwayne 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It's true that the Protestant arm of the Christian church encourages spiritual inquiry much more than the Catholic branch does.
But as to why many churchgoers don't read it, that's a very good question.
I think that, when they only listen to their preacher, its easy for them to think the Bible only consists of the passages that are convenient for their particular faith.
If they actually READ the Bible, they'd see it in all its appalling glory -- slavery being permitted, genocide ordered by God, ridiculous "laws" of Leviticus which even the most ultra-orthodox of modern Jews can't follow, etc.
I say, everyone should read the Bible, cover to cover! Then more people would realize what a flawed, ugly, violent book it really is.
2007-04-19 17:32:05 · answer #5 · answered by grammartroll 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
We absolutely should be reading and studying the word apart from hearing the Word ministered in corporate worship.
Now the Bereans were of more noble character than the Thessalonians, for they received the message with great eagerness and examined the Scriptures every day to see if what Paul said was true" Act 17:11
Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.
2007-04-19 17:33:17 · answer #6 · answered by bonsai bobby 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Because many want a short way out, instead of investigating for themselves what God has to say, they decide it is better to listen to a pastor because he is religious man. Also many people are sunday only Chrisians and that is the only time they want to listen or read the Bible. Remember ignorance is bliss.
2007-04-19 17:31:54 · answer #7 · answered by jimbo2333 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Yes, I agree. When christians resort to letting all of their knowledge come directly from another person, they are not allowing the richest best experience to come to themselves. Because each person's intellect works slighlty differently based on experiences, knowledge already acquired, gifts of understanding certain things different from other people, personality and hunger to learn there is so much a person can rob from themselves if they don't read the bible and if they don't pray. Because then our own heart and mind become interactive in the learning. And God loves that! It's the same principle when a person sits down to learn anything: you can read a book about driving a car, but you only really learn to drive a car until you drive a car! Besides, God is so multi-faceted and their is so much to learn about Him. The bible is just one way to open the door of our hearts and get us started. But it says that God Himself will guide us into all truth. And He really does want to show us the things that are specific, personal and beautiful to us, because He cares about us! Also, Paul said "You have a MORE SURE word of prophecy whereunto you do well to draw nigh!" He's saying if we draw near to the word of God it will keep us safe when we hear something wrong, and will guide is in the path that's right: "Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path." That's my path that I walk on, and it is my life. No pastor or preacher no matter how much they love a person can ever really know all of the intricate details of another person's heart constantly. Only God can know that. That's why God encourages us to draw near to Him. And He will draw near to us. But our pastor is like a general shepherd here on earth, whose job is to encourage us on the right path, to love us and help us study, to pray for us and encourage us to stand. But they are undershepherds to the Great Shepherd of our life: God Himself, who calls us to know Him "One day face-to-face", and that really is God's cry for NOW, not eternity. We can leave it to pastors or others to do the work for us, but how much we're going to miss out we could've been shown by Our Father alone!
2007-04-19 17:44:34 · answer #8 · answered by Teresa L 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
"The early Christians of the Catholic church wanted to have the Bible to read for themselves. "
I think you should study history more. It was the Catholic church who hid the bible for 1000 years. Thats why its called the dark ages.
2007-04-19 17:31:43 · answer #9 · answered by SEOplanNOW.com 7 · 1⤊ 2⤋
i don't know why any Christian would rely upon another human being to interpret God's words for them. it is a huge mistake i see in so many congregations. so many place too much faith in their ministers and are somehow comforted by the notion of following them blindly.
the Bible has so many different interpretations and i like to look for my own, what it means to me.
you are so right. we should all be more self-responsible instead of following blindly and lazily along....
2007-04-19 17:33:44 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋