why do catholics think that they dont have to follow the bible?

Answer 1

Catholic doctrine says that the Pope's ex cathedra pronouncements hold equal weight with Scripture. These pronouncements have introduced concepts as fact that have no basis in Scripture.

Answer 2

WHERE do non-Catholics get this crazy idea? Not only do we spend the majority of Mass on Sunday *reading the Bible* and hearing a sermon about the same, we have a book called the Catechism which explains why we believe what we believe and also gives *Scriptural justification* for the things we believe and the things that we do as Catholics.

Additionally, many Catholics of my acquaintance attend a weekly Bible study and/or read extensively from the Bible as part of their prayer life. I know this is not necessarily the universal tendency in the Catholic Church, but to assume that NONE of us read the Bible outside of Mass is clearly erroneous.

In fact, I would venture to declare that Catholics follow the Bible more closely than some Protestant denominations. We do not focus on single verses and out-of-context bits of Scripture and pretend this piecemeal approach is the pinnacle of Christian spirituality. The Catholic Church takes the whole of Scripture, including the parts that are rejected by other Christian denominations, and follows *all* the tenets of our common Christian faith to the best of her ability.

I'm not trying to claim that the Church's history has been spotless; it clearly has not. There have been events in our history and practices sanctioned by the Church that would be unthinkable today, yet we are time and again crucified for something that happened over 500 years ago. We'll have to chat again once your denomination has a couple millennia under its belt and we can compare the relative spotlessness of our histories. However, if you actually take an *honest* look at Catholic doctrine and its Scriptural underpinnings, you'll find that we are not nearly as horrible as Pastor So-and-so makes us out to be.

If you'd like to have an honest and honorable debate about theology, then there are any number of us who would willingly tackle the subject with you. However, please do us the courtesy of actually researching Catholicism for yourself. Don't just rely on whatever anti-Catholic, hate-mongering preachers or authors imagine Catholicism to be.

Answer 3

they do! if you'd like to attend a Catholic mass you will find it fillef with scripture readings and prayers. besides – all Rcc beliefs can be found in the bible, some plainly others indirectly indicated. Scripture itself points out an authoritative church & tradition. St Paul points out in his second letter to the Thess – stand firm & hold to the traditions which you were taught by us, either by word of mouth or letter. Here are some scriptures to check out 2 Thess 2:15, 1 Cor 11:2, 2 Thess 3:6, 2 Tim 1:13-14 & 2:2. When the first Christians had disagreements they didn’t open their bibles – they didn’t exist – they held councils and held binding decrees – these councils were those who knew more then the others and they came to an agreement/understanding and thus made a binding decree (acts 15:1-29). The very books of the bible were determined by the Church (Rcc) and didn’t even happen until the 4th century – centuries of oral tradition. Without their determination and will to listen to the Holy Spirit, sent by God to inspire them there would be no bible.
If the traditions and leaders of the Rcc did not hold to the scriptures (while some held violently or savagely) the majority shared and taught. Had the hierarchy of the Rcc not established the foundations where would Christianity be today? Would there even be a bible in print – I really don’t think so. Because people would not have shared their traditions. Most people century’s back never owned a bible like we do, gracious they couldn’t even read.

Answer 4

Where did you get that charming tidbit of information? The reason that I ask is because you need to talk to your sources and tell them that they are badly mistaken. From here, I can look at my bookshelves and see at least 30 different translations and versions of the Bible, along with an entire shelf full of commentaries, study guides, dictionaries, and concordances.

And incidentally, I'm Catholic.

Catholic doctrine and sacred tradtion is now and has always been compatible with Scripture. Just because some churches don't take the time to dig into those Scriptures, look at the meaning of the orginal language, and then put everything into context, that doesn't mean that we Catholics don't.

If you'd studied with a Catholic who knows why we believe what we believe, you wouldn't have had to ask this question. Next time, ask a member of the Church a question about a point of doctrine, instead of relying on mistaken information and hear-say, OK?

Answer 5

How do know they don't follow the Bible? Catholics are not taught from the Bible because the Bible is a very complicated book. Thousands of people can read the Bible and each will get a different idea of what things mean! That is what is so fascinating about the Bible!

Answer 6

We do follow the Bible.

I have much more to tell you, but you cannot bear it now. But when he comes, the Spirit of truth, he will guide you to all truth. He will not speak on his own, but he will speak what he hears, and will declare to you the things that are coming. (John 16:12-13)

The Catholic Church does not use Holy Scripture as the only basis of doctrine. It could not. The early Catholic church existed before and during the time that the New Testament was written (by Catholics).

There were hundreds of Christian writings during the first and second centuries. Which New Testament writings would become official was not fully decided until about 400 C.E.

Catholics believe that the Holy Spirit was guiding the early church (and is guiding the church today) to make the correct choices about things like:
+ The Holy Trinity (which is also only hinted at in the Bible)
+ Going to church on Sunday instead of Saturday (which is actually directly against one of the Ten Commandments)
+ The Communion of Saints
+ Which writings include in the New Testament?

Things that are even more modern like
+ Slavery is bad. Slavery is never declared evil in the Bible. This was one of the justifications for slavery in the Confederate States.
+ Democracy is good. The Bible states that either God should be the leader of the nation like Israel before the kings or kings should be the leader, "Give to Caesar that which is Caesar's." This was talked about a lot during the American Revolution.

This second source of doctrine is called Apostolic Tradition.

Do Christians who do not allow the continuing guiding force of the Holy Spirit to make their beliefs more and more perfect, still endorse slavery as Colossians 3:22 commands, "Slaves, obey your human masters in everything"?

Therefore, brothers, stand firm and hold fast to the traditions that you were taught, either by an oral statement or by a letter of ours. (2 Thessalonians 2:15)

We instruct you, brothers, in the name of (our) Lord Jesus Christ,to shun any brother who conducts himself in a disorderly way and not according to the tradition they received from us. (2 Thessalonians 3:6)

I praise you because you remember me in everything and hold fast to the traditions, just as I handed them on to you. (1 Corinthians 11:2)

For more information, see the Catechism of the Catholic Church, sections 80 and following: http://www.usccb.org/catechism/text/pt1sect1chpt2.htm#80

With love in Christ.

Answer 7

Catholics do follow the Bible and are totally in agreement with it. It is the book of the Catholic faith written and canonized by Catholics.

In Christ
Fr. Joseph

Answer 8

<> First, generalizations are constantly incorrect. once you're coping with human beings, you are able to desire to take them one after the other. So, the thought Catholics (any team for that count), often, do or do not do 'something' is unreasonable. 2d, provide examples of Catholics not following Biblical coaching. do not in basic terms declare they don't stick to the Bible, and end it there. That too is unreasonable. <> the place does it say "do not criticize"? lower back, in case you declare the Bible says this, you ultimate cite a Biblical textual content fabric. The claims you're making at the instant are not self-glaring, so which you will desire to grant info. What related to here religious Works of Mercy: Admonish the sinner coach the ignorant tips the uncertain a great sort of those entail making judgment calls and, in specific circumstances, open criticism. You declare the Bible says, "do not criticize", yet what's you're doign to Catholics good now? it somewhat is high-quality in spite of the incontrovertible fact that because of the fact criticism, while introduced contructively and compassionately, will help the only(s) being criticized. 'Admonished', i think of, could be a extra constructive be conscious to apply than 'criticize'. in case you're beef is with unconstructive, uncompassionate criticism, then i'm good there with you. that is not a reliable ingredient to do. despite the fact that, there is not any blanket-condemnation of all criticism to be got here across everywhere in the Bible. <> You the two criticize Catholics and denounce criticism in an identical paragraph. isn't that hypocrisy?

Answer 9

Who told you that ?
In the USA, people use the Bible as a convenience store, and I don't mean the Catholics.
They take what they like and don't follow what they don't like. Therefore, what's the big deal about Catholics ?

Answer 10

The Catholic church does follow the bible.

Answer 11

Hey dude, I think your question is just a matter of your opinion..you probably know some catholics that are like that, but that's not what our religion is about.