For those of you who are convinced we don't:
The first session of my parish Bible study group this year -- an in-depth study of the Gospel of John -- was held last evening, and there was standing room only.
No more than 30 were anticipated; over 80 showed up. All brought their own Bibles, a variety of translations, including even the KJV.
Regular Bible studies are held in most U.S. parishes ... so doesn't this make the assumption that we don't read or study Scripture (or worse, aren't "allowed" to) completely false?
2007-10-25 05:07:59 · 19 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Oh, I see. So even if we're studying Scripture, we're doing it wrong. Nothing pleases some folks. (Didja miss the fact that the KJV showed up in class, and was allowed to stay there?)
2007-10-25 05:21:16 · update #1
Preacher, we're always witnessing. And sometimes we use words.
2007-10-25 05:29:07 · update #2
The naysayers here are absolutely amazing.
80 Catholics show up for a Bible study; you'd think that would be good news to those who always tell us "read your Bibles, if you have them that is". But no; it's "80 out of how many?"
It's "What Bible are you studying from?" (I answered that, I thought, but never mind)
It's "I doubt that they study (just told you that we do, slick) otherwise they'd know XYZ is wrong"
It's "who's guiding the study?" and "do you believe everything you hear?"
So what if we use "your" Bible and study under your pastor -- or better yet, your own personal tutelage? Would that satisfy you?
No, probably not. Some folks cherish their prejudices against the Church too much to allow anything to change their minds about us. Even facts.
2007-10-25 06:44:53 · update #3
The official Church teaching is that the Faithful are to have a love and esteem for Holy Scripture, for ignorance of Scripture is ignorance of Christ.
Are there lazy Catholics who do not study Scripture? Of course, but lazy Catholics are not the ones who have teaching authority.
On the other hand, memorizing certain Scriptural verses with a preconceived interpretation is not study of Scripture either.
2007-10-25 05:20:40 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 7⤊ 1⤋
Here's the deal:
Funda-MENTAL-ists think that because they've read a Chick Tract, or Heard from a preacher (Note -not because they've read scripture, and studied Catholicism in detail) that Catholics don't read the Bible, or teach things that can't be supported by scripture, that it's so. Just like they say that Evolution means that man comes from monkeys.
They say things that they've heard and have never bothered to take the time to research it.
When I was a Christian, I learned far more about the Bible and church history from Catholics than I did from Protestants.
Catholics study the Bible. They read from the Bible weekly at church. Just because "A" Bible isnt' in the seat doesn't mean that "THE" Bible is missing. Take a look at any Missal in the pew: the sections being read and studies are there. Selections from the Old Testament, New Testament, Psalms, Gospels, etc.
When Jesus was in the temple, there was no Bible. When the Apostles preached, there was no Bible. In fact, until about 400AD, there was NO SUCH THING as a Bible. The BIBLE DIDN'T EXIST in the Early church. SOLA SCRIPTURA ITSELF isn't Biblical!
People will continue to remain hate-filled and love to bash Catholicism. Let them. It gives them something to do. It helps them feel puffed up and self-righteous. They don't understand, and it feels good to them. It also keeps them off the backs of the Pagans and atheists as well ... at least for a time.
2007-10-25 07:57:03 · answer #2 · answered by Deirdre H 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
We have a Bible study(Gospel of Matthew) here in our Catholic parish every Wednesday and Tuesday,
but our reading and studying the Bible will not soften the fury and scorn of the AntiCatholics who insist that the only way to read the Bible is through the interpretation of their particular church traditions which contradict each other in crucial areas of interpretation.
And they claim that they go by the Bible alone! Hah!
2007-10-25 06:53:19 · answer #3 · answered by James O 7 · 3⤊ 0⤋
Some years ago (back during my brief stint as a Baptist), a Catholic friend of mine gave me a book called _Born Fundamentalist, Born Again Catholic_, by David B. Currie. That book quickly rid me of the notion that Catholics don't study the Bible. To an honest Baptist reader, its commentary on John 6 is quite a mind-bender.
2007-10-25 09:05:29 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous Lutheran 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Catholics are uniquely positioned to read the Bible because they don't wear the straitjacket of sola scriptura.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sola_scriptura
In brief, this teaching of Martin Luther said that the Bible can be read out of context, with no need to consult the interpretive community that wrote and selected it. Anyone could decide for himself whatever whacky idea he wanted to find in the ancient books of Christianity.
One of the greatest resources available to original Christians are the ideas of the Fathers of the Church:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Church_Fathers
These great thinkers in the early centuries of Christianity were the disciples of the apostles. They questioned the men who questioned Jesus, and they found out how to understand "born again by water and the Spirit," "eat my body and drink my blood," and many other ambiguities and difficult ideas in the biblical texts.
It might be easier to make something up. But those in communion with the original Christians study to show themselves approved, workmen rightly dividing the word.
Cheers,
Bruce
2007-10-25 05:40:11 · answer #5 · answered by Bruce 7 · 6⤊ 1⤋
I am in the 4th year of the ____ Catholic Biblical School - it's incredibly in depth. We cover the entire Bible in those four years. We also have weekly Bible studies, and a course on the Early Church Fathers.
Those who say Catholics don't read the Bible are deluding themselves.
2007-10-25 05:16:26 · answer #6 · answered by SpiritRoaming 7 · 8⤊ 1⤋
Amen sister. lol
Catholics read the Bible. I have since I was in grade school. And yes, we have prayer meetings, Bible reading or study groups, we meet every week with our household, we meet once a month for general assemblies, apart from going to mass on (obligatory) Sundays and if preferred, everyday. We pray everyday, we offer our lives to God's greatest glory. We do praise and worship. We even donate to other Christian organizations. (there was one when i called i was asked what church do i go to, I answered, "St. Ann's Church", and he was like, no, 'what KIND of church?" hehe, i'm like 'a CATHOLIC church', he was silent, but then again, accepted the donation anyway -- I donated because i believe in making everybody knowledgeable about Jesus, about God, no matter what religion we have or who we are....
We honor Mama Mary as Jesus' Mother, who was proclaimed ' Blessed amongst women' (other Christians, please do consult your Bible on this part). Let me make it clear. WE DO NOT WORSHIP MARY. We held her in reverence to have accepted the duty to fulfill her part of being 'filled with the Holy Spirit to bear a fruit in her womb, to be named Jesus."
2007-10-25 06:11:36 · answer #7 · answered by coco_loco 3 · 4⤊ 1⤋
I can see why cathlics don't care much for fundies, as you all call them.
They study and interpret Scripture individually and all come up with a different interpretation, yet claim the Holy Spirit is leading them. Yeah right - it's a spirit alright, but it ain't holy.
2007-10-25 05:23:53 · answer #8 · answered by Garrettsbiotch 2 · 5⤊ 2⤋
Very good, do you witness what you learn in other pass on to others the good news of Jesus the Christ.
2007-10-25 05:24:15 · answer #9 · answered by preacher 5 · 1⤊ 1⤋
I teach Bible studies - and have for 20 years. I heartily concur.
2007-10-25 05:11:19 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 9⤊ 1⤋