Since Catholics compiled the Bible, should they be the only ones who can interpret it correctly?

Question

That seems to be the Catholic belief about the Bible.

Answer 1

There were no denominations in the first century. The Jesus followers of the day shared letters from the apostles and their associates. The Bible as we know it was created from the collection of those letters along with the Jewish writings that make up the Old Testament.

The church started out pure and free from corruption. It was during this time that the books of the Bible were solidified and agreed upon. Over time, however, the church became allied with the government (*never* a good thing), and it grew powerful and corrupt. It built rules and restrictions into corrupt history and traditions. Denominations didn't come into play until the abuses of the church caused Martin Luther and others to rebel. Their "protest" spawned the Reformation and the beginning of the Protestant church. The Reformation turned the church away from the legalistic, bureaucratic beast it had become and returned focus to Jesus, the Bible, and salvation by faith alone.

Answer 2

Erasmus did the critical text called Textus Receptus.
He admits it was done hastily and for money.

But it still carried the truth that leads to everlasting life, and that's why God allowed it to exist.

The most accurate compilation you'll find is the New World Translation of the Holy Scriptures.
It's based on the Vatican Codes 1209 which was first critically texted by Westcott and Hort.
You'll find trash on the Internet about the two renown Greek scholars, but that's because the attackers can't find anything wrong with their works.

Now, concerning the Catholics.
I know personally, that maybe until recently, the church discouraged Bible reading.
They wanted Catholics to go to the priest for all their spiritual needs.
But the church still highly cherished the Bible.
To point, that is one of the reasons it is available to us today.

In the late 1800's, they made available from the archive catacombs, the Vatican Codex 1209 for photographing.
That was the turning point.
The Textus Receptus was then shown to be inferior and several more accurate Bibles than the Douay and KJV was made. The English Standard Version,The American Standard Version, The Darby and several others.

Anyway, the Catholic Church was instrumental in preserving the Bible for us.
But as far as compilations and interpretating, that credit goes to the Watchtower Bible and Tract Society.

Answer 3

The Jews compiled the Old Testament(and did NOT include the catholic apocrypha).The Catholics (means Universal) didn't become Roman Catholic until the 300s A.D.The Bible had already been compiled.Papius ,a student of John at the end of the 1rst cent. and the 2nd cent. quotes all the Gospels as well as much of Paul,Peter and even Jude. The Roman's broke away because they wanted to rule the churches(hence the Orthodox and catholic split) Paul said that was not to be so.
Catholocism is more about Man- Made traditions and fairy stories than about the Bible and the Lord Jesus Christ.

Answer 4

Firstly, Im not sure that Catholics compiled the Bible. The Septuagint already existed about 200BC and the new testament books were all written within 70 years after Jesus ascended. Still, the process of compilation was done after much research and authoritative studies, and no Christian questions the inspiration of the 66 books.

Secondly, what does compiling the Bible have to do with interpreting it?

Answer 5

Catholics were the original Christian Church that established which Letters were inspired and which were not inspired.

Today, Biblical interpretation crosses denominational lines, and many many faiths work collaboratively in the authentic translation.

That is why the Bibles are unifying in the translations.

You do not seem to know Catholic beliefs very well...no offense.

Answer 6

That would be a reasonable conclusion. After all the Bible says that the Church is the source of the truth and that the Church will never fall into apostasy.

The Bible was written to be understood in community rather than each individual coming up with their own interpretation. The Bible in the hands of the Church is a tool for goodness and salvation. The Bible in the hands of heretics is the tool for evil and damnation. Considering that the Bible is only a small part of Jesus' teaching, it is reasonable that the fullness of the truth is not contained in the Bible but in His Church.

In Christ
Fr. Joseph

Answer 7

The Catholics did not compile the Bible and they are one of many religious groups who do interpret it incorrectly, but only God can reveal that to them.

Answer 8

St Jerome belongs to everybody whether they are Catholic or Protestant or Orthodox or Muslim, or Buddhist, or Native North American, or Israeli. We are all sharing in the salvation of God.

In all things be humble. This is the lesson of the Saints, and of everyone who follows in Christ's footsteps. We can learn much from each other no matter what our beliefs are.

Answer 9

I wasn't aware there was any copyright on the Bible! Surely any text is up to the reader to bring their own interpretation to the text? There are numerous ideas on Biblical interpretation methods. Perhaps the best way is to seek some education around the tools available then make your own choice. Remember, above all, that externally imposed rigidity is always dangerous.

Answer 10

Catholics didn't compile the Bible. Catholicism didn't exist for 300 years after the completion and compiling of the Bible.

The genocidal Vatican murdered anyone found owning a Bible. Does that sound like a group that can correctly interpret it?

The Bible is eternally God's Word. It is not the work of man or any group. And in the Bible, Jesus says the Holy Spirit is the true Interpreter of all Scripture.