A Question About Scripture

[Barbkw]

What is Scripture for? What is its purpose?

This might also be helpful:

Catechism of the Catholic Church

(CCC 128-30).

The unity of the Old and New Testaments

128 The Church, as early as apostolic times, (104) and then constantly in her Tradition, has illuminated the unity of the divine plan in the two Testaments through typology, which discerns in God’s works of the Old Covenant prefigurations of what he accomplished in the fullness of time in the person of his incarnate Son.

129 Christians therefore read the Old Testament in the light of Christ crucified and risen. Such typological reading discloses the inexhaustible content of the Old Testament; but it must not make us forget that the Old Testament retains its own intrinsic value as Revelation reaffirmed by our Lord himself.(105) Besides, the New Testament has to be read in the light of the Old. Early Christian catechesis made constant use of the Old Testament.(106) As an old saying put it, the New Testament lies hidden in the Old and the Old Testament is unveiled in the New.(107)

130 Typology indicates the dynamic movement toward the fulfillment of the divine plan when “God [will] be everything to everyone.”(108) Nor do the calling of the patriarchs and the exodus from Egypt, for example, lose their own value in God’s plan, from the mere fact that they were intermediate stages.

104 Cf. 1 Cor 10:6,11; Heb 10:l; l Pet 3:21.
105 Cf. Mk 12:29-31
106 Cf. 1 Cor 5:6-8; 10:1-11.
107 Cf. St. Augustine, Quaest. in Hept. 2,73L 34,623; Cf. DV 16.
108 1 Cor 15:28.

Continued at: scborromeo.org/ccc/p1s1c2a3.htm#IV

 

[Nicea325]

What is Scripture for? What is its purpose?

God & Salvation History and to save humanity.

 

[Spencerian]

It seems to me that if you took Scripture away from the Catholics or the Orthodox, the Catholic Church would remain intact. But if you took it away from the Protestants, they’d be lost. The fact that the Catholic and the Orthodox Church exist today shows that the Protestant way of seeing Scripture isn’t the same as the way Christians in the early church saw it. It just can’t be. So Protestants look at Scripture apart from any Church. How can Scripture have a meaningful purpose if it’s outside the Church? Surely it’s only inside the Church, either Catholic or Orthodox, that Scripture can have any meaningful purpose?

You are very insightful. Seems that you’ve answered your own question!

 

[UniversalistGuy]

UniversalistGuy;7468113:

It seems to me that if you took Scripture away from the Catholics or the Orthodox, the Catholic Church would remain intact. But if you took it away from the Protestants, they’d be lost. The fact that the Catholic and the Orthodox Church exist today shows that the Protestant way of seeing Scripture isn’t the same as the way Christians in the early church saw it. It just can’t be. So Protestants look at Scripture apart from any Church. How can Scripture have a meaningful purpose if it’s outside the Church? Surely it’s only inside the Church, either Catholic or Orthodox, that Scripture can have any meaningful purpose?

You are very insightful. Seems that you’ve answered your own question!

Well maybe. If I have I’ve only answered it hypothetically. That’s the difficulty. The Bible HASN’T been taken away from the Protestants. And although Protestants can’t logically claim any historical connection to the early church some of them talk about trying to get back to it. And although the Protestants might not see the Bible inside the Church and disagree about what the Bible means they still do lots of good based on what they understand the Bible to say. So judging a tree by its fruit the Protestants score okay. I can’t fault the Salvation Army for example. And if they claim that they do what they do because of what the Bible says it kind of knocks a hole in my question about how Scripture could have meaningful purpose outside the Church. They’d just point to the good they do and wouldn’t really have to say anything. Or send me to talk to all the people they’ve helped. I don’t know. I’ll just keep thinking, I guess. Thanks for your encouraging post though.

 

[Richard_Kastner]

What is Scripture for? What is its purpose?

2Tim.3
15And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.
16All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:
17That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.

All of the Scriptures are God breathed, inspired. As such they are inerrant and infallible. They’re function is to show us the salvation that has been purchased for us by Jesus Christ, on the cross.

 

[pablope]

What is Scripture for? What is its purpose?

Here is a video series on the Bible. The third video is a talk regarding the Scriptures:

alabamacatholicresources.com/Bible.html

I am not sure if you are familiar with this verses:

2 Thessalonians 2:15
15Therefore, brethren, stand fast, and hold the traditions which ye have been taught, whether by word, or our epistle.

1Tim 3: 15:
if I am delayed, you may know how one ought to behave in the household of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and bulwark of the truth.

 

[pablope]

2Tim.3
15And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.
16All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:
17That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.

All of the Scriptures are God breathed, inspired. As such they are inerrant and infallible. They’re function is to show us the salvation that has been purchased for us by Jesus Christ, on the cross.

I will just verse 14 to Richard’s which he keeps forgetting or omitting:

2 Timothy 3:14-17 (King James Version)

** 14But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them;
**
15And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.

16All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:

17That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.

 

[UniversalistGuy]

UniversalistGuy;7467885:

What is Scripture for? What is its purpose?

2Tim.3
15And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.
16All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:
17That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.

I’m sure you know more about the Bible than I do but isn’t the scripture mentioned here only referring to Jewish writings?

All of the Scriptures are God breathed, inspired. As such they are inerrant and infallible.

How do you know that’s true? Who told you this was so?

They’re function is to show us the salvation that has been purchased for us by Jesus Christ, on the cross.

Surely there has to be more to it than that?

 

[rinnie]

What is Scripture for? What is its purpose?

Scripture is for us to read in context with the teaching’s of the Church, to pray on, and bring us closer to God.

There is written scripture and oral scriptures and both are just as important as the other. They help explain eachother also.

You cannot understand Scripture w/o Tradition which is oral scripture.

 

[rinnie]

Scripture is a record of other’s experience with God. It is a record of the wisdom and understanding they gained of God. It is not infallible, magical, or inerrant. It should be studied to understand the circumstance which caused the various writings to be recorded. Each of us has the capacity and “gift” of hearing and understanding the Word of God that comes to each of us. Each of us is “living scripture”.

The scriptures are a collection of VERY HUMAN writings…so human that most volumes in many homes is usually covered in dust.

If scripture is not the true word of God then how can there be any wisdom or understanding gained by God.

If each of us are all a living scripture then how can we become ONE in Christ as we are told to do? I mean if we are all our own book how can we unite and come together as One?

 

[Della]

Well maybe. If I have I’ve only answered it hypothetically. That’s the difficulty. The Bible HASN’T been taken away from the Protestants. And although Protestants can’t logically claim any historical connection to the early church some of them talk about trying to get back to it. And although the Protestants might not see the Bible inside the Church and disagree about what the Bible means they still do lots of good based on what they understand the Bible to say. So judging a tree by its fruit the Protestants score okay. I can’t fault the Salvation Army for example. And if they claim that they do what they do because of what the Bible says it kind of knocks a hole in my question about how Scripture could have meaningful purpose outside the Church. They’d just point to the good they do and wouldn’t really have to say anything. Or send me to talk to all the people they’ve helped. I don’t know. I’ll just keep thinking, I guess. Thanks for your encouraging post though.

There’s isn’t any way anyone could take the Bible away from anyone any more than one could take Shakespeare away from anyone who does his plays badly. That people have the wrong end of the stick or are ignorant of the Bible’s origins and true place in the Church doesn’t negate the fact that they are going to do whatever they please with it no matter what. God is not responsible for the way people abuse anything he has given us from natural things like fire to sex to his Holy Word.

And on the flip side of that, people will do good things apart from formal membership in the Church because God made us good not bad. Non-Christians do a lot of good things because they are made in God’s image as we all are. As for our separated brethren, they are joined to the Church, although in an imperfect way, through their baptism. For it is baptism that initiates one into the Church, and thus into Christ’s body. God will not hinder anyone doing good simply because he may be misinformed or not have enough catechesis. There are plenty of Catholics doing good work that are not apologists and couldn’t explain any of this to anyone else, but what they are doing is still good and right and God blesses it as he rightly should.

I blame the lack of education in our schools and secularization for people’s confusion about these things. At one time logic and natural law were required subjects, but now it’s basket weaving 101 and any crackpot idea is accepted as valid as the truth. Sorry for the rant, but I can’t help but be peeved when I see good honest people in such quandaries over basic things when it all could have been prevented by a sound education.

 

[Publisher]

If scripture is not the true word of God then how can there be any wisdom or understanding gained by God.

If each of us are all a living scripture then how can we become ONE in Christ as we are told to do? I mean if we are all our own book how can we unite and come together as One?

The True Word of God is not contained in a book. The True Word of God is the Living Christ which we experience individually and collectively of which the scriptures bears witness…an imperfect witness…but a witness still.

 

[Publisher]

If scripture is not the true word of God then how can there be any wisdom or understanding gained by God.

If each of us are all a living scripture then how can we become ONE in Christ as we are told to do? I mean if we are all our own book how can we unite and come together as One?

The True Word of God is not contained in a book. The True Word of God is the Living Christ which we experience individually and collectively of which the scriptures bears witness…an imperfect witness…but a witness still.

It is Christ which makes us one in Him…not a book.

 

[Richard_Kastner]

I’m sure you know more about the Bible than I do but isn’t the scripture mentioned here only referring to Jewish writings?

V.16 says 16All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:

I consider the NT scripture, don’t you?

How do you know that’s true? Who told you this was so?

Again “16All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:”

Surely there has to be more to it than that?

Really, like what? What do you think could rival the Good news of the Gospel?

 

[UniversalistGuy]

UniversalistGuy;7471027:

I’m sure you know more about the Bible than I do but isn’t the scripture mentioned here only referring to Jewish writings?

V.16 says 16All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:

I consider the NT scripture, don’t you?

Not in the context, I don’t. The verse you’re prooftexting at me was recorded prior to the existence of the NT. Now I’m not so sure that you know more about the Bible than I do.

UniversalistGuy;7471027:

How do you know that’s true? Who told you this was so?

Again “16All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:”

Repeating the eisegesis error. I guess errors abound for those who choose to lean on their own understanding of Scripture.

UniversalistGuy;7471027:

Surely there has to be more to it than that?

Really, like what? What do you think could rival the Good news of the Gospel?

Good luck at the Obfuscating Awards.

 

[SSTeacher]

What is Scripture for? What is its purpose?

You might this article engaging. Click here.

Cordially,
Mick

 

[Richard_Kastner]

Not in the context, I don’t. The verse you’re prooftexting at me was recorded prior to the existence of the NT. Now I’m not so sure that you know more about the Bible than I do.

So, you don’t think the new testament is scripture or inspired, except for some unidentified context. Could you please explain this context? In what context do you believe that the New Testament is inspired by God?

Repeating the eisegesis error. I guess errors abound for those who choose to lean on their own understanding of Scripture.

Here’s my original statement
All of the Scriptures are God breathed, inspired. As such they are inerrant and infallible.

You asked how I know this? As far as I’m concerned this verse 2Tim.3
16All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: Answers that question.

Good luck at the Obfuscating Awards.

What part of my post do you find unclear U G

 

[UniversalistGuy]

UniversalistGuy;7467885:

What is Scripture for? What is its purpose?

You might this article engaging. Click here.

Cordially,
Mick

I DID find it engaging. I was blown away by it. It’s so clear and logical. But there’s so much in it I’ll have to read it several more times. Thank you much. I think I’ve got my question answered now so I won’t bother with this thread any more. But before I go would you mind BRIEFLY saying why you became an Orthodox Christian and not a Roman Catholic or an Eastern Catholic? I mean you’re on a Catholic website.

 

[SSTeacher]

SSTeacher;7473471:

UniversalistGuy;7467885:

What is Scripture for? What is its purpose?

You might this article engaging. Click here.

Cordially,
Mick
:thumbsup:I DID find it engaging. I was blown away by it. It’s so clear and logical. But there’s so much in it I’ll have to read it several more times. Thank you much. I think I’ve got my question answered now so I won’t bother with this thread any more. But before I go would you mind BRIEFLY saying why you became an Orthodox Christian and not a Roman Catholic or an Eastern Catholic? I mean you’re on a Catholic website.

I came onto this website as a SOLO Scriptura Evangelical intending to check out Catholicism but I inquired into Orthodoxy at the same time and found myself drawn to Orthodox worship. I rejected Eastern Catholicism because although it considers itself to be a bridge between the East and the West I was unable to see it as anything other than a frayed tightrope and I foresaw that if I ventured onto it I’d eventually fall off.

Briefly,
Mick