Bible

[PeteZaHut]

This may seem like a ridiculous question, but is it okay to read the Bible? Part of the reason that we have to follow the church’s guidance on everything is that everyone can interpret the Bible differently, and two people can have two contradictory viewpoints. So what if I interpret what I read incorrectly?

 

[mark_a]

This may seem like a ridiculous question, but is it okay to read the Bible? Part of the reason that we have to follow the church’s guidance on everything is that everyone can interpret the Bible differently, and two people can have two contradictory viewpoints. So what if I interpret what I read incorrectly?

The Church wants you to read the bible. If something doesn’t add up, take it upon yourself to investigate and get the correct answer. Just don’t ASSUME that the Catholic Church’s interpretation is wrong just because a “bible-only church” member says so.

Keep in mind the Church’s moral teachings, you won’t find the whole truth anywhere else. Don’t go off the deep end on theological issues.

The Catechism of the Catholic Church is an excellent guide for reading the bible.

OK, you can start reading now.

 

[Newbie2]

By all means, read the bible!

As far as interpretation goes, interpretation can be on several levels. First, is familiarity with the text; like the parables. Next, there is a deeper meaning within and behind the text. This takes a bit of work in terms of study.

(BTW, doesn’t the term “bible study” seem like drugery? Kinda like studying math for a test? We need to come up with a different term to make it sound less of an ardous task)

Anyway, there are many good Catholic biblical commentaries available that you can use; I’ve found the Collegeville Biblical commentary to be a good easier read, while the Sacra Pagina series is much more academic.

Keep in mind that even learned Catholic biblical scholars disagree on some of the fine points of scripture; so don’t worry about the difficult passages earlier on. The bottom line about scripture study is what it ends up meaning for you and how it influences your faith.

Granted, that’s why we want to “get it right”, but you can get something different from each time you read a particular text. Maybe that’s what the human and divine author intended?

 

[Joe_Kelley]

My old Douay bible noted an indulgence for reading the bible. I think it is still valid, though I don’t have the details at hand.

My great-grandfather’s bible includes a letter by Pope Pius VI praising the publisher’s effort to make the bible available in English so more people could read it.

 

[thistle]

This may seem like a ridiculous question, but is it okay to read the Bible? Part of the reason that we have to follow the church’s guidance on everything is that everyone can interpret the Bible differently, and two people can have two contradictory viewpoints. So what if I interpret what I read incorrectly?

The two books in the world you should read are the Bible and the Catechism of the Catholic Church.

 

[war_eagle]

This may seem like a ridiculous question, but is it okay to read the Bible?

Of course. God commands us to.

Part of the reason that we have to follow the church’s guidance on everything is that everyone can interpret the Bible differently, and two people can have two contradictory viewpoints. So what if I interpret what I read incorrectly?

I would recommend getting a book book that teaches how to study the Bible. There’s an excellent DVD that we have available at our church called “Herman Who?” that teaches you how to properly study the Bible, so that you’ll know how to interpret it.

I believe you can get it through Amazon.com.

 

[MH84]

Of course. God commands us to.

“God commands us to”… where does it say that? Do you mean the Catechism from the Church maybe?

I would recommend getting a book book that teaches how to study the Bible. There’s an excellent DVD that we have available at our church called “Herman Who?” that teaches you how to properly study the Bible, so that you’ll know how to interpret it.

I believe you can get it through Amazon.com.

Sounsd interesting. Is it Catholic. I might check it out in Amazon

 

[war_eagle]

“God commands us to”… where does it say that?

All throughout the book of Proverbs, in the OT law, in Paul’s letters to the Corinthians, in 2 Timothy, etc.

Do you mean the Catechism from the Church maybe?

No. The Catechism from the Roman Catholic church isn’t a command from God, it’s the opinions of men.

Sounsd interesting. Is it Catholic.

No but it’s Biblical and it’s sound.

 

[wifeandmomoftwo]

"

I would recommend getting a book book that teaches how to study the Bible. There’s an excellent DVD that we have available at our church called “Herman Who?” that teaches you how to properly study the Bible, so that you’ll know how to interpret it.

I believe you can get it through Amazon.com.

So what happens when you and your fellow church member interpret a passage in the bible and come to two different conclusions??

 

[MH84]

No. The Catechism from the Roman Catholic church isn’t a command from God, it’s the opinions of men.

No you misunderstood me. I meant that when you said “God commands us to (read the Bible)”, you might have meant that the Church insists/commands that we read the Bible, not God. The Church expresses this in the Catechism, but I can’t recall God commanding people to read the Bible.

 

[MH84]

So what happens when you and your fellow church member interpret a passage in the bible and come to two different conclusions??

I quoted someone else saying that. I didnt say that.

 

[MH84]

War eagle, Ive just realised hat you are non-Catholic. The Catechism does contain truths in it, including Scripture references and quotes from the ECF, and also Church doctrines.

Btw, what do people do if they are poor and can’t read? Because a lot of Christians claim that only reading the Bible will teach the truths about God.

 

[wifeandmomoftwo]

I quoted someone else saying that. I didnt say that.

Yes, I realize that my quote should be credited to War Eagle.

Let me try this again…
WAR-EAGLE:

"

I would recommend getting a book book that teaches how to study the Bible. There’s an excellent DVD that we have available at our church called “Herman Who?” that teaches you how to properly study the Bible, so that you’ll know how to interpret it.

I believe you can get it through Amazon.com.

So what happens when you and your fellow church member interpret a passage in the bible and come to two TOTALLY different conclusions??

 

[MH84]

They end up with thousands of Christian denominations .

 

[wifeandmomoftwo]

They end up with thousands of Christian denominations .

That is what I thought.

 

[MH84]

And to make sure that everyone knows whose opinions are being expressed, they name their ministries after themselves.

 

[war_eagle]

So what happens when you and your fellow church member interpret a passage in the bible and come to two different conclusions??

Then we pull out our Bibles sit down, perhaps with a third party, and go over it together.

If it’s a non-essential or matter of adiopheron and we still disagree, then we simply shake hands and agree to disagree.

If it’s an essential, then we’ll sit down with them and go through the Bible on that subject with them and counsel them.

If it’s a matter of somebody not holding to an essential, then we counsel them and give them an opportunity to straighten it out.

If they do, then fine. If they don’t, and they’re a member of the congregation, then, depending on how serious the doctrine, we consider withholding the Lord’s Supper from them and if they spread a false doctrine, then we would probably ask them to stop and repent. If they didn’t, then we would remove them from the church.

If it’s a ministry team member, then we would counsel him and give him an opportunity to repent and ask him to step down while he gets it straightened out. If he does get it straightened out and repents, then we would probably let him back on ministry staff on a probationary period. If not, then we would probably remove him from the church.

Typically, disagreements over doctrine tend to be over peripheral things and adiopheron, because the people wouldn’t have become Christians in the first place if they didn’t agree with the essential doctrines of Christianity.

But, really, people have to go through such a rigorous process to join that it’s hard to believe they’d get through the process without any disagreements being uncovered.

 

[wifeandmomoftwo]

Then we pull out our Bibles sit down, perhaps with a third party, and go over it together.

If it’s a non-essential or matter of adiopheron and we still disagree, then we simply shake hands and agree to disagree.

If it’s an essential, then we’ll sit down with them and go through the Bible on that subject with them and counsel them.

But if each of you is allowed to interpet the bible as you see fit. Why counsel anybody?

If it’s a matter of somebody not holding to an essential, then we counsel them and give them an opportunity to straighten it out.
What is an essential??

If they do, then fine. If they don’t, and they’re a member of the congregation, then, depending on how serious the doctrine, we consider withholding the Lord’s Supper from them and if they spread a false doctrine, then we would probably ask them to stop and repent. If they didn’t, then we would remove them from the church.
**Once again you allow sola scripture so why punish anybody for interpreting the bible? Aren’t you all allowed to come to different conclusions on what ya’ll read? **

If it’s a ministry team member, then we would counsel him and give him an opportunity to repent and ask him to step down while he gets it straightened out. If he does get it straightened out and repents, then we would probably let him back on ministry staff on a probationary period. If not, then we would probably remove him from the church.

But, really, people have to go through such a rigorous process to join that it’s hard to believe they’d get through the process without any disagreements being uncovered. Really?? What exactly is the process?

 

[war_eagle]

But if each of you is allowed to interpet the bible as you see fit. Why counsel anybody?

Because the Bible says that we should correct them.

What is an essential??

They haven’t changed since the last time I told you.

Once again you allow sola scripture so why punish anybody for interpreting the bible?

We don’t punish anybody for interpreting the Bible. Do you still beat your children?

Aren’t you all allowed to come to different conclusions on what ya’ll read?

Sure, but that doesn’t mean that the conclusion is correct.

Really?? What exactly is the process?

If they’ve come from another church, then we talk to that church to see if they’re people with a right standing in Christ, someone of good moral character. Then, we sit down and interview them, go over a list of doctrine with them, and have them sign off on it and agree that they’ll submit to church discipline, should that ever happen.

Next, we go over their application and if their application and church letter check out, then we take it to the congregation and ask them if anyone has any objections.

If not, then we generally have no problem making them a member.

If they’re a new convert, then we ask them to take a series of classes before they’re baptised. Then, we sit down with them and go over a list of doctrines and have them sign off on those, as well as an agreement that they’ll submit to church doctrine.

Then, we take it to the congregation and ask if anyone has any objections. If not, then they become a member upon baptism.

 

[wifeandmomoftwo]

Sure, but that doesn’t mean that the conclusion is correct.

Says who? On whose authority?

If they’ve come from another church, then we talk to that church to see if they’re people with a right standing in Christ, someone of good moral character. Then, we sit down and interview them, go over a list of doctrine with them, and have them sign off on it and agree that they’ll submit to church discipline, should that ever happen.
Next, we go over their application and if their application and church letter check out, then we take it to the congregation and ask them if anyone has any objections.

If not, then we generally have no problem making them a member.

If they’re a new convert, then we ask them to take a series of classes before they’re baptised. Then, we sit down with them and go over a list of doctrines and have them sign off on those, as well as an agreement that they’ll submit to church doctrine.

Then, we take it to the congregation and ask if anyone has any objections. If not, then they become a member upon baptism.

So what is on this list of Doctirines that they have to sign off on (can you list them for me please)?
Also even if they sign off on this list they can still be denied membership if Jane Doe has an objection?