BSF (Bible Study Fellowship) hmm?

[Crumpy]

I can’t wait until this fall’s Vatican synod of bishops on the use of sacred scripture in the Church.

It’s hard to tell where they’re going with it, but anything which would stabilize and promote scripture study in the Catholic Church is welcome by me and long overdue.

I don’t know if the Pontifical Biblical Institute or whatever it was called is still in existence, or what they’re doing. But, I think the Church needs to expound more on the Bible, since there is so much ignorance and half-truths out there.

Recall 1 Ti 3:15:
But if I should be delayed, you should know how to behave in the household of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and foundation of truth. (NAB)

Let’s start Bible study with this verse in mind and stay on track!

 

[EHRAM]

After attending BSF for about 10 years, I joined the Catholic Church. Yes, BSF does present the [Protestant] Bible from an evangelical Protestant perspective. By studying the Bible in BSF, I learned so many things I had not known before. I also started having questions about parts of the Bible that BSF seemed to skip over (the keys to the kingdom, for example). After a while I began to realize that I wanted to be part of a church in which it was OK to think that God might have used evolution as part of his plan of creation, while still believing in the moral authority of the Bible. I also started thinking that perhaps the Bishop of Rome DID have move authority than any other bishop. So I joined an RCIA class and the rest is history. I stayed in BSF for a while, occasionally answering questions such as “How can sola fides be applied in the church today?” with answers citing the letter of James in which he makes it clear that we are NOT saved by faith alone, or making the point that if Christians are to obey the authorities instituted by God, this includes Church authority. Unless you already know the Bible and the Catholic faith really well, enough to be a good Catholic apologist, I think it would be better to find a Catholic Bible Study.

 

[Elzee]

I A non-denomination bible study is better than no bible study at all.

I really struggle with this…I can see your point, but if you don’t know your Catholic faith well and are not being taught the truth in these studies, is that really better? I’m not attacking your statement - I honestly struggle with this question when people who do not have Catholic bible studies in their area ask me what they should.

I know 3 people who have been led out of the Catholic Church primarily through BSF. Granted they weren’t ‘strong’ Catholics, but they did attend Mass and were gradually maturing in their faith. No Catholic Church in their area offered a bible study - or the study offered was extremely poor - and they joined the non-denominational church that had BSF. It was partly because they got drawn in by the fellowship, but it was also in large part to the teaching they received. So, was it really better that they joined BSF?

 

[EHRAM]

And they don’t go through the whole Bible. A look at their website will show that they only do certain books. (And since they don’t use a Catholic bible, they obviously don’t use a whole bible! .

During a seven year time period, BSF covers Matthew, John, Acts, Romans, several of the Pauline letters, and Hebrews in depth. They also cover the Pentateuch, the minor prophets, and the historical books of the Old Testment. They skim over Joshua, Judges, Ruth, Lamentations, Proverbs, etc. They occassionally refer to parts of the Major Prophets. They encourage participants to read the rest of the books of the Bible (including the one’s they skim over) during the summer, one chapter per day.

 

[EHRAM]

Also, one of the factors that attracted me to the Catholic Church was the exuberant joy shown by Catholic members of BSF. They were some of the happiest, most devoted and loving persons in my discussion groups. Few stayed with BSF for more than a few years, though.

 

[EHRAM]

I lived in Raleigh, North Carolina, for ten years, and I believe that BSF was started in Raleigh by Anne Graham Lotz, who lived there. It was huge in Raleigh; I knew so many people who attended or wanted to attend.

I used to be Protestant, and I always wanted to attend BSF. But there were such strict rules! You weren’t allowed to miss more than a meeting or two, or you had to start over. Even for sickness.

IMO, this group isn’t especially conducive to family life. I wouldn’t want to be so tied down.

If you are single with no serious relationships and no kids, I could maybe see it. But to put yourself under such strict rules when you have a family is not a real good idea IMO.

Anne Graham Lotz might have started the BSF class in Raleigh, but BSF, International was founded by Audrey W. Johnson, a former missionary to China. See her autobiography, Created for Commitment for more information.

BSF has “guidelines.” If you miss more than three classes in a row, and there are persons on a waiting list, you forfeit your place in the class to a person who is waiting. People do return to class after extended absences after surgery, illness, travel, etc.

BSF has programs for preschool children at the day women’s classes and programs for school age children at the evening classes for men or women. I did not find it to interfere with family life.

Again, though, if there are Catholic Bible Studies and Faith Formation classes available for adults and children, I would recommend those instead. BSF claims to teach just what is in the Bible, but often teaches Protestant doctrine that, IMHO, is not really biblical (e.g. sola fides).

 

[Em_in_FL]

I’m not familiar with the 7 year BSF program…

But on the general topic of “bible study groups”…
Some time ago at work we had a little bible study going… mostly “run” by “nondenominational” Baptists…
For some reason I JUMPED at the opportunity to join in… I THRIVED there arguing every Catholic point I could! I’d bring my Catechism and study the Church Fathers for the following week’s discussion… actually, I learned more about my faith during that time than ever before. I HAD to STAND UP for my faith when I KNEW they were attacking specific Catholic beliefs out of total lack of knowledge.
I had a BLAST… and enjoyed it very much.

Eventually the bible study died down… I think a few of them got tired of arguing against logic…

 

[Orionthehunter]

I attended BSF for several years (tried getting a family member to leave it during those years) and it is extremely anti-Catholic, though they try to keep that bias low-key. They have an unwritten rule that no practicing Catholic can ever be considered for leadership roles.

I would not attend if I were you.

I will second this. I have a Catholic friend who decided to participate as a sign of ecumenism and have an opportunity to dispel at least misconceptions about the faith. I think he has been going for 3 or 4 years. Recently, he intimated that he has been gutting it out just to fulfill his commitment but he says the institutional bias against even his clarification of actual Catholic Teaching is so prevalent he feels continued participation is causing him to have uncharitable thoughts about fellow Christians. Tparsons, I strongly warn you that you have to be of very strong constitution and have great capacity to bear personal criticism of the faith to endure it.

 

[RedSoxFan]

I’m not familiar with the 7 year BSF program…

But on the general topic of “bible study groups”…
Some time ago at work we had a little bible study going… mostly “run” by “nondenominational” Baptists…
For some reason I JUMPED at the opportunity to join in… I THRIVED there arguing every Catholic point I could! I’d bring my Catechism and study the Church Fathers for the following week’s discussion… actually, I learned more about my faith during that time than ever before. I HAD to STAND UP for my faith when I KNEW they were attacking specific Catholic beliefs out of total lack of knowledge.
I had a BLAST… and enjoyed it very much.

Eventually the bible study died down… I think a few of them got tired of arguing against logic…

Your one in a million. While it’s good for the fiesty type who is absolutley certain about thier faith, it’s not good for most people. Here’s why. The average person just wants to attend and learn. Not have their beliefs trampeled on or ridiculed. Often if they are not strong or knowledgeable about Catholicism they won’t be able to defend to the level that could stand up to the inevitable onslaught that the course would have for Catholic thought. If that person is beaten in an arguement because they don’t know the response to argue they could begin to think that the church was wrong.
Perhaps the church wasn’t perfect. Perhaps they (bible study leaders) are right and I am wrong. Then the thought goes down that path and the person is gone from the Church. So basically a 103 pound lightweight got beat up by a 240 heavyweight in terms of debating. It wasn’t a fair fight. It takes another heavyweight to knock out another heavyweight and these classes are made for fair fights. Most Catholics should not enter into these classes.

 

[RedSoxFan]

These classes AREN’T made for fair fighting. I meant AREN’T.

 

[mayra_hart]

i don’t have experience with BSF. but i did attend a bible study held by a baptist. we were 5 people me the only catholic. an even do she was a good friend she question me a lot. i feel sometimes uncomfortable. when i decide to leave she took it so hard that our friendship broke. so no more. i have done scott hahn bible studies i like them although sometimes i wish i could have him in front of me to ask him questions . if anybody know of others please let me know:thumbsup: May the Sacred Heart of Jesus be Adored, Glorified, Loved & Preserved throughout the world, now & forever. Sacred Heart of Jesus, please pray for me. Saint Jude, Worker of Miracles, please pray for me. Saint Jude, Helper of the Hopeless, please pray for me. Amen."

 

[mayra_hart]

to Corrgc : Here is a link to a great Catholic Scripture Study program that was built around the BSF template. It is a 5 year plan. I’ve been in it for a couple of years and am enjoying the fruit it is producing in my life.

catholicscripturestudyinc.org/
can you do this studies on your own or do you have to do it in a group. ? May the Sacred Heart of Jesus be Adored, Glorified, Loved & Preserved throughout the world, now & forever. Sacred Heart of Jesus, please pray for me. Saint Jude, Worker of Miracles, please pray for me. Saint Jude, Helper of the Hopeless, please pray for me. Amen."

 

[Baby_Boomer]

I joined this group just so I could post a reply about Bible Study Fellowship! I am a Methodist.

After four years in BSF, I did not return last fall. While I loved the study itself, it was the “regulations” that I could no longer stand. We could not sit where we wanted to, all prayer requests had to be approved in advance by the small group leader, we were pressured to attend the once-a-month social fellowships, we were not allowed to bring bottled water into the church.

All these things were irritating and somewhat sad, but I put up with it because I really did love the lectures and study notes. Then I changed jobs. Before starting my new job, I had to attend a training class on the first three Tuesday nights in May, which happened to be BSF night. Attendance was mandatory. I didn’t want to miss the last three lectures, so I asked if I could transfer to the day class. I didn’t expect or want to be placed in a small group that late in the year, but I thought surely I could come for the lectures. Wrong. The teaching leader of the day class called me and said it was “against regulations” to switch classes so late in the year. I was upset but not really surprised. I decided not to return to BSF, and frankly I haven’t missed it.

The last two years I attended, I noticed a sharp decline in enrollment. So perhaps I wasn’t the only one who felt this way.

I would still recommend this study because it is thorough and you will learn so much about the Bible. But don’t expect them to be compassionate.

 

[boppaid]

I’m the Friendly Neighborhood Methodist, and you could not pay me to attend a Baptist Bible study.

Well,http://bestsmileys.com/blushing/6.gif actually, if youhttp://bestsmileys.com/blushing/6.gif paid me enough, I might go…But they’d throw me out mighty fast, once I started http://bestsmileys.com/talking/1.gi...ing/1.gifhttp://bestsmileys.com/talking/1.gif…

Just curious as to why y ou feel this way? Did you have a bad experience at one? I’ve been to a couple, and I LOVED them.

 

[Nam_Man]

I have a Baptist friend who is wanting me to attend BSF (Bible Study Fellowship). He say’s it’s a 7 year course and they go through the entire Bible in that 7 year period.
Has anyone heard of this? My undersyanding is they break down in small groups and have assignments. Not sure as a Catholic if this is a good thing.

Any feed back is appreciated.

Please read below:

"BSF International, formerly known as Bible Study Fellowship is "an interdenominational, not-for-profit, international, lay Christian organization [which] aims to acquaint people with the truth of the Bible through classes using personal study, discussion group participation, lecture, printed notes.“1 It sounds so good, but after participating in BSF for 4 years from Sept., 1991 - April, 1995, I recognized deviation from Scripture resulting in serious errors in BSF’s 1) organizational structure, 2) method of presenting the Bible study material, and 3) content of the Bible study material itself. Although BSF presents itself as a Biblically sound organization in both teaching and practice, the negative elements exposed in this article contaminate BSF and demonstrate that it simply is not faithful to the Word of God.”

I attended BSF for a season and then became a Discussion Leader for the next year. It does a pretty good job explaining the Bible, something which at the time I knew little about. My men were not happy with the legalism or the teaching leader but liked the fellowship. I did not have the maturity to help them in this area because I repeated the same message of guilt to them. It is open to all denominations and religions. The lessons were guild-driven and legalistic and left me with a sense that as a Christian I was pretty much a failure. It always found new ways to make me guilty. It took me years to get over the guilt trip and only as I read and understood the Book of Romans and the Grace of Christ did I fully recover. I would not recommend it to anybody and that is a shame because the Bible exposure is nice.

 

[reformed_BSFer]

I attended BSF for 12 years in what I like to call my “self-rightous Baptist” days. At the end of my time there I was increasingly uncomfortable and isolated.
I held a position, though not in leadership. Because I spoke personally with the Teaching Leader each week for those 12 years I felt ok telling her that I was going to be absent for awhile to take care of a personal problem. ( I was addicted to pain killers , sought treatment and now have be clean for 6 years)
You would have thought I had something contagious. I was never asked to do my job again, and when I asked to return, I was also told that it might not be the study for me.
HMMMM not sure if they thought I was selling pills on the side or what, but a funny thing happened. I did go back to class (for a month ) and during that time one class member offered me oxycotin and I overheard 2 others talking about how much pain meds they “used” on a daily basis.
…but I digress.
Unless you want to have your theology handed to you and expect to take it without dissent, I wouldn’t bother attending class.
I have found the Episcopal Church much more free and finally feel at home and accepted. I attend a study sponsored by my church and am learning so much more about the Bible and God.
My advice would be find a study in your local parish.

 

[falt007]

Hi,
I attend BSF, and enjoy the material. The discipline of learning the bible, answering specific questions reminds me of Theology classes growing up in the church. I have learned alot.
However I agree that the rules of fellowship are tight. It is not a atomosphere that is condusive to fellowship.
That is my 2 cents for what it is worth.

 

[foundthelight]

Ask your friend his opinion on the Eucharist (communion as they call it). Then ask him why you should attend a study which denies clear biblical teaching.

Don’t attend such a study.

 

[CalCatholic]

I would advise to check with your local Archdiocese, I attended a Catholic Bible Institute which was co-sponsered by the LA Archdiocese and Loyola Marymount University. It was a three year program,1 saturday a month (9:00 - 4:30 pm).

 

[Sathington]

I have completed the 7 BSF studies over the past few years. Yes it is structured, and yes it is strict, but the structure and the dedication required is what makes it worthwhile. There has been approximately 10% Catholic attendance at our study. The study is non-denominational, but definitely written by Protestants. That being said it is an outstanding Bible Study.
I became a Catholic last Easter after many years of thinking about it. My conversion was the result of the Holy Spirit providing me with a good friend who converted, personal experience, writers such as and Scott Hahn and Thomas Howard, and a compassionate Pastor who taught my RCIA class. I now watch ETWN regularly and my favorite show is Father Corapi’s Catachism show. I appreciate what I consider the orthodox nature of the shows on ETWN.
I still attend Bible Study Fellowship because unfortunately the theology training I have found in my diocese has been very “touchy-feely”, lacking in substance, and also very stuctured. For example, the Catholic Theology for Catechists class was hosted by our Parrish. When my Priest offered to perform a mass as a culmination of the 60 hour class the Master Catechists politely declined, saying it was not part of the curriculum. The class was good, but I believe it could have been much more meaningful. However, classes have to be structured, and just like BSF, the Master Catechists had material to present in a certain defined manner.
I continue in BSF because it keeps me in the Word. I now use a Catholic Study Bible, and when I have question I go to my Catechism to get the Church’s view. For me this is a good combination and I feel I am growing spiritually.
One last point, then I’ll get off my soapbox. Orthodox Catholic and Bible-believing Protestants really misunderstand each other. We have much more in common than either side is willing to admit, or perhaps more accurately, is willing to investigate.