Catholics not Knowing and Quoting Scripture

[Northwind]

This is a topic very close to my heart. I was with the Navigators for a few years while in the Air Force. We were committed to bible study, evangelization, prayer and scripture memory. We quoted scripture to edify our lives and live holier lives in Christ. There is a biblical basis for knowing scripture both from the Old and New Testaments. One of my favorites from the O.T. is Ps 119:20 “My soul is crushed with longing after your ordinances at all times.”

I was recieved into the Church this past Easter vigil. I do see a lack of individual study, but I also see a resurgence of bible study and a desire to know more which is very exciting. There are great benefits to knowing our bibles as has been described above. I pray that through people like Scott Hahn, Jeff Cavins, Fr. Corapi and others that Catholics would have a greater devotion to scripture and be able to defend our faith boldly and with confidence.

 

[Fidelis]

Cdn.freethinker:

Historically the church never encouraged catholics to read the bible…indeed most people couldn’t read, let alone Latin or Greek. It was not until the reformation that the bible became widly available. Prior to this it was the clergy and monks that had sole custody of the bible.

That happens to be a myth. Check out this link. The examples could be multiplied:

members.aol.com/johnprh/reading.html

 

[kage_ar]

Just this past Sunday, I was teaching my 5th grade CCD class - reading from the Bible, and one girl asked me “has anyone read the whole Bible?”

I smiled and said, yes, I’ve read it many times - she again questioned “the WHOLE thing?”

I answered, yes - when I was your age I read it at least once each year.

I looked around the table, you’d have thought I told those dear kids that I could swallow my own head.

 

[Pug]

I have found it a great help to be able to quote some scripture. If I am distressed and away from a bible, I can quote a comforting part to myself. It is nicer than summarizing a comforting part to myself.:yup:

Also, the ability to quote helps quell certain approaches used by doorstep evangelizers. It is helpful for them to encounter a real live Catholic who can quote scripture.

You can also admonish yourself…Choose this day whom you will serve! --or–Do not grow stubborn as you fathers did in the wilderness when at Meriba and Massah they challenged me and provoked me, although they had seen all my works! Stuff like that.

FYI, that is not the NAB above.

 

[wisdom_3_5]

puzzleannie:

If any of us out there can remember our Catholic school or CCD days - is it really true that the bible was not used or taught, or is it possible that it was there, we just did not make good use of our time in these classes? Did not listen to or read the scripture verse that usually is part of a lesson in virtually all RE textbooks? did not do our homework as assigned when it involved scripture reading? did not keep our Confirmation scripture journal as assigned? did not listen every Sunday at Mass when scripture was proclaimed and the homily explained it? Were given a bible for first communion or Confirmation and never opened it?

When I look back (like 20 years now) I definitely agree with this. I was a know-it-all teenager, I only did enough to get by because my parents expected it of me.

Still, the mass IS biblical. We all know, “Lord, I am not worthy to receive you . . .” “Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world” “Holy Holy Holy Lord” etc. Many older churches have stained glass windows that portray scenes from the bible (we all know the stories of Adam & Eve, Abraham, Issac, Moses and the exodus etc.). We know the infancy narratives, the Passion (from the stations of the cross as well as the rosary, which when you think about it is like holding the bible in your hand).

Just because Catholics can’t or don’t quote the bible doesn’t mean they don’t know it. I think most Catholics when given quotes and asked to explain it get nervous. Quotes can be taken out of context, who cares if you know verse number but not understand what it really means?

We Catholics may not quote scripture, but we LIVE it in the Mass, Confession, Baptism and all the sacraments.

 

[mark_a]

clwheestro:

Why is it that many Catholics do not know nor can quote scripture? I went to Catholic school, took Reliigion classes and have been Catholic all my life, but I don’t recall really studying the Bible. I did not really begin to learn scripture and study the Bible that gives me the ability to quote it until a few years ago while conversing with my Baptist friends. I began reading the bible more, listening to some evangelists and understanding more of the Bible. Also, why are there more books in the Catholic Bible than the King James Version?

Is knowing how to quote chapter and verse superior to being able to apply biblical principals to one’s life?

When my daughter was four years old, she could repeat ten minutes of dialog from a movie or tv show. When I asked her what the movie was about, she would say “I don’t know”.

My point is that rattling off scripture doesn’t necessarily help you apply it to your life.

 

[sirknightron]

Peace be with you

Why is it so important to have the ability to quote the Bible?
Are we do so with our lips or our actions?
At Mass we hear from the lips of Mother Church and we respond with action when we are sent out to proclaim the good news and with Christ in us.
Is there any better way?

Peace be with you
Ron

 

[Truthseeker4]

Quoting scripture why do it?

In times of need. Useful for encouragement, edification, times of stress and to flee temptation. There are many other uses for it not mentioned here. I follow the example of Jesus when he was tempted. He quoted scripture.

One of my favorites that I have memorized in times of stress is this one.

PS 23:1-6 RSV
1 The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. 2 He maketh me to lie down in green F71 pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters. 3 He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake. 4 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. 5 Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest F72 my head with oil; my cup runneth over. 6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever.

Melissa

 

[sententia]

Pug,

That’s my favorite psalm!
The Lord is God, the Mighty God, great King over all the gods…

I love the LOTH’s!!

 

[Brendan]

Cdn.freethinker:

Historically the church never encouraged catholics to read the bible…indeed most people couldn’t read, let alone Latin or Greek. It was not until the reformation that the bible became widly available. Prior to this it was the clergy and monks that had sole custody of the bible.

You’re joking right?

Yes most people could not read, and thus a written Bible was useless to them.

Of those who could, most could not afford one. Think about it. They were written by hand on sheep skin leather (about 40 sheep worth per Bible)

That does not mean that Bibles were not in the hands of the laity. It was in every major school or university, availble to all to read.

In fact, it was the primary text for anyone learning to read at all.

Bibles started to become common before the Reformation, mostly due to the printing press. What was the first book Guttenburg printed - The Bible.

From the time of the invention of the printing press (1457) to the time Luther left the Church (1522), there were no less than 9 seperate printings of the complete Bible IN GERMAN (5 in High German, 4 in Low German).

It Guttenburg who put the Bible into people;s hands, not Luther or his Reformation.