Do I not have enough respect for the bible?

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Flopfoot

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Anyone who has seen some of my posts, would know that I am not a fan of the bible. I don’t really like reading it, especially the book of Romans. And it’s not just because some bits are boring (but there are definitely plenty of boring bits I have read before). It feels like I am doing a Protestant thing, unless I read the deuterocanonicals because they don’t have those books. I do realise that the bible as been around since long before the Protestants and I also realise that it is the word of God, but it’s just that I associate the bible with Protestants because they use the bible to try and convert me. I guess I am a bit afraid of reading it because I don’t want to see anything which would support what those Protestants were saying, and I don’t trust myself to interpret it correctly. Sometimes, in a thread I will specifically ask people to not post Scripture unless they give official Catholic interpretations of that Scripture, because I see the bible as a 2 edged sword, it can cause lots of problems if it is interpreted incorrectly and according to CCC 100 only the Pope and Bishops can really make authentic interpretations of Scripture (other people might get it right sometimes especially with straightforward passages, but there is no guarantee or anything that they will get it right). Another way I look at it is that there is 1 deposit of faith and truth and 2 distinct modes of transmission, Scripture and Apostolic Tradition. And all I really want is the truth and I don’t really care which mode of transmission it came through - I want the final product, the Catholic teaching, I don’t need to see where it says it in the AT or the bible to believe it. I figure that I don’t really need to read the bible myself if someone else (Catholic with authority to interpret it) has read it and can explain it to me. And that even if I do read it it won’t necessarily help since I don’t know if I’m reading it right. Another thing I think is that like all devotions, reading the bible is optional, and anyway we get a bit of Scripture once a week when we go to mass which is enough for me.

Anyway, sorry for the long paragraph, I couldn’t think of when to break it up into smaller paragraphs. But basically I think I have written pretty much most of what I think of the bible, why I don’t really like reading it and etc, above there. So can anyone answer my thread question, do or don’t I have enough respect for the bible, is there anything I have said wrong, etc? If you want to you can get on a bible-loving “high horse” and pick me to pieces, I don’t mind a bit of a bash (-: but I am probably more likely to be influenced by someone who can explain themselves with solid Catholic teaching. As far as I know though, my attitudes, thoughts and actions toward the bible are not sinful (if I thought they were I would change it).
 
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Flopfoot:
Anyone who has seen some of my posts, would know that I am not a fan of the bible. I don’t really like reading it, especially the book of Romans. And it’s not just because some bits are boring (but there are definitely plenty of boring bits I have read before). It feels like I am doing a Protestant thing, unless I read the deuterocanonicals because they don’t have those books. I do realise that the bible as been around since long before the Protestants and I also realise that it is the word of God, but it’s just that I associate the bible with Protestants because they use the bible to try and convert me. I guess I am a bit afraid of reading it because I don’t want to see anything which would support what those Protestants were saying, and I don’t trust myself to interpret it correctly. Sometimes, in a thread I will specifically ask people to not post Scripture unless they give official Catholic interpretations of that Scripture, because I see the bible as a 2 edged sword, it can cause lots of problems if it is interpreted incorrectly and according to CCC 100 only the Pope and Bishops can really make authentic interpretations of Scripture (other people might get it right sometimes especially with straightforward passages, but there is no guarantee or anything that they will get it right). Another way I look at it is that there is 1 deposit of faith and truth and 2 distinct modes of transmission, Scripture and Apostolic Tradition. And all I really want is the truth and I don’t really care which mode of transmission it came through - I want the final product, the Catholic teaching, I don’t need to see where it says it in the AT or the bible to believe it. I figure that I don’t really need to read the bible myself if someone else (Catholic with authority to interpret it) has read it and can explain it to me. And that even if I do read it it won’t necessarily help since I don’t know if I’m reading it right. Another thing I think is that like all devotions, reading the bible is optional, and anyway we get a bit of Scripture once a week when we go to mass which is enough for me.

Anyway, sorry for the long paragraph, I couldn’t think of when to break it up into smaller paragraphs. But basically I think I have written pretty much most of what I think of the bible, why I don’t really like reading it and etc, above there. So can anyone answer my thread question, do or don’t I have enough respect for the bible, is there anything I have said wrong, etc? If you want to you can get on a bible-loving “high horse” and pick me to pieces, I don’t mind a bit of a bash (-: but I am probably more likely to be influenced by someone who can explain themselves with solid Catholic teaching. As far as I know though, my attitudes, thoughts and actions toward the bible are not sinful (if I thought they were I would change it).
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I don’t think its up to us to tell you if you have enough respect for the Bible or not. You and God know that.
What does seem disappointing is that you equate reading the Bible with being a protestant. That is wrong. All Catholics have an obligation to read the Bible and I find it hard to believe anyone can find it boring. Just because you might not understand a particular part does not necessarily mean its boring. I would actually say the Bible is the most exciting collection of books that exist.
On your other point about only wanting to hear the official Church interpretation of scripture verses I think there are very few only. As far as I know not many verses have a defined official interpretation but I’ll let the more learned posters talk about this as I’m not sure.
 
Hey Flopfoot -

I understand where you’re coming from. It takes a lot of courage to admit your feelings about the Bible and why you associate it with Protestants.

But consider once again the fact that it was the Catholic Church that brought the world the Bible. Rightfully, the Church does have the authority to authetically interpret it’s passages. But it is not exclusively the Magisteriums to read. The Bible was made for all believers in Christ, for all to receive it’s messages. Consider, too, that the Scripture you hear at every Mass comes from that same Bible you’re trying so hard to disassociate yourself from. If it wasn’t for the Bible in part, we wouldn’t really have that fullness of understanding of the teachings of Christ.

Try doing this - next time a Protestant tries to convert you by using the cut-and-paste method of quoting Scripture from the Bible, find out what the true teachings of Christ say researching what the Church actually says about it. It could be a good method for you to try and turn-around your feelings about the Bible. And, no, doing so is not a “protestant”-thing - it’s a Catholic-Christian-thing! 👍

scripturecatholic.com/
 
I, too, find all the scripture dissecting very confusing. When I hear the Catholic interpretation, I think, “of course!” But, when I hear the Protestant interpretation (when it disputes Catholicism), I am confused. I know it is wrong intrpretation, but it twists my brain up. So, I don’t worry about proving doctrine from scripture. I’m completely trustful of the Church on doctrine. I read the Bible to know Jesus better. I like the** Great Adventure ** by Jeff Cavins. It gives perspective to Salvation History. Then the Bible is a great (very true) story than a garden for harvesting doctrine.

My advice is to not try to discern doctrine from scripture–use the Catechism. But, to read the Bible to know Jesus.

I don’t do apologetics. I’ll explain a Catholic teaching for clarification and if someone persists, I get them a tape or a book to explain it. I try to find common ground with Protestants for discussion. It is definitely not my calling to debate doctrine from the Bible.
 
Anyone who has seen some of my posts, would know that I am not a fan of the bible. I don’t really like reading it, especially the book of Romans. And it’s not just because some bits are boring (but there are definitely plenty of boring bits I have read before). It feels like I am doing a Protestant thing…
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Hey, FF, don’t sweat it! While I have never found the Bible boring (except maybe Leviticus 😛 ), I too had a real problem getting back into the Bible after 20 years in the Assemblies of God. Every verse I read was tainted with their interpretation, and worse, with their particular type of manipulation of my psyche. I told people at the time that the Bible had been poisoned for me. In fact, I didn’t sit down and read anything from the Bible for years after being received into the Church. I knew much of it practically by heart (and still do), so it wasn’t like I was missing out on anything at the time. Slowly, as I heard the Bible read at Mass and expounded upon by good, solid priests, the influence of the AoG melted away, as indeed it did in the rest of my life. So, don’t give up hope of ever being able to read the Bible again. Give yourself lots of time to get used to being a Catholic and to absorb Catholic teaching with regard to the Bible and one day you will be able to return to it and enjoy reading it once again. 😉
 
I would suggest that you forget about reading the Bible this year, if that’s how you feel about it. Instead, buy a copy of the Catechism of the Catholic Church (the big green book) and read it every day for the rest of the year – half an hour a day, or an hour if you can make the time. That will give you Catholic teaching. Once you’ve saturated your mind with it, I think you will feel safer venturing into scripture.
 
I understand your feelings. What I have found useful is reading the daily mass readings every day. That way you are getting a good selection of the bible but in context with the mass and the church. It only takes a few minutes. It’s also much more fruitful than just haphazardly reading verses and books (which I did as an evangelical). Or check out the Liturgy of the hours if you prefer the psalms.
 
Flop,
I understand your feelings, but to amplify what some of the other posters have said, I would recommend two things:
  1. The big green book (the Catechism) is incredible with great indices and fantastic footnotes linked directly to Biblical passages. That gives you the Biblical foundation to all that the Church teaches.
  2. You can go at it in the other direction, starting with the Bible by getting the Catholic Study Bible which in context helps with interpretation according to the Church teachings.
Put the two together and you can only come away with LOVING the Bible. The Bible has always been Catholic and is one of the pillars of our faith. It’s becoming one of my best friends!

May God bless you!
 
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