Do Protestants read the Bible more than Catholics?

[Bran_Stark]

I’d guess that the average Protestant does read the Bible more than does the average Catholic. That being said, I wonder if the relative sales figures of Protestant and Catholic Bibles are really a valid way to measure the difference. It’s possible that Protestants tend to prefer to have multiple copies of the Bible and yet read them no more often than they would if they owned but one copy. Also, surely some Catholics prefer to read from a Protestant translation like the KJV, simply because they perceive superior literary quality in it compared to what Catholic booksellers are offering.

 

[po18guy]

From the introduction to the 1967 Papal Edition of the Confraternity Bible:

"Catholics are sometimes embarrassed by the invidious comparisons between the Douay Bible and the King James Version, which is widely if uncritically acclaimed for its literary excellence. Actually, both translations have their merits; and, if the King James Version is “profound” and “majestic"in its translation of the the Pentateuch, it often languishes in the New Testament, where the Catholic version is the most felicitous.”

Simply put, the two major English-speaking nations have been heavily influenced by the decrees of the British crown, while English-speaking Catholics have been the persecuted minority. IMO, the English language scriptures witnessed their zenith in the 1941 Confraternity New Testament, closely paralleled by the Knox Bible. Nearly all others have suffered through revisions - and needed them, frankly.

 

[Ferde_Rombola]

If I may add however, if I remember correctly, [omitting the deuterocanonical books] wasn’t so much wanting to get rid of the books, but publishing companies wanting to save space and paper in the late 19th century.

It is generally accepted that Martin Luther omitted those books because they contain direct support for Catholic doctrines which Luther rejected. He wanted to throw out the Letter of James, too, because is says we are NOT saved by faith alone, but was prevented from doing so by his followers.

 

[Ferde_Rombola]

I’d guess that the average Protestant does read the Bible more than does the average Catholic.

I believe one reason for that, assuming it’s true, is Protestants allow each man personal interpretation of Scripture. In that context it’s incumbent on Protestants to read the Bible in order to find out what they believe. The result is over 40,000 denominations.

The Holy Spirit, through the Magesterium, interprets Scripture for Catholics.

 

[Moonbug]

As mentioned above, since the Bible is the sole authority to most lay Protestants belief system, then I think maybe more attention is given to the Bible than the lay Catholics, since Catholics should be concerned about not only the Bible but the whole Catholic Doctrine with the liturgy of the Church. As for me personally, I was a Baptist who was in ministry, and I was troubled by the lack of enthusiasm by fellow Baptists for the Bible. And also as for how much time I studied Scripture as a Baptist vs me as a Catholic, I’m even more zealous about the Bible now as a Catholic, and that is really saying something because I was very zealous as a Baptist.

Born and raised in the Texas bible belt, I generally agree with you. However, as a Catholic, I had many protestant friends of all ages and found them usually far more well versed in the bible than I was. And I must add that not once was I shown any disrespect for being Catholic. My small town was mainly Baptist and Evangelical, and because of these dear friends, I grew up with great respect for Protestants. Usually, when religion was discussed, I found only politeness. I know this was not always true in many places, but it was in my home town. I grew up with the realization that there are many Protestants who are better Christians than I am.

 

[peace2u2]

I believe one reason for that, assuming it’s true, is Protestants allow each man personal interpretation of Scripture. In that context it’s incumbent on Protestants to read the Bible in order to find out what they believe. The result is over 40,000 denominations.

The Holy Spirit, through the Magesterium, interprets Scripture for Catholics.

Yes, and what I don’t really understand is if Protestants give the Bible sole authority than why do they do the opposite of what His Word instructs them to do?

2 Peter 1:20
Know this first of all, that there is no prophecy of scripture that is a matter of personal interpretation

1 Corinthians 11:2
I commend you because you remember me in everything and maintain the traditions even as I have delivered them to you

2 Thessalonians 2:15
So then, brethren, stand firm and hold to the traditions which you were taught by us, either by word of mouth or by letter.

2 Thessalonians 3:6
Now we command you, brethren, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you keep away from any brother who is living in idleness and not in accord with the tradition that you received from us.

 

[michaelhager]

Last night at Costco here in town I noticed a large, leather bound, gilt edged KJV bible on the book table. It was a truly beautiful piece of the publishers art.

I was tempted to write in the cover “On sale, Defective, incomplete version.”

I live smack in the middle of the Bible Belt and it’s just something we Catholics here live with every day. Coming from a Protestant background and converting late in life, I am even more aware of the discrepancies. Most protestants carry some version of the bible with them to church every Sunday, and most preachers preach pretty stirring sermons based on scripture which is recited, reviewed and followed by the congregation in their personal bibles.

But for comparison, let us not forget that from the opening welcome, to the closing blessing, every line of the Catholic mass is from scriptures. Every word spoken, recited, sung and responded. (The only exception of course is when the homily is about the building fund. )

Do Protestants read the Bible more? Perhaps. But the question really comes down to who reads more of the Bible?

Michael Hager

 

[dronald]

Born and raised in the Texas bible belt, I generally agree with you. However, as a Catholic, I had many protestant friends of all ages and found them usually far more well versed in the bible than I was. And I must add that not once was I shown any disrespect for being Catholic. My small town was mainly Baptist and Evangelical, and because of these dear friends, I grew up with great respect for Protestants. Usually, when religion was discussed, I found only politeness. I know this was not always true in many places, but it was in my home town. I grew up with the realization that there are many Protestants who are better Christians than I am.

 

[Reuben_J]

Recently I decided I wanted to get a new Bible for my general reading. I have a good NAB Study Bible and a compact NRSV Bible that I received as a gift years ago. After doing more research on the different translations and the strengths/weaknesses of each, I decided I wanted to get a RSV-CE. I specifically wanted a medium size leather bound RSV-CE. All that was left was to buy it…

After visiting 3 mega book stores and multiple smaller Christian book stores, I came to the depressing revelation that you have to hunt if you want to find a Catholic Bible. These stores had hundreds if not thousands of Bibles including a large variety of KJV, NKJV, NIV, ESV, The Living Bible, so forth and so on, but on average they had less than 1 shelf of Catholic approved translations and in some cases not even that. I could hunt through the aisles and at times find a random Jerusalem Bible or a New American Bible that found its way in but these were rare.

This was not just inconvenient for myself personally trying to find a new Bible but it honestly made me a little depressed to realize how lopsided these national book chains bible selections are. However, myself being in business, I do not know if I can hold this against the stores themselves. I know these national chains do extensive research to determine which inventory to buy to meet customers needs and drive sales. Which brings me to the depressing part of my revelation. Do Protestants simply purchase and read the Bible more than Catholics?

I could see a few different arguments but I am not sure if I know of one that would hold up to multiple book chains making the decision that if they want to sell more Bibles then they need to carry more than 10x the KJV than the NAB. It was an alarming discovery and one that I am very sad about. Now I will be turning to the internet to purchase my new Bible, but what do you all think about this reality? :ehh:

Try a Catholic bookstore.

Maybe one of the reasons why there are so many versions of Protestant Bibles is that different denominations may prefer certain Bible translations of their own. That may explain the many Protestant Bibles onsidering there are many Protestant denominations.

It may be true that Protestants read the Bible more than us especially since many of their denominations place emphasis on the Bible alone and without the Sacraments,

 

[po18guy]

It is generally accepted that Martin Luther omitted those books because they contain direct support for Catholic doctrines which Luther rejected. He wanted to throw out the Letter of James, too, because is says we are NOT saved by faith alone, but was prevented from doing so by his followers.

Luther never omitted any of the books. What he did do was, by his own authority, declare that the seven OT books were NOT inspired by God. He segregated them from all of the books that he considered to be inspired, but did leave them between the covers. A sort of scriptural apartheid, if you will, except that they were considered separate but not equal. He also wanted to delete seven NT books (the Apocalypse, James, Hebrews, Jude, 2 Peter, 2 and 3 John, if I remember correctly). He was heavily and finally persuaded not to do this by Philipp Melanchthon.

The declaration of “non-inspiration” clearly laid the foundation for their eventual omission from nearly all protestant bibles. He hated the Pope with such a visceral hatred that he essentially became what he hated.

 

[RPRPsych]

To help the OP out a little: I’ve noted the same.

Catholic gift shops generally have very few Bibles here: The New Revised Standard Version (OK, but far from great), the Catholic Community Bible (better) and the Good News Bible + Deuterocanonicals and Apocrypha (some people swear by it, but I’ll pass!)

On the other hand, the one time I walked into a Protestant Bible store, I came upon a multitude of options: NIV, KJV, NKJV, Good News, NASB, NLT…not to mention the “Women’s Version”, “Scholar’s Version”, etc., etc.

Que faire? Well, the Internet was my friend. I bought several good Catholic Bibles (Douay-Rheims, RSV-CE, RSV-2CE, Jerusalem, New Jerusalem, NAB-RE) from a secular online dealer, and I haven’t looked back since.

 

[Judas_Thaddeus]

I’ll keep my answer as basic as possible:The Catholic Church has been around for almost 2,000 years.
Protestantism has been around for ONLY 500 years.

The Catholic Church has beliefs that Protestants find either heretical, blasphemous, or simply in error.
Is it not clear yet that Protestants are missing something?

2,000 years VS. 500 years, which has read more of the Bible?

 

[Moonbug]

As a cradle Catholic I agree with you on the point your are making. We have praying for the dead, the communion of saints, and transubstantiation which they don’t believe in, with the exception of the some Episcopal and some Lutheran churches. Of course, the Orthodox are just as Catholic as we in the West are. And you must remember the Protestants were fully justified in breaking away from Rome. It was our Church that was at fault for this unfortunate brouhaha.

But that doesn’t mean these Christians suffer greatly from their separation. Where Catholics may enjoy these aids to living a good Christian life, most devout Christian Protestants make up for these deficiencies (as we may perceive them) with placing a greater dependence on scripture.

I don’t think its the religion a man professes that is an important as the way he lives his faith. Even before Vatican II the Catholic Church never rebaptized converts if they had been baptized in a Protestant faith. It did occur when their was some doubt. We have always recognized them as Christians. However, Vatican II made it clear that if a person is baptized a Christian, in the name of “The Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit” they are all equally Christian whether they be Catholic, Orthodox, or Protestant. And that’s all that matters.

 

[po18guy]

Protestants may experience more of the bible. Catholics experience more of Jesus Christ - in the mass when Christ Himself is made present, as well as adoring Him in the Blessed Sacrament outside of mass. Since the Word of God is not a simple text, written by the hand of man but rather, a living human and divine Person, encountering Christ goes far beyond the bible. The bible is finite - its words can be twisted - while Christ is both eternal and infinite - direct and crystal clear. To that end, here is an excellent article on the subject by Monsignor Charles Pope of the Archdiocese of Washington, DC.

blog.adw.org/2013/11/the-word-of-god-is-not-a-mere-text-he-is-a-person-a-meditation-on-the-personal-relationship-we-must-have-with-the-word/

 

[ajaxbogs]

Born and raised in the Texas bible belt, I generally agree with you. However, as a Catholic, I had many protestant friends of all ages and found them usually far more well versed in the bible than I was. And I must add that not once was I shown any disrespect for being Catholic. My small town was mainly Baptist and Evangelical, and because of these dear friends, I grew up with great respect for Protestants. Usually, when religion was discussed, I found only politeness. I know this was not always true in many places, but it was in my home town. I grew up with the realization that there are many Protestants who are better Christians than I am.

As a devout convert who was a devout Protestant, unfortunately I heartily agree with you (living in CA & TX). The rare Catholic-bashing was done behind the scenes & most Protestants were open to hearing about the faith, especially if the Catholic had a good relationship with Christ, vice knowing a few “trivial” things about the faith (like most Catholics do). In fact when I engage devout Protestants, I encourage them to tell me what they dislike about the Catholic faith & usually dispell most of their misconceptions. They almost always go away with a greater respect for my faith.

Back to the blog: Protestants read the Bible waaaaay more than Catholics and buy waaaaay more Bibles. DUH!! Silly is the “feel good about my faith” argument that says we as Catholics don’t need to read the Bible much because we get it at Mass & have devotionals, etc. We’ve got to kill & bury that lazy, ignorant belief, as beliefs like that are a cause of the mass exodus from the American Catholic church. Intimacy with the Word promotes iintimacy with Christ, which builds the Church.

 

[michaelhager]

Silly is the “feel good about my faith” argument that says we as Catholics don’t need to read the Bible much because we get it at Mass & have devotionals, etc. We’ve got to kill & bury that lazy, ignorant belief, as beliefs like that are a cause of the mass exodus from the American Catholic church. Intimacy with the Word promotes iintimacy with Christ, which builds the Church.

Amen brother…

As a convert, I am aware of the amount of bible reading that goes on in both Catholic and Protestant churches. The idea that Catholics don’t NEED to read the bible because we get it at every mass is ludicrous as you say. Every Christian NEEDS to read the bible as often as possible. The difference being that Protestant denominations encourage reading and interpreting while Catholicism encourages reading and understanding. The Bible has been interpreted for 2000+ years by some very learned scholars who have included in their studies the nuances of ancient languages, the meaning of words, their connection to historical events of the time and the non biblical writings of many of the same people who’s work is included in the Canon.

To believe that a simple reading of the bible, in a modern English (or any language) translation, without benefit of those centuries of knowledge will reveal the true meaning of any verse of scripture is simply ignorant. To be sure, there are many verses that can be read for comfort, inspiration and happiness without digging into the original language, but there are far too many verses that taken out of context and twisted to suit the interpretation of a non scholarly person (myself included) that are the root of 40,000+ denominations who believe that their interpretation alone is the true word of God.

This is one of the primary reasons that led me to conversion to Catholicism. I came to understand that it was historically accurate that the Bible is of the Church, the Church did not come from the Bible. Its not even logically possible that it could be otherwise. They must exist in harmony, each interpreting the other in support of the whole.

It is only after the fact that we have been born, grown up and accepted the existence of both, that without logic, we can read the bible and see where our faith comes from. We are ignorant of the hundreds of years that the church existed before there even was a bible. And it is with that knowledge that we can see that, yes, as Catholics we must read the Bible more often but when we do, we must partner it with a copy of the Catechism at all times.

Michael Hager

 

[Moonbug]

As a devout convert who was a devout Protestant, unfortunately I heartily agree with you (living in CA & TX). The rare Catholic-bashing was done behind the scenes & most Protestants were open to hearing about the faith, especially if the Catholic had a good relationship with Christ, vice knowing a few “trivial” things about the faith (like most Catholics do). In fact when I engage devout Protestants, I encourage them to tell me what they dislike about the Catholic faith & usually dispell most of their misconceptions. They almost always go away with a greater respect for my faith.

Back to the blog: Protestants read the Bible waaaaay more than Catholics and buy waaaaay more Bibles. DUH!! Silly is the “feel good about my faith” argument that says we as Catholics don’t need to read the Bible much because we get it at Mass & have devotionals, etc. We’ve got to kill & bury that lazy, ignorant belief, as beliefs like that are a cause of the mass exodus from the American Catholic church. Intimacy with the Word promotes iintimacy with Christ, which builds the Church.

Well said!

 

[Isaiah45_9]

As a devout convert who was a devout Protestant, unfortunately I heartily agree with you (living in CA & TX). The rare Catholic-bashing was done behind the scenes & most Protestants were open to hearing about the faith, especially if the Catholic had a good relationship with Christ, vice knowing a few “trivial” things about the faith (like most Catholics do). In fact when I engage devout Protestants, I encourage them to tell me what they dislike about the Catholic faith & usually dispell most of their misconceptions. They almost always go away with a greater respect for my faith.

Back to the blog: Protestants read the Bible waaaaay more than Catholics and buy waaaaay more Bibles. DUH!! Silly is the “feel good about my faith” argument that says we as Catholics don’t need to read the Bible much because we get it at Mass & have devotionals, etc. We’ve got to kill & bury that lazy, ignorant belief, as beliefs like that are a cause of the mass exodus from the American Catholic church. Intimacy with the Word promotes iintimacy with Christ, which builds the Church.

[sign]Ignorance of Scriptures is ignorance of Christ. St. Jerome[/sign]

 

[ProVobis]

Protestants may experience more of the bible. Catholics experience more of Jesus Christ - in the mass when Christ Himself is made present, as well as adoring Him in the Blessed Sacrament outside of mass. Since the Word of God is not a simple text, written by the hand of man but rather, a living human and divine Person, encountering Christ goes far beyond the bible. The bible is finite - its words can be twisted - while Christ is both eternal and infinite - direct and crystal clear. To that end, here is an excellent article on the subject by Monsignor Charles Pope of the Archdiocese of Washington, DC.

blog.adw.org/2013/11/the-word-of-god-is-not-a-mere-text-he-is-a-person-a-meditation-on-the-personal-relationship-we-must-have-with-the-word/

Not to mention that a lot of Christian faith is not found in scripture; for example, the Holy Trinity.

 

[Brandall]

I’m not sure why it matters as everyone needs to study the bible more. Most everyone found on this forum probably studies more than the average so that is a good thing.

My father got up at 4 in the morning so he could spend two hours a day reading and studying scripture without interruption. He is the only man I’ve personally met that literally wore out several bibles. I wish that I had his knowledge and stamina.

As to what Catholics do at home, I have no idea.