Does God really want Bible-Thumpers?

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One of my problems before I became a more serious Christian was that I didn’t want to be lumped with all those “Bible-thumpers”. In fact, I don’t even memorize Scripture. But I’ve noticed that some of the more serious Christians seem to fit the negative stereotype that this pejorative term is for. Am I going about this wrong?
 
Well I guess you have to consider what bible reading is for. One thing is that it is a devotion, like praying and going to Mass and etc. are devotions. So, what devotions you like are up to you, though the way God made you might mean that some devotions are better suited to you than others. As a devotion, reading the bible can be quite inspirational as it allows God to ‘speak’ to you in a way that is different to in other devotions. But other people might find it boring, confusing or just prefer regular prayer better. The other thing that the bible is for, is for increasing our understanding of the truth that’s been revealed to us - of course the Church has its bible scholars who try to interpret it as best they can and then this may add clarification to its teachings. However, for an ordinary person like you or me (ie, not a bible scholar), in my opinion reading the bible is one of the worst ways to try and discover and understand the truth that’s revealed to us because it is way too easy to misinterpret (just look at how many Protestant denominations there are as proof of the number of different (wrong) ways the bible can be interpreted). So my advice is that unless you feel called to be a bible scholar, avoid using it for this second purpose I’ve mentioned. When you want to know the truth, just stick to what the Church teaches in simple manner. And if you like bible reading as a devotion then by all means read it as a devotion. But don’t feel bad if you don’t particularly like that devotion. You don’t need to read the bible to be a good Christian.
 
porthos11 said:
God loves Bible-thumpers.
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Well, God loves everybody, so that’s not really relevant, is it? :whacky: 😃

I think those who shove the Bible down others’ throats ought to stop doing it–they do more harm than good.

On the other hand, sometimes we need someone with fire and passion to get us up off our duffs and doing good things for God. So, within reason, they can have their place, if their message is truthful.
 
rocklobster said:
One of my problems before I became a more serious Christian was that I didn’t want to be lumped with all those “Bible-thumpers”. In fact, I don’t even memorize Scripture. But I’ve noticed that some of the more serious Christians seem to fit the negative stereotype that this pejorative term is for. Am I going about this wrong?
Click to expand...
Rocklobster:

I know that some of the more “Serious Christians” may fit the stereotype of “Bible Thumpers”, but haven’t you noticed how many thoughtful, “Serious Christians” didn’t even come close to fitting the stereotype? What about Pope Benedict XVI, Pope John Paul II, Blessed Mother Theresa of Calcutta or St. Padre Pio? What About St. Teresa Benedicta of the Cross or St. Maximillian Kolbe or any of a number of Saints you can find on your Calendar? What about the people who produce and broadcast the shows from EWTN, or even the folks who go to Daily Mass at your local parishes?

Do you really think any of them fit society’s uncharitable stereotype of “Bible Thumpers”? Or, could it be that you’re cheating yourself out of the treasure that is God’s Word either because some of those who have tried to live by it haven’t done such a good job, or because you’ve bought a LIE from “The Liar and the Father of all Lies”?

If you read these fora, you’ll find that a lot of very good people here have not only memorized large sections of scripture, but have familiarized themselves with the documents of various Church Councils and with the writings of the Church Fathers. And, Unless you’re looking for fault, you’ll find them to be decent and charitable people who are trying to do the best they can to walk with God:

He has showed you, O man, what is good.
And what does the LORD require of you?
To act justly and to love mercy
and to walk humbly with your God.
Micah 6:8 (New International Version)

I hope this makes everything clesr.

Your Brother in Christ, Michael
 
Della said:
Well, God loves everybody, so that’s not really relevant, is it? :whacky: 😃
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Heh heh.

He loves country music too. Where’d I hear that?

Anyway, I’m pretty sure the Bible-thumping pleases the Lord when done out of love for his Word and his Church.

Beating people on the head with it is another story.
 
Flopfoot said:
Well I guess you have to consider what bible reading is for. One thing is that it is a devotion, like praying and going to Mass and etc. are devotions. So, what devotions you like are up to you, though the way God made you might mean that some devotions are better suited to you than others. As a devotion, reading the bible can be quite inspirational as it allows God to ‘speak’ to you in a way that is different to in other devotions. But other people might find it boring, confusing or just prefer regular prayer better. The other thing that the bible is for, is for increasing our understanding of the truth that’s been revealed to us - of course the Church has its bible scholars who try to interpret it as best they can and then this may add clarification to its teachings. However, for an ordinary person like you or me (ie, not a bible scholar), in my opinion reading the bible is one of the worst ways to try and discover and understand the truth that’s revealed to us because it is way too easy to misinterpret (just look at how many Protestant denominations there are as proof of the number of different (wrong) ways the bible can be interpreted). So my advice is that unless you feel called to be a bible scholar, avoid using it for this second purpose I’ve mentioned. When you want to know the truth, just stick to what the Church teaches in simple manner. And if you like bible reading as a devotion then by all means read it as a devotion. But don’t feel bad if you don’t particularly like that devotion. You don’t need to read the bible to be a good Christian.
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Flopfoot:

I know part of this is off topic, but the Protestants get all messed up in their interpretation of Sacred Scripture because they lost their connection with the Church that Christ promised “the Gates of Hell would not prevail against”. They no longer have access to the Teaching Authority of the Catholic Church (The form of Apostolic Succession Anglicans can’t quite grasp) which is the guarantor of truth and a fortress against heresy. and, Most of them also don’t have access to the other form of Apostolic Succession, the passing on of the ability to confect the Sacraments of the Church, which means they don’t have the access to the normal means of obtaining grace.

Protestants have none of the correctives of the Church that Christ founded. That is no reason not to do the form of Scripture study encouraged by many of the great Saints or the Magisterium of the Church, Leccio Divine.

In the Scriptures, it states that, “My people perish for lack of knowledge.” Do you really think the Magisterium didn’t know what it was doing when it urged Catholics to study the Bible and provided aids such as My Daily Catholic Bible (An RSV-CE broken up into 365 chunks each of the OT & NT), the 3-Year Cycle of Readings for the Liturgy and various translations and commentaries on Scripture.

Remember when Adam and Even fell in the Garden? Compare what God tells Adam with Eve’s response to the Serpent.

And the LORD God commanded the man, saying, “You may freely eat of every tree of the garden; but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat of it you shall die.”
Gen. 2:16-17

And the woman said to the serpent, “We may eat of the fruit of the trees of the garden; but God said, `You shall not eat of the fruit of the tree which is in the midst of the garden, neither shall you touch it, lest you die.’”
Gen. 3:2-3 RSV

Can you see where Eve didn’t know what God had said?

And, there’s what the Apostle, St. Paul had to say:

All scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.
2 Timothy 3:16-17 RSV

And, If we want to help bring Prostetants into the Church, How does it help if we don’t know the Scriptures which so thoroughly prove the the truths of faith? How is it helpful to not know the context, or how something has been mistranslated, or the plain meaning of large sections of Scripture when Protestants take parts of the Scriptures out of context to support their position (then the context shows the Church to be right)?

If we love Prostestants, aren’t we going to do whatever it takes, within reason, to bring them to a knowledge of the full faith? We aren’t going to leave them twisting and drowning in their error? Are we? Or, will we avoid the study that will allow the Lord to use us as their lifesavers?

Please Note: I’m not saying Bible Stugy instead of Prayer. Leccio Divine as recommended by the Saints and the Magisterium of the Church involves reading, study, prayer, meditation and entering into the presence of God. The only one who wants to keep us from prayerful study of the Scripture is Satan.

Your Brother in Christ, Michael
 
I agree we should read our Bibles. Then pray over it as in Lectio Divina, meditate, and when confused, consult the Church on interpretations. There is nothing Catholic about avoiding the Bible. The Mass itself is saturated with Sacred Scripture.
 
Hi,
What exactly do you consider to be a bible-thumper? Do they act a certain way or do they just read the bible? I have heard the term and I think my catholic friend called me one once. But Im not sure how you guys characterize a bible-thumper.

Thanks
 
Reading scriptures is good for the soul, and we should do so as often as we can. Our Lady tells us that everything we need for salvation is in scriptures. BUT memorizing passages and quoting them out of context to prove some point or to point out someone else fault(s) is way out of line.

The Pharisees were notorius for this often pointing out very literal interpretations or hard line adherence to the law, and Christ takes them to task for such tactics.
 
rocklobster said:
One of my problems before I became a more serious Christian was that I didn’t want to be lumped with all those “Bible-thumpers”. In fact, I don’t even memorize Scripture. But I’ve noticed that some of the more serious Christians seem to fit the negative stereotype that this pejorative term is for. Am I going about this wrong?
Click to expand...
You are on the right track, bible thumpers hate the truth especially about themselves.

Please tell me if there are posts in Jan 14. This one is posted in October.
I do’nt want to waste my time posting that goes nowhere.
Thank you
 
The problem I have with Bible thumpers is that they do not use reason just verses.
 
wcknight said:
reading scriptures is good for the soul, and we should do so as often as we can. Our lady tells us that everything we need for salvation is in scriptures. But memorizing passages and quoting them out of context to prove some point or to point out someone else fault(s) is way out of line.

The pharisees were notorius for this often pointing out very literal interpretations or hard line adherence to the law, and christ takes them to task for such tactics.
Click to expand...
i find it to be so true that scripture covers every thing under the sun.
The problem is when we pick and choose what tickles our fancy.
 
adawgj said:
the problem i have with bible thumpers is that they do not use reason just verses.
Click to expand...
that is true. They learn the words, but the truth is not in them.
Scripture says the mind is a trap.
 
Della said:
Well, God loves everybody, so that’s not really relevant, is it? :whacky: 😃

I think those who shove the Bible down others’ throats ought to stop doing it–they do more harm than good.

On the other hand, sometimes we need someone with fire and passion to get us up off our duffs and doing good things for God. So, within reason, they can have their place, if their message is truthful.
Click to expand...
wow
Fire and passion on a Christian forum can get you kicked off, so many who are robots fear getting kicked off, they want to be accepted or they have nothing of meaning to say. I think a lot of them suppress their feelings and become angry people.
 
Traditional_Ang said:
Flopfoot:

I know part of this is off topic, but the Protestants get all messed up in their interpretation of Sacred Scripture because they lost their connection with the Church that Christ promised “the Gates of Hell would not prevail against”. They no longer have access to the Teaching Authority of the Catholic Church (The form of Apostolic Succession Anglicans can’t quite grasp) which is the guarantor of truth and a fortress against heresy. and, Most of them also don’t have access to the other form of Apostolic Succession, the passing on of the ability to confect the Sacraments of the Church, which means they don’t have the access to the normal means of obtaining grace.

Protestants have none of the correctives of the Church that Christ founded. That is no reason not to do the form of Scripture study encouraged by many of the great Saints or the Magisterium of the Church, Leccio Divine.

In the Scriptures, it states that, “My people perish for lack of knowledge.” Do you really think the Magisterium didn’t know what it was doing when it urged Catholics to study the Bible and provided aids such as My Daily Catholic Bible (An RSV-CE broken up into 365 chunks each of the OT & NT), the 3-Year Cycle of Readings for the Liturgy and various translations and commentaries on Scripture.

Remember when Adam and Even fell in the Garden? Compare what God tells Adam with Eve’s response to the Serpent.

And the LORD God commanded the man, saying, “You may freely eat of every tree of the garden; but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat of it you shall die.”
Gen. 2:16-17

And the woman said to the serpent, “We may eat of the fruit of the trees of the garden; but God said, `You shall not eat of the fruit of the tree which is in the midst of the garden, neither shall you touch it, lest you die.’”
Gen. 3:2-3 RSV

Can you see where Eve didn’t know what God had said?

And, there’s what the Apostle, St. Paul had to say:

All scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.
2 Timothy 3:16-17 RSV

And, If we want to help bring Prostetants into the Church, How does it help if we don’t know the Scriptures which so thoroughly prove the the truths of faith? How is it helpful to not know the context, or how something has been mistranslated, or the plain meaning of large sections of Scripture when Protestants take parts of the Scriptures out of context to support their position (then the context shows the Church to be right)?

If we love Prostestants, aren’t we going to do whatever it takes, within reason, to bring them to a knowledge of the full faith? We aren’t going to leave them twisting and drowning in their error? Are we? Or, will we avoid the study that will allow the Lord to use us as their lifesavers?

Please Note: I’m not saying Bible Stugy instead of Prayer. Leccio Divine as recommended by the Saints and the Magisterium of the Church involves reading, study, prayer, meditation and entering into the presence of God. The only one who wants to keep us from prayerful study of the Scripture is Satan.

Your Brother in Christ, Michael
Click to expand...
“lacking knowledge” is because they are studying the words without the Holy Spirit and lack understanding of the word.
 
Flopfoot said:
You don’t need to read the bible to be a good Christian.
Click to expand...
I thoroughly accuse myself of the intention and carrying out the matter of trying to convert someone. And I was thoroughly ridiculous.

“The sacred synod also earnestly and especially urges all the Christian faithful, especially Religious, to learn by frequent reading of the divine Scriptures the ‘excellent knowledge of Jesus Christ’ (Phil. 3:8). ‘For ignorance of the Scriptures is ignorance of Christ.’” (Dei Verbum, 25)

Frequent reading of the resources of divine revelation is an experience that by which the Word instructs sinners of whom learn the way of God - by frequent confession of sins to a priest and the subjective divine instruction (cf. Ps 32, Lk 1:77) with the objects of dogma.
 
animalis said:
I thoroughly accuse myself of the intention and carrying out the matter of trying to convert someone. And I was thoroughly ridiculous.

“The sacred synod also earnestly and especially urges all the Christian faithful, especially Religious, to learn by frequent reading of the divine Scriptures the ‘excellent knowledge of Jesus Christ’ (Phil. 3:8). ‘For ignorance of the Scriptures is ignorance of Christ.’” (Dei Verbum, 25)

Frequent reading of the resources of divine revelation is an experience that by which the Word instructs sinners of whom learn the way of God - by frequent confession of sins to a priest and the subjective divine instruction (cf. Ps 32, Lk 1:77) with the objects of dogma.
Click to expand...
Hi It is the spirit of the word that giveth life. We can read from now to when, but, lf we lack understanding we gain nothing.
The bible says be still and know, if we read the bible in stillness we can hear the Holy Spirit that gives us the understanding of the word.

The bible says, the letter killeth.
thank you.
louise
 
rocklobster said:
One of my problems before I became a more serious Christian was that I didn’t want to be lumped with all those “Bible-thumpers”. In fact, I don’t even memorize Scripture. But I’ve noticed that some of the more serious Christians seem to fit the negative stereotype that this pejorative term is for. Am I going about this wrong?
Click to expand...
Catholicism has a strong tradition of trusting in philosophical reason to understand the Scripture. Sadly many people seem to forget this and think that they can just uncritically quote some part of the Bible (or some Pope or whatever) to support their own opinions and thus “win” the argument.
 
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