Does the Catholic Church teach from the Bible?

[THEYEHOVAH]

fyi: The new international version (niv) is also a protestant translation that was produced after hundreds of years of hardening against catholic teaching while the king james (kjb) was produced primarily for anglicans who, at that time, held very closely to catholic teaching.

You can find the new american bible (nab) on the bishops’ website.

The online protestant resources tend to include better concordances, so i will often locate a verse from them but then go read it in the nab online.

The douay-rheims (d-r) translation (a catholic translation published 2 years before the kjv) is also located in many places online including here.

let me clarify that i am warning against the american standard bible/new american standard bible! Even that i quote–god leads me to the right one. Reading one finds that certain translations are lacking. You will find–by experience! I agree with the observation that the king james–is actually close! The new king james–less so! The readings are clearer regarding…elders and their role in the church and priests better understood without the overlayment of the “traditional terms”! You basically see bishops–and elders in groups with deacons and begin to understand roots and the early church and what we have come from… We can see problems. Many practicalities were adopted that detract from the faith while seemingly “convenient” that could be…reversed…and solve some problems. <3+

 

[THEYEHOVAH]

i’m a little surprised at this. There is a lot of catholic teaching that can’t be directly found in the bible. For example, as my pastor pointed out in his sermon this morning, the holy trinity isn’t in the bible. Yet, this should be at the root of christianity, not just the church. But i’m beginning to wonder, just how many denominations don’t believe that christ is god? Are they even christian in the true sense? (i’m just throwing this up for general discussion, not directed at you, deb.)

the holy trinity is in the bible–and unless catholics know their bible then many will end up lost to sects such as jehovah-witnesses who claim such. Trinity means three and three persons are described–forgive the casual language and not hypostasis [sp] and the like which obscure in many cases… Over and over again the bible describes the father and the son and the holy spirit in ways that are co-identical and illustrates! The trinity…is…in the bible! But know the bible! You will not answer this by memorizing the answer of someone else and using “borrowed words” god criticized in the prophets! <3+

 

[THEYEHOVAH]

Precisely why I do not do VBS. You are right, a lot of parents view it a a temp babysitting service for a few days or week. Again…you are right, the problem lies with parents. When I meet with parents whose child is preparing for any sacrament, I ask them this question:

If it is not important for you to attend Mass and practice your faith,then why is it so important for you that your child receive a sacament?

The parents look: uch:

Two children who were children of atheists attended VBS–the little girl said, Teach me everything there is to know about God because I might never have the chance to hear IT again! The teachers obliged–the little girl was saved!

We tend to forget this is not about RELIGION! This is ABOUT SALVATION! This is LIFE OR DEATH!!!

<3+

 

[THEYEHOVAH]

interesting thread by the way…

Young catholic comes on to talk about the bible missing in his classes.
A problem that is really found a lot in many catholic circles where people often know the bible much less than evangelicals do.
So… After one or two posts where the problem is denied posters start preaching church, and against the protestants, and really saying the bible is all over, at the same time stating its not really something special or foundational for us as catholics.

I think sometimes i would like to meet some more catholics who’d say “jesus” as many times in one sentence as they say “church” and who define themselves as believers in him and in the gospel instead of as people who certainly aren’t evangelicals.

This is the impression i get… That evangelicals often get down to the actual essential point much better: Jesus christ and his good news, because they read the new testament and they don’t just treat it like “another document of the church”.

i do not want to be taught how to prepare to meet god; i want to be taught to meet god… <3+

 

[THEYEHOVAH]

i think there is some truth to this.

In one email to me, my stepbrother, who is a professional linguist, wrote to tell me “…[his]favorite retreat priest in warsaw, back in the eighties, was fond of saying, the scripture, ladies and gentlemen, is a heap of poetry - and must be studied as literature written by men . He meant it in the context of the old testament more than the new, but you get the drift…”

i find–contrary to an earlier post either by 1ke or corki or st francis–that the old testament is particularly appreciated by those…called…protestants! But not as poetry… <3+theyehovah–they do not! They…do…not! They do not slice and dice it by human standards! These…born-agains…

 

[THEYEHOVAH]

o dear. Biblical baptism was for adults, conditional on repentance, which is not just saying “sorry”: It is an understanding and repugnance for one’s own sin and a fervent (inner) resolution never to do that again, to change one’s lifestyle. Original sin is the church’s concept: I cannot conceive of a loving god who holds all of mankind to blame for whatever adam and eve got up to. In any case, jesus suffered a horrid death to rid us of all sin, including that original one. St. Paul encourages us: “for as one man’s disobedience many were made sinners, so by the obedience of one shall many be made righteous!” (rom. 5:19). I can no longer say, before communion, “lord i am unworthy…”: Its like slapping jesus in the face. I have to say, “lord jesus, thank you for making me worthy by your sacrifice on the cross.” when will the church change to a catechism of love instead of fear of sin, fear of an unbiblical purgatory. Even confession to a priest is unbiblical. Jesus told you, me, us to forgive; “how often must **i ** forgive my brother?” "70 times 7 (or 70: 7 being god’s number). Although i must admit that confessing to a priest in humility does unburden one, but i feel its a bit of a cop out, confessing to a priest instead of making your peace with whoever you have hurt (btw, that is biblical).
Even the greek word for sin is a gentle “hamartia” - “missing the mark”, instead of the horrid concept of a huge black gunge on one’s soul condemning one to hell or that unbiblical purgatory. Jesus taught us to say to our father, “forgive us our hamartia for (because) we have already forgiven those who have sinned against us.” my father is a god of love: Please turn to him through jesus.
Ps my wife and i, both “born again” by the grace of god, were instructed by him to remain in the catholic church. So don’t worry about it.

you obviously are walking opinionatedly–and not in the spirit and truth! Original sin is the actual sin committed by adam! The bible explains that–we were “in the loins of,” to put it that way, adam when he sinned… Our bodies did it–whether recycled every seven years or not our entire race came from the body of adam and we “are adam.” whatever choice we make–our bodies have already sinned and we are at a disadvantage and guilty of having actually done it as a person ignorant actually murdered whether they understood it or not. Eve sinned–the same way. She was deceived and not willfully sinning–but guilty. The bible says this… <3+theyehovah–purgatory! Biblical. “saved as by fire”! Confessing to a priest! Biblical–“confess your sins one to another”… This is not to avoid directly confronting your brother! You must learn. Forgive my pointed remarks–even the born-again must agree with the father and the word or be following a false spirit…

 

[THEYEHOVAH]

i agree with the jist of smiddle’s original post.

I learned great bible stories in ccd, and of course all about the sacraments. I learned even more about the church and the faith the 2 years i spent in catholic school having a religious education class every day. Sure, we had bibles, but i don’t know that we used them very much.
I don’t completely blame the church for this, as the giant family bible at home was pretty dusty. My grandmothers were devout catholics, my mother wasn’t too shabby either…but i feel like my “book learnin’” so to speak was left up to the teachers on sunday mornings or wednesday nights and that should only be a starting point in religious education.

It is only in the last year or so that i have begun to really learn and grow in my faith and its roots in the bible. I live in the bible belt and its my involvement in a mops group of christian women that brought me there. These women were talking about their children receiving awards for memorizing the most bible verses, etc and i can’t say that i knew one by heart. I knew i disagreed with many of their beliefs but i didn’t know why…i wanted to know how we were getting something so different from the same book. I wanted to be taking more seriously, and prepared to defend my faith if need be. It’s definitely important to be able to defend the faith with plain biblical evidence in thes parts.

I agree that there definitely needs to be more emphasis on the “whys” of the faith and its roots in the bible. I don’t think its all the church’s fault that we don’t do that however. I take responsibility (and blame my parents 'cause that’s the cool things to do) for not providing a little background and being a passive catholic.

the focus of the catholic church is love–which is the most important focus! The catholic church preach jesus–not preach those preaching jesus! The centre of the bible is jesus! Love! With little time: Reading the words of jesus! Get the–point! Get the point of jesus! Everything spreads from there… At times, this is leaving! But god takes care of that. People leave in disgust when they know there is truth–and they are searching for it. When they search, they will find! That is what jesus said. There is a great difference between the love of catholics–and the “shoulds,” of others!! When it is done right; there are plenty of superstitious “catholics.” many who misunderstand–but jesus will be read and people will listen. They will notice!! Leave and search for truth. They will be baptized by the holy spirit “outside the church.” [the world belongs to god; abraham was “outside the church”–when he was called.] they then become…the church. We must–be one. We are one. <3+

 

[THEYEHOVAH]

The bible is more than the new testament <3+theyehovah

there was no “original bible.” there were hundreds of books written about jesus in the first century. At the time, it was obvious which ones were fiction, which ones were trying to fool people into believing false things about jesus, and which ones were written by the apostles and their close followers for the edification of the church.

As time passed, it became less and less clear which ones were which, so pope damasus requested that lists of the books to be used at mass be made. Three councils came up with identical lists - hippo, carthage, and rome, so (pope damasus having passed away by this time) in about 405 ad, pope innocent i decreed that these books be translated into the common language (which at the time was latin), and housed or stored together in a single codex. This work was completed by st. Jerome, and the codex he produced was called “biblios” meaning “the books.”

copies were made for dioceses, dioceses made copies for their parishes, and then, after the invention of the printing press, it became possible to create copies for library use, and then, when printing became commonplace and inexpensive in the late 1700s ad, it became possible to print huge numbers of bibles for distribution to individuals.

But no - the apostles weren’t going around with little new testaments in their pockets.

 

[THEYEHOVAH]

Read the bible–the bible tells when it was written, well before christ jesus and quoted by him the one who wrote it…mentioning the psalms and prophets and law which speak of him in the old testament!! The apostle–paul to timothy–tells us to teach it/preach it!!! <3+

uhmmmm… There’s no such thing as a “roman catholic bible” in ad 350-382. Because it did, it’s like ignoring the existence of the church in the east.

Could you substantiate this please? Or is this part of revisionist history?

 

[THEYEHOVAH]

i thought it was written by inspiration from the holy spirit in any case, the bible is divided basically into two parts: The old testament and the new testament. The roman catholic church had no part in the creation of the old testament. That was largely passed on by word of mouth and not written down until david had conquered israel and solomon built the great temple in jerusalem. At the time of the first diaspora the written old testament was destroyed; according to eusebius, the old testament was re-written when the jews returned to jerusalem (scholars accept this). Eusebius also writed that the king (hezekiah?) ,suspicious of spurious rewrites, ordered a hundred or so scribes to rewrite the ot from memory and the holy spirit ensured that all copies were word-for-word correct.
The roman christian church, per se, also had no part in the creation of the new testament, which was written from around 50ad (before the second diaspora) to the “kata iohannen” (according to john) written at paphos (?) by a very old beloved apostle around 90ad. Constantine made christianity the official religion of the roman empire somewhere between 313 and 325ad. Historians believe constantine made christianity the church of the new constantinople, which he built as the religious centre of the empire. Rome remained the political and religious centre of his empire.

the bible re-transcribed or not–describes its writing! It was not written in the time of david! Moses wrote–well before the time of david! Egad! We must read the bible–while writing about! The holy ghost tells us plainly! <3+theyehovah–read all of it.

 

[THEYEHOVAH]

a few years ago on (british) tv, a spokesman priest for the vatican stated that we had 800 years of bad popes. Shocked me at first but it confirmed my reluctance to accept church dogma, teaching and tradition as being the same weight as the word of god. Btw, i did confess my many doubts to my parish priest, including the question of whether i am still a catholic or not. He told me god gave us a brain to think, not blindly accept anyone’s word. Bit of a difference from when i was 9. In catholic school i was taught that god made the world in 7 days. But at my first geography lessons the nun told us the world was billions of years old, gradually transforming from a flaming ball of miasma, then cooling down for millions of years to form mountains, oceans, land etc. I took my puzzlement to a priest who was also a family friend. “how dare you doubt the word of god, boy!” he thundered and threw me into a state of guilt that only just cleared when i was born again. He could have answered in words a 9-year-old child could grasp.
I also confessed to reading the apocrypha to a born again priest. He said, “ian, you have the holy spirit in you: Read what you like, he’ll stop you if its dangerous”. He also said, “question what you like, jesus loves hard questions!!!”

“guard your heart; for from it are the issues of life”–is my paraphrase of the bible; you ought to be protected. Guided. Not told free-for-all–surely “anything” does not mean pornography?! The priest is supposed to guide. The bible says the people of god are destroyed for lack of knowledge. This is the very substance of discussion on this topic. We are…not…to do anything. We are to do what is right. Yes, search for truth; reading the bible guards us from what to listen to–see proverbs from which jesus taught; yet without the holy spirit we find ourselves blind; not in a good way! There is a good way! The bible describes it–being led by the holy spirit and not our own judgment. We use our judgment to agree with the holy spirit in agreement with the word and the father. Some do not like that particular phraseology–and strike it from their bibles or claim it to be an addition. Yet the holy spirit will always agree with the son who always agrees with the father by demonstration with or without the text. <3+

 

[THEYEHOVAH]

I didn’t say “I think”, I wrote “I cannot conceive of”. But I thank you for correcting me: made me remember that yes, we are all born without God’s sanctifying grace. Jesus died to release that grace to all, but His immense can only be accepted by accepting Him and His gifts! As to having to say “I am not worthy” IS a denial of Jesus’ gift and I cannot do that. Not long after I was Born Again I was at mass saying “Lord have mercy” when I distinctly heard the Lord say, “Ian, I gave you mercy two thousand years ago - I sent my Son!” But I guess that for those who do not understand that, the church leads them to ask. I sometimes stand in deep gratitude for our priests who have to shepherd all from fervent Born Agains, through the Luke Warms and Sunday Catholics who read the racing results during mass. Not Judging, Lord, just commenting!
As to adult baptism, yes I very nearly added Cornelius’ baptism with “all his household”, but it would be derived theology to assume that meant babies too. One could just as easily assume that only the old ‘uns were there.
When it comes to teaching, I mentioned my reluctance to accept this elsewhere. There are the Church’s interpretations stamped on so many verses. EG, we still hear how deep was Peter’s love for Jesus: three times he emphasised his love. John 21:15 - 17, in the Greek reads: “Simon bar Jonas, do you agape me?” “Yes, Lord, you know that I philo you.” ;“Simon bar Jonas, do you truly * AGAPE* me?” “Yes Lord, you know that I PHILO you”; the third time He asked him: “Simon bar Jonas, do you PHILO (!!) me?” “Lord, you know all things. You know that I PHILO you!!!” That leads to a totally different interpretation. Peter’s honesty cos he didn’t understand what agape (God’s love) was, but could only rise to philo, man’s love. The third time shows Jesus’ love and understanding when He climbs down to philo!
There are other examples, notably the shortest verse in the Bible: “Jesus wept.” From my childhood I was taught that Jesus was weeping for his friend Lazarus, as Jewish bystanders said. But some of them said, “could He who opened the eyes of the blind man have kept this man from dying?” (Jn. 11:35 -38.) Jesus was once more deeply moved.
A re-reading of John 11 might offer a different insight. Verse 6: “Yet when news that Lazarus was sick, He stayed where He was two more days.” Why? He waited till Lazarus was dead and then went to demonstrate God’s glory, so that God’s Son would be glorified by it. But, after three years of teaching, of ddemonstrating miracles, people STILL did not believe He could raise Lazarus from the grave. He wept at their unbelief.

Jesus was Asking Peter whether he Loved and using the example of Loving HIMSELF and Loving OTHERS; Jesus MADE IT CLEAR that to Love HIM WAS TO LOVE OTHERS–you cannot claim to love if you are “loving” Jesus and NOT LOVING YOUR FELLOW MAN… Basically, he was Saying, “…LOVE MY SHEEP”!!! You cannot get by just loving ME! That is NOT AGAPE! Yes, I agree about appreciating–those ministering to ALL; IMAGINE… <3+

 

[THEYEHOVAH]

my thought too. I often heard fellow catholics citing that we are the most biblical oriented christians, reason being that the major biblical passages are included in the liturgy of the word of the mass. This statement seems to be more defensive rather supporting its argument. In fact in reality it is not true that we learn the bible by just basing on the mass readings.

The reality of the mass does not permit this and as we know, more often the priests hardly explain the bible passages in the homily. Thereare exceptions of course. Most catholics agree that the mass is not for bible study but rather hearing the proclamation of the words, and in the homily the priest has so much leeway that the can just simply say anything instead of explaining the readings.

Even if we go for daily mass for many years and suppose to have covered the bible in the readings, it is still not the same like how we read the bible itself. In other word, to really appreciate the reading of the mass, one has to have full knowledge of the bible and its overview, and then it would be easier to know where the readings come from in the bible. It should be to have knowledge of the bible first to appreciate the readings and not the other way round.

Just a little comment on the op. If we are not brought up in an environment where the bible is not read, taught, discussed and pondered on, then it is not likely parents would do that to the children. More often parents would teach the children about the sacraments, their do’s and the don’ts. I can say it is not the practice of the majority of catholic’s homes that the bible is studied and emphasized.

agree; the primary role…is the catholic church…to teach parents–only then can parents teach… <3+

 

[THEYEHOVAH]

amen; i do not believe this person believes he or she is sneering or being patronizing! <3+

 

[THEYEHOVAH]

catholics have scripture, tradition, the sacraments and the apostolic succession. Protestants have only their opinions about scripture. They know the verses but they may not know the proper interpretation. They’re in the hands of pastor john of the madeup church of some bible quote, god help them.

those many call protestant do not–have “opinions.” they have holy spirit! That is different. That is…not private interpretation… You are generalizing… <3+theyehovah–those “protestants” who have only their opinions have only their opinions but they do not make up the whole of those called “protestant” but are as fake as those “in the catholic church” are fake who claim to be there but are fake

 

[IanGE]

you obviously are walking opinionatedly–and not in the spirit and truth! Original sin is the actual sin committed by adam! The bible explains that–we were “in the loins of,” to put it that way, adam when he sinned… Our bodies did it–whether recycled every seven years or not our entire race came from the body of adam and we “are adam.” whatever choice we make–our bodies have already sinned and we are at a disadvantage and guilty of having actually done it as a person ignorant actually murdered whether they understood it or not. Eve sinned–the same way. She was deceived and not willfully sinning–but guilty. The bible says this… <3+theyehovah–purgatory! Biblical. “saved as by fire”! Confessing to a priest! Biblical–“confess your sins one to another”… This is not to avoid directly confronting your brother! You must learn. Forgive my pointed remarks–even the born-again must agree with the father and the word or be following a false spirit…

I thank a fellow charismatic catholic of 15 years for chastising his elder in the Spirit. In another post you write that “Protestants” are not opinionated but are Spirit-led.. I am 76: I have been searching for the Truth AND learning since I was 25: I was Born Again at 46 and the Spirit of the Lord has been my teacher, my consoler, my counsellor and, yes, my gentle chastiser ever since. I am a cradle Catholic and still a Catholic because, as you say, there good parts but also, like the curate’s egg, bad in parts. The worst part is downgrading the Holy, beautiful, awesome, infallible Word of God (Whose Name is “I AM WHO AM”) to be equal to dogma and doctrine. If parts of dogma and doctrine contradict the Word of God then I must (the HOLY Spirit in me insists!) follow God’s Word.
AFTER the disciples were filled by the Holy Spirit, Jesus told them “whose sins YOU (plural) forgive they are forgiven, whose sins you shall retain they are retained”. The HOLY Spirit in me reveals that the YOU includes me and all who are Born Again. I asked the Lord, “where are the sins I retain (or cannot forgive) retained, Lord?” He answered “by you, Ian!” Therefore it is imperative that I forgive others and ask forgiveness from those I have hurt - to RELEASE them as well as me. Then I can pray Jesus’ prayer to Our Father to clear the lot! BTW I can only call Almighty God “Father” because I fully believe in Jesus and accept His Sacrifice for the forgiveness of ALL sins, including Adam’s.
Someone else wrote, “I want to know how to meet God”. Answer: believe in Jesus as Numero Uno and ASK God for the Holy Spirit. He WILL infill you.
BTW I know many Catholic Charismatics that are suspicious of the Gifts of the Spirit because the Church Leaders are reluctant or even refuse to accept the Born Again experience. There are Charismatic catholic priests around: I was baptised in the Holy Spirit by one - because I was so hidebound I would not let a “Protestant” lay hands on me!

 

[DebChris]

Recommended reading: Where is that in Scripture.
And the Catholic Answer Bible. The Catholic Faith is often questioned. Here you will find the scriptural references that support Catholic teaching.

 

[Melchior_1]

I thank a fellow charismatic catholic of 15 years for chastising his elder in the Spirit. In another post you write that “Protestants” are not opinionated but are Spirit-led.. I am 76: I have been searching for the Truth AND learning since I was 25: I was Born Again at 46 and the Spirit of the Lord has been my teacher, my consoler, my counsellor and, yes, my gentle chastiser ever since. I am a cradle Catholic and still a Catholic because, as you say, there good parts but also, like the curate’s egg, bad in parts.

I was not chastising, but rather letting you know that some of your concerns/comments about Catholicism were off-base.

The worst part is downgrading the Holy, beautiful, awesome, infallible Word of God (Whose Name is “I AM WHO AM”) to be equal to dogma and doctrine. If parts of dogma and doctrine contradict the Word of God then I must (the HOLY Spirit in me insists!) follow God’s Word.

As someone else has mentioned, dogma and doctrine never contradict Scripture. Further, could you take a guess as to who was responsible for deciding which books made the Bible?

AFTER the disciples were filled by the Holy Spirit, Jesus told them "whose sins YOU (plural) forgive they are forgiven, whose sins you shall retain they are retained".  The HOLY Spirit in me reveals that the YOU includes me and all who are Born Again.  I asked the Lord, "where are the sins I retain (or cannot forgive) retained, Lord?"  He answered "by you, Ian!"  Therefore it is imperative that I forgive others and ask forgiveness from those I have hurt - to RELEASE them as well as me.  Then I can pray Jesus' prayer to Our Father to clear the lot!  BTW I can only call Almighty God "Father" because I fully believe in Jesus and accept His Sacrifice for the forgiveness of ALL sins, including Adam's.

I don’t see anything wrong with this line of thought for the most part, after all “to forgive, is divine”. However there’s an important thing which separates us from the Apostles; Christ breathed on them, which is the first time God breathed on a human since Adam & Eve. In this way, He granted them the same authority He had to bind and lose on Earth what is done in Heaven. This is passed down do others who have been ordained to perform the same work the Apostles were doing.

Someone else wrote, “I want to know how to meet God”. Answer: believe in Jesus as Numero Uno and ASK God for the Holy Spirit. He WILL infill you.

I meet God whenever I visit Christ Jesus int he Eucharist. He’s physically there, I’m hanging out with my best friend. When I am alone with Him, I talk directly to Him aloud sometimes. Other times, we just chill and relax.

BTW I know many Catholic Charismatics that are suspicious of the Gifts of the Spirit because the Church Leaders are reluctant or even refuse to accept the Born Again experience.

You don’t need the “born again” experience. Some people from youth to adulthood remain in the Church and believe the entire time. I would say to embrace the charismatic gifts of the Holy Spirit, you need embrace the Holy Spirit in several ways, including the Sacraments.

There are Charismatic catholic priests around: I was baptised in the Holy Spirit by one - because I was so hidebound I would not let a “Protestant” lay hands on me!

The Sacraments, my friend. As a charismatic Catholic, there is nothing that brings us closer to Christ Jesus than the Eucharist & Reconciliation, because in the former I am physically in front of Christ just as John was at the foot of the Cross. In the latter, I reconcile with Christ.

Protestants can experience the Holy Spirit, not question. But as Catholics we have way more tools at our disposal, specifically the greatness of seeing the Word made flesh every time we see Transubstantiation occur.

“Baptism in the Spirit” is a term charismatics use to describe what the feeling is like when one is immersed in the Holy Spirit for what feels like the first time. It’s not the actual Sacrament, and the term should be used metaphorically.

 

[DebChris]

“Baptism in the Spirit” is a term charismatics use to describe what the feeling is like when one is immersed in the Holy Spirit for what feels like the first time. It’s not the actual Sacrament, and the term should be used metaphorically.

To further clarify, for Catholics, the “Baptism of the Holy Spirit” is more rightly called the “Release of the Holy Spirit.” It is a release of the charisms each of us has already received as a result of our Baptism (when we were born again) and Confirmation. Every Charismatic priest that I have met has a renewed zeal as a result of his Holy Orders.
Unlike non-Catholic Churches during the revivals of the late 19th and early 20th century, the Catholic Church has accepted the legitimacy of the charisms. We read in stories of the Saints, many who exhibited these charisms, particularly the charism of healing. Scripture itself talks about these charisms. The Catholic Charismatic Renewal, in submitting to the authority of the Catholic Church, has received the blessing of the popes from Pope Paul VI through Pope Benedict XVI.

One of the beauties of the Catholic Church is that it does not limit God to the pages of a book. God did not descend to earth as a book, but rather incarnate in the form of a man. He continues to work in each of our lives.
As Catholics, we have received the teachings of Christ as given directly to the Apostles (Tradition) and protected by the teaching authority of the Church through the power of the Holy Spirit (magisterium). These teachings have been written for our benefit (Scripture). All work together.
The Old Testament is read in light of the New and the New Testament is read in light of the Old. If we listen to the Word of God during Mass, we see how often Christ refered to the Old Testament scriptures in His teaching and preaching.

 

[muffindell]

Nope, I quote something close to my heart from

*Matthew 19:3-9

3 And Pharisees came up to him and tested him by asking, “Is it lawful to divorce one’s wife for any cause?” 4 He answered, “Have you not read that he who created them from the beginning made them male and female, 5 and said, ‘Therefore a man shall leave his father and his mother and hold fast to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh’? 6 So they are no longer two but one flesh. What therefore God has joined together, let not man separate.” 7 They said to him, “Why then did Moses command one to give a certificate of divorce and to send her away?” 8 He said to them, “Because of your hardness of heart Moses allowed you to divorce your wives, but from the beginning it was not so. 9 And I say to you: whoever divorces his wife, except for sexual immorality, and marries another, commits adultery.”[a]*

The RC church doesn’t accept the word of Christ from a key witness, particular reference to point 9; otherwise I would of been able to marry in a RC church