"Duty" to read scripture?

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GabrielYoung said:
The Bible is bascially a really interesting and well written instruction guide that many people use to find answers and the such. Bu in the Christianity faith it’s really your choice If you want to read it or not.
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which you have to admit is grossly oversimplified.

Let’s be blunt: if the Bible was supposed to be a straight-forward “instruction guide,” it is pretty badly-written for that purpose. That is because no one was ever meant to read the Bible outside of their life in the Church, rather than reading it from within the greater context of being informed by the sacramental life, by prayer, and by the guidance of the Magesterium. It is NOT an instruction guide because the Christian life is not a act-according-to-the-algorithm activity. The Christian life is (as Merton put it), first of all a life. It is to be lived and it is to be lived as one with the Body of Christ, not cut off like a single fish in a fishbowl. We know what happens to vines that are cut off…
 
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Be thankful I didn’t flag his post as insulting…because it was, if fact, insulting towards Protestants.
 
I don’t believe it’s sinful to not read it. That said, in this day and age and with such widespread ability to do so, why wouldn’t you?
 
deMontfort said:
Be thankful I didn’t flag his post as insulting…because it was, if fact, insulting towards Protestants.
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Just because I took his point does not mean I’m defending his exact choice of words! I think he was stung at the idea that the Bible was merely “really interesting,” let alone an “instruction guide.” In defense of your reaction, though, most Protestants would be very upset if they thought they were hearing the Bible talked about as if it were a Chilton manual, too. Both points well-taken…

I don’t think the poster he was responding to meant to upset anyone, either, even if the seeming lukewarmness towards reading Holy Scriptures was a bit shocking, coming from a Christian. I suspect he only meant that there have been saints who couldn’t read, that the faith does not require personal literacy, provided there is other instruction:

For “everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” But how can they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how can they believe in him of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone to preach? And how can people preach unless they are sent? As it is written, “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!” But not everyone has heeded the good news; for Isaiah says, “Lord, who has believed what was heard from us?” Thus faith comes from what is heard, and what is heard comes through the word of Christ. Rom 10:13-17
 
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Well, no, I’ve actually seen him in other threads condemn the reading of the Bible as “acting Protestant”.
 
deMontfort said:
Well, no, I’ve actually seen him in other threads condemn the reading of the Bible as “acting Protestant”.
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Perhaps he will believe our bishops and priests very much want the faithful reading the Bible frequently if he sees it is in Dei Verbum. I don’t know how much more strongly they can put it than to put it in a dogmatic constitution without making it an obligation, which is tough to do when not all the faithful are literate or have ready access to books, even the Bible. No excuses for those of us with internet access, though.
 
i “realize” when Jesus Ascended back to heaven; “He”’ didn’t say read this instruction manual; ie the Bible

Jesus said i leave you a “Church”

the protestants managed to screw that up despite Jesus’ specific instructions
thanks for that

lots of good has become of it
(NOT)
 
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your “duty” is not “read scripture”

it is to “listen” to scripture; and accept the magestirium
 
brian_custer said:
i “realize” when Jesus Ascended back to heaven; “He”’ didn’t say read this instruction manual; ie the Bible
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Well, He couldn’t say that because the books of the NT had not been recorded/written/scribed yet. At the time of His ascension, we only had Christ’s verbal teaching. Now it has been written by those directed by the Holy Spirit. He left us His Church and the Church in turn preserved Christ’s teaching in written form. We have the amazing opportunity to listen to and read scripture.

(if this is not your quote @brian_custer, I apologize)
 
In Dt Moses says that the book of the law is to be read every 7 years. Also, should there be a king of Israel, he should read and transcribe the book of the law. The historical books indicate that this was probably not done, as the kings of Israel and Judah strayed from the law, “doing what was evil in the sight of the LORD.”

As I said initially, I think educated Catholics (who can read) should make a point of reading the entire Bible at least every couple years, for the sake of their salvation, for holiness, to re-establish priorities. I know how difficult this is, I have lots of excuses, particularly that no priest has ever suggested reading the entire Bible, or indicating how it COULD be done.

I am using the Ascension Press Bible in a Year, which gives about 4 pages of reading per day. If there’s 5 pages, I can say that the chunks of readings are coherent and make sense. No, I really don’t remember things I read a couple months ago, until I am reminded of them, But, I figure I have to start someplace. This edition is a good place to start. This version has no notes or cross references, etc. I need to look at a regular Bible for such, or to look at a commentary for some explanation or background.
 
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what would be the objective point of "reading the bible “cover to cover” ?

reading obscure passages? doing personal interpretation?; that is not a catholic thing

at EVERY mass the relevant scripture is read & interpreted by a theologically trained priest via the homily

“reading & memorizing” scripture by amateurs "like us " here on CAF is pointless
 
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I’m confused why are you equating reading the Bible with giving it private interpretations. They are not the same thing, at all.

It is perfectly normal to read and enjoy the Bible without trying to interpret every passage into something other than the plain, Catholic meaning.

And if a passage is confusing, there are countless commentaries to consult.

Reading the Bible is not a Protestant thing. The Church wants the Faithful to read it.

Have you ever in your life just picked up the Bible and read through it for pleasure? Have you tried the Psalms or the Gospels? It is not all obscure or hard to understand.

Honestly, it is a GOOD thing to read it. It is a sure way to know Christ better and to become more intimate with Him. It allows the Holy Spirit to speak to your heart.

No one here is saying that you should read it independent of the Catechism’s teachings. We’re not all trying to establish our own theology. If there’s a question, we bow to the Magesterium.

But you are depriving yourself of a great means of grace and a way to draw closer to God’s heart.

Just try reading through the Gospel of John and see if it benefits you.

Or read the day’s Mass readings and read the passages before and after them, too.

It’s rather antagonistic to label good Catholics who like to read the Bible as acting like Protestants. We’re not.
 
OK; i’ll accept that

i 've never understood “bible reading” as a catholic thing

to me that is a “protestant” thing

protestant ministers read & memorize & preach bible passages

then they go & build “parishes” based on their personal “reading” & and interpretation of scripture
 
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The Church grants an indulgence for scripture reading - so it is far from pointless. Saint Jerome teaches that ignorance of scripture is ignorance of Christ. Our Lord did not leave us orphans. We have the entirety of the Church to help. Very few verses are defined infallibly, as it should be. Even then, it was in response to heresy. God’s word is living and speaks to each generation anew.

If we encounter difficulty in understanding, we have the Church via magisterium as well as bible commentaries and our parish priest, to help clear things up.
 
I do not understand why this is even a question. Of course we should read Scripture, each according to our talents. The Catechism addresses how we are to read Scripture and gives a lot of instruction. It never is a question whether we should. If we were physically separated from one we loved, and they wrote us a lengthy letter, would we put in on the shelf and never read it? Of course not! The only reason one would not read such a love letter would be a lack of love for the author.
 
brian_custer said:
“reading & memorizing” scripture by amateurs "like us " here on CAF is pointless
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I could not disagree more. If knowledge of Scripture is knowledge of Christ, how can it be pointless to know our savior better?
 
brian_custer said:
protestant ministers read & memorize & preach bible passages

then they go & build “parishes” based on their personal “reading” & and interpretation of scripture
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Some do, some don’t. In many protestant churches, the pastor is selected by the existing congregation. All protestant churches are not independent, many belong to “conferences” or “associations” which have some governing authority. The personal interpretation comes more from the weeknight Bible studies where a group sits around and reads a passage of scripture and everyone takes a turn saying what they think it means. (ugh).
 
i am not trying to be mean;

the “weeknight bible study” is supposed to be a substitute for the magestrium?
 
No, there isn’t a Baptist magistarium. These are more of a social event, ladies studies, mens studies. Google Bible Study Series - Joyce Myers is a name that women seem to flock to.

I think the Catholic Church as individuals take the personal interpretation thing wrong. It’s not like we would all get these revelations every time we read the Bible or went to church. The vast majority of interpretation took place when groups split off from Catholicism, after the Reformation, and such as Luther and Calvin. Every Sunday, the pastor develops a 30-45 minute minute sermon. The topic could be the Book of Matthew. He might cover a chapter each week. He will base his teaching on what he reads in the Bible, commentaries, what others have taught, and any cross references in the Bible. Questionable or hard understands will go back to the original language for clues of interpretation. An example of personal interpretation is really what we know as the different understanding between Baptists and Catholics on the Eucharist, Mary, Bible only/tradition and writings of the Church Fathers, baptism, and others. I hope this makes some sense to you. If not, PM me and I can give it another go.
 
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