I've been invited to a Bible study...

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Credendum

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and I’m afraid to get involved because I’m a new Catholic. I was involved in Bible studies before when I was protestant, and I just imagine people trying to convert me to a denomination. 😦 What to do?
 
Itd be safer to learn more about the teachings of the Catholic Church on Faith and Morals, and, just as important, WHY she teaches what she does. Karl Keatings “Catholicism and Fundamentalism”, published by Ignatius Press, was a great help a couple of decades back; the Catechism; Ignatius Study Bible … Ask some*** orthodox ***acquaintances.

Seeing youre a new Catholic: keep away from unapproved "apparitions" etc; they can lead you astray. Dont let anyone convince you that, to be orthodox, you have to believe in them.
 
Credendum said:
and I’m afraid to get involved because I’m a new Catholic. I was involved in Bible studies before when I was protestant, and I just imagine people trying to convert me to a denomination. 😦 What to do?
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Is it a Protestant Bible study?
 
Credendum said:
and I’m afraid to get involved because I’m a new Catholic. I was involved in Bible studies before when I was protestant, and I just imagine people trying to convert me to a denomination. 😦 What to do?
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I presume this is a Protestant study, perhaps something like Bible Study Fellowship. Do not go. See if your parish or surrounding parishes have a study you’d be interested in and join that.
 
Most Catholic parishes offer either Bible study or some type of prayer group that would allow you to become more deeply immersed in scripture and in the Traditions of the Catholic Church. Look to your parish office for help finding the various ministries and study groups that exist there. And welcome home to the one true Church of Jesus Christ. 😃
 
As others on here have pointed out: It depends on what type of bible study it it
If it is a study being carried out which is lead by Catholics with an orthodox approach to interpretation then that would probably be a good thing, and you may find that you can contribute a lot due to previous bible study experience.

If it is a non catholic study I would advise you to avoid it as if you are new to the catholic church you could easily be confused by people using very protestant interpretations of the Scriptures.
 
Credendum said:
and I’m afraid to get involved because I’m a new Catholic. I was involved in Bible studies before when I was protestant, and I just imagine people trying to convert me to a denomination. 😦 What to do?
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I feel that you have answered your own question. If you are “afraid” then you are probably best to not attend at this time.

On the other hand, if you are able to stand firm in your faith - even if you don’t know all the answers - it could be an opportunity both to learn more about Catholicism AND educate others as well.
This could occur through the means of certain questions arising in discussion. You present the Catholic view, as best you know it. Others ask questions etc that perhaps you are unclear on. You openly admit that you do not know the answer - but you will find out. Then write down the question(s) so that both of you agree on what is being asked and before the next bible study - seek out the answers here, or with your priest or…

Of course if you do attend and it is obviously an anti-catholic group, you simply drop out.

These are options, but as I said in the beginning - if you are afraid, perhaps you should decline for now. Only you can know for sure.

peace
James
 
Credendum said:
and I’m afraid to get involved because I’m a new Catholic. I was involved in Bible studies before when I was protestant, and I just imagine people trying to convert me to a denomination. 😦 What to do?
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The problem with these groups is which Bible they are using. In general, people have an inclination to accept things that are written down, especially in a book. They subconsciously assume that whatever is in it must be true or “they” wouldn’t allow it. There is a religion that has been discussed here in the past that uses a modified KJV … modified to fit their theology. My advice: don’t go.
 
Politely turn them down and look for a Catholic Bible Study in your parish or somewhere else in the diocese.
 
Credendum said:
and I’m afraid to get involved because I’m a new Catholic. I was involved in Bible studies before when I was protestant, and I just imagine people trying to convert me to a denomination. 😦 What to do?
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Studying the Bible is highly recommended by the Catholic Church even granting a daily Plenary Indulgence for reading the Bible for 30 minutes a day.

There are so many different independent or group Catholic Bible Studies that are available for you to do! I suggest that you consider prayerfully which of these Catholic Bible Studies to join.

There should never be a need to go outside of the Catholic Church to reading any Catholic Book especially the Bible.
 
Catholic1954 said:
Politely turn them down and look for a Catholic Bible Study in your parish or somewhere else in the diocese.
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Exactly.

The OP should go to the parish Bible study, or become acquainted with the local monastery and check out what they might offer. There is much to learn but the resources are not too hard to find.

It is also possible to do some Bible stuidy on one’s own, or with the family around the kitchen table. There are Catholic study Bibles available, Catholic Commentaries and other good resources.

http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51SJ8ZWaFIL.SL500_AA300.jpg

Some of my suggestions:

Paulist Press - some excellent resources in Bible studies and Patristic literature, tour the whole site.

Collegeville - good materials for Bible studies at home or in groups, notably the Little Rock Scripture Study, but also a good commentary in booklet form.

Jerome Biblical Commentary - again, an excellent resource, if a tad expensive, but it’s a big book and by the pound it’s a solid value 😉

Why not an Introduction to the New Testament by Father Raymond Brown?

There is no good reason a Roman Catholic, or an inquirer, cannot get access to a Bible Study designed by and for Roman Catholics. Every parish should have one (at least one). It is also possible to start one up oneself using the materials available, many with leader’s guides, and involve the whole family or close friends and neighbors.

No need to go anywhere else.
 
sedonaman said:
One even has to be careful of the parish. A lot of them have been infiltrated by members of Call to Action.
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Well, I wouldn’t know anything about that. I don’t even know what that is and I am not sure I want to know 😛

At this point I suggest the person’s parish is the very first resource, and if one cannot trust in one’s pastor and parish (especially the parish one converts into) over the non-Catholic neighbor’s Bible Study there is … well … something seriously wrong with the whole concept of faith.
 
Hesychios said:
Well, I wouldn’t know anything about that. I don’t even know what that is and I am not sure I want to know 😛

At this point I suggest the person’s parish is the very first resource, and if one cannot trust in one’s pastor and parish (especially the parish one converts into) over the non-Catholic neighbor’s Bible Study there is … well … something seriously wrong with the whole concept of faith.
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I agree, and all I am saying is that Catholics need to be careful:
Call to Action: The most visible dissenting group which is a movement of laity and religious seeking to reform the “sinful structure” of the “patriarchal” Church. One could call them the “mother of all dissenting groups” - feminist pun intended. CTA is infamous since its 1994 conference coverage on the CBS news program 60 Minutes. CTA promotes dissent against Church teachings on a broad front, including women’s ordination, homosexuality, creation spirituality, married priesthood, and liturgical reforms, while incorporating new age and Wiccan spirituality. Bishop Bruskewitz excommunicated those that belong to this group in his Diocese cwnews.com/news/viewstory.cfm?recnum=48072 . Many members belong to local groups called “small faith communities.” Renew 2000 also promotes small faith communities. Membership draws heavily from former clergy, feminist nuns, and homosexuals. Members staff COR. CTA serves on the national task force for the We Are Church referendum. Get a more complete understanding of their position from their own information. ourladyswarriors.org/dissent/dissorg.htm
 
Hesychios said:
Exactly.

The OP should go to the parish Bible study, or become acquainted with the local monastery and check out what they might offer. There is much to learn but the resources are not too hard to find.

It is also possible to do some Bible stuidy on one’s own, or with the family around the kitchen table. There are Catholic study Bibles available, Catholic Commentaries and other good resources.

http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51SJ8ZWaFIL.SL500_AA300.jpg

Some of my suggestions:

Paulist Press - some excellent resources in Bible studies and Patristic literature, tour the whole site.

Collegeville - good materials for Bible studies at home or in groups, notably the Little Rock Scripture Study, but also a good commentary in booklet form.

Jerome Biblical Commentary - again, an excellent resource, if a tad expensive, but it’s a big book and by the pound it’s a solid value 😉

Why not an Introduction to the New Testament by Father Raymond Brown?

There is no good reason a Roman Catholic, or an inquirer, cannot get access to a Bible Study designed by and for Roman Catholics. Every parish should have one (at least one). It is also possible to start one up oneself using the materials available, many with leader’s guides, and involve the whole family or close friends and neighbors.

No need to go anywhere else.
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I hate to be a wet blanket, but Collegeville (LIttle Rock Scripture Study) (if they have not revised it) leaves a whole lot to be desired. I did 1 and 2 Sam and got the lecture series with it, it gives you lots of Protestant opinions. I’ll pass in favor of Catholic Scripture Study International and The St Paul Center for Biblical Theology (Scott Hahn).
 
Credendum said:
and I’m afraid to get involved because I’m a new Catholic. I was involved in Bible studies before when I was protestant, and I just imagine people trying to convert me to a denomination. 😦 What to do?
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It is important to discern. You have not been invited to a Bible study if it is Protestant. You have been invited to study Protestant theology using a Bible with plans to involve you in conversion. There is no such thing as a Bible study run by any denonimation that does not teach their theology in doing so. Go to a 7th day Adventist bible study and you will learn 7th day Adventist teaching, go to a Jehovah witness bible study and you will learn their theology, go to a Baptist bible study and you will learn Baptist theology, go to a church that is deep in dispensationalism and you will learn Darbyism in that bible study.

Your fear and all emotions are signs and warnings to act. You acted to post and act and you got answers prior to action. Your imagination served you well and now you must decide what to do now that you know.👍

What is ever more important is that there is a person involved that invited you. This person has feelings, motives, thoughts and intentions. If it is someone you know well it is an opportunity to dialogue as to why they asked you. It is an opportunity to dialogue as to what it is they intend to teach you. It is an opportunity to dialogue about where the bible came from, what their theology is, and I would ask to see the statement of faith of the church that holds this bible study as a point of discussion as to why you choose not to attend.😃

Invite them to join in a discussion on this forum…cmon down…👍
 
Credendum said:
and I’m afraid to get involved because I’m a new Catholic. I was involved in Bible studies before when I was protestant, and I just imagine people trying to convert me to a denomination. 😦 What to do?
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Is it a study done by another church? As a new believer, it is always wise to not expose oneself to folks looking to, as you say, “convert you to a denomination”.
Stick to a Catholic study.
(And, yes, I am a Methodist. And yes, I would advise a new Methodist believer to stick to a Methodist study. It is always confusing to have a:sad_yes: half a hundred different opinions swirling in your head when you are still, as it were “finding your feet”).
:byzsoc::gopray2:
 
Zooey said:
Is it a study done by another church? As a new believer, it is always wise to not expose oneself to folks looking to, as you say, “convert you to a denomination”.
Stick to a Catholic study.
(And, yes, I am a Methodist. And yes, I would advise a new Methodist believer to stick to a Methodist study. It is always confusing to have a:sad_yes: half a hundred different opinions swirling in your head when you are still, as it were “finding your feet”).
:byzsoc::gopray2:
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Good answer!
 
If its a Protestant one, then politely decline the invite.

Hopefully your parish has some kind of Bible Study class, or perhaps another local parish has one if your parish does not. I attend a once a week in the evening Bible Study class at my mother’s parish as the parishes I’ve been going to do not offer one at a time I am able to attend. I much prefer being able to discuss things from a Catholic perspective and more.

Even if you cannot attend a class, there is nothing stopping you from purchasing a Catholic Bible and study materials from a reputable place that will allow you to study at home alone or with a few others.
 
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