Just because we are Catholics doesnt mean we can skip reading the Bible

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Maybe many of us Catholics are proud of the fact that we are not sola scriptura like those “foolish Protestants”.
If you’ve been on a Protestant forum, you notice most of the posts include a quote from the Bible. I do find it over the top that some are even afraid to use their own words to answer someone’s simple plea for sympathy and understanding.
Come on to a Catholic forum like CAF and you see very few quotes from the Bible. Are we deliberately trying to be different to them? Are we going to the other extreme? Ignoring the Bible?
I think we need a balance. I am personally overdue for a Saint Paul workout. All his epistles. Using commentaries from a Catholic library and youtube.
Just we need reminding of the importance of scripture even if it is not sole authority.
 
At the same time, Scripture is very much part of the Liturgy. We don’t just treat Scripture as something to read and study, but also as something to pray… between Mass and the Divine Office, that’s a lot of Scripture exposure.
 
So you are saying it is enough for Catholics to attend Mass and listen to the Liturgy of the Word? We don’t need to read the Bible at home?
 
goodcatholic said:
Maybe many of us Catholics are proud of the fact that we are not sola scriptura like those “foolish Protestants”.

If you’ve been on a Protestant forum, you notice most of the posts include a quote from the Bible. I do find it over the top that some are even afraid to use their own words to answer someone’s simple plea for sympathy and understanding.

Come on to a Catholic forum like CAF and you see very few quotes from the Bible. Are we deliberately trying to be different to them? Are we going to the other extreme? Ignoring the Bible?

I think we need a balance. I am personally overdue for a Saint Paul workout. All his epistles. Using commentaries from a Catholic library and youtube.

Just we need reminding of the importance of scripture even if it is not sole authority.
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Thank you:grinning:

I’m all in favor of us using the Bible so long as is clearly understand that whatever we “take away” from reading it aligns fully with the Ordinary Magisterium

2nd Peter 3: 14-18
“Therefore, beloved, since you wait for these, be zealous to be found by him without spot or blemish, and at peace. And count the forbearance of our Lord as salvation. So also our beloved brother Paul wrote to you according to the wisdom given him, speaking of this as he does in all his letters. There are some things in them hard to understand, which the ignorant and unstable twist to their own destruction, as they do the other scriptures. You therefore, beloved, knowing this beforehand, beware lest you be carried away with the error of lawless men and lose your own stability. But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be the glory both now and to the day of eternity. Amen”

2 Peter 1: 18-21
[18] "And this voice we heard brought from heaven, when we were with him in the holy mount. [19] And we have the more firm prophetical word: whereunto you do well to attend, as to a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts: [20] Understanding this first, that no prophecy of scripture is made by private interpretation. [21] For prophecy came not by the will of man at any time: but the holy men of God spoke, inspired by the Holy Ghost".

God Bless you, and I do encourage reading the bible,

Patrick
 
True enough. Disregarding the Bible is a little like trying to build a skyscraper without a foundation.

However, our highest form of communal worship is the Mass. And the Mass and all it offers and teaches, is the Bible alive in a living form. We hear Scripture in every prayer offered at Mass.
 
PJM said:
I’m all in favor of us using the Bible so long as is clearly understand that whatever we “take away” from reading it aligns fully with the Ordinary Magisterium
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In an ideal world that would be nice. But how many Catholics check the Magisterium before or after reading the Bible?
 
It is important to understand at least the main points of the Bible. It has been said that ignorance of the Bible is ignorance of God.

But, if you think about it, for millenia most couldn’t read. Their main source of the Bible was the Liturgy I suppose.
 
My statement was meant to reference the idea that Catholics are exposed to the Bible in a very intimate and personal form in the Mass. As to privately reading the Bible at home, I think that is up to each and every individual as to one’s personal need for knowledge.

I am at the age where I have been to so many masses, discussions, classes, etc. etc. that I have probably heard the entire Bible several times over. I think the need to read privately is probably a function of age and experience, in addition to one’s comfort with their own beliefs.
 
I think we need to re read verses. the ones that are really profound. Gospel of John feels very profound to me and worth reading daily IMO.
 
Just started to read scripture as much as I can – my protestant friend gave me a Bible for Christmas when I told her I didn’t own one. I feel like it enhances the mass experience.

I’ve attended and listened to several different protestant and evangelical sermons and even worship services and although protestants can easily quote scripture off the bat, we (Catholics) actually hear MORE of scripture within the hour (assume both masses and worship services are 1 hour). Their sermons are like long homilies that will quote one or two scriptures - - usually shorter verses, whereas we hear a whole paragraph.
 
Reading the Bible is great. I’ve read it all. I’ve also read the Church fathers and other early Christian writings. What am I doing wrong? The Protestants say scripture alone and no tradition yet it was tradition that even caused the Church to decide on the New Testament Canon in the late 4th century.

I often ask my Protestant friends what became of the early Christian’s who went to their graves thinking certain books were scripture that ultimately were excluded, or vice versa.
After Stephens martyrdom when he saw the "Son of Man seated at the right hand of the Father “, did Jesus say to him, " You idiot! I have to send you to hell because Paul, or Saul, the guy who just was responsible for your death, hasn’t written his letter to the Corinthians yet!”?
 
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No. I’m just saying that those who also attend daily Mass (at least sometimes) and pray the Liturgy of the Hours are probably exposed to a lot more scripture than the average Protestant.
 
BarreandBark said:
I feel like it enhances the mass experience.
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And that is exactly what is the aim of the Church in America with theologians like Jeff Cavins presenting his Bible Adventure series. And how many Catholics know the Salvation Story for instance in detail? From Exodus to Revelations?
 
daily mass? If you are going to daily Mass and reading up on the Readings before Mass, I’d say you are way ahead of the game. But if you are just “exposed”, at Mass without any reinforcement, I doubt the value to be honest.
 
Daily scripture reading as ‘the lamp to our feet and the light to our path’ - a daily guidance to our life. Using the mass readings for this purpose would be killing two birds with one stone since they are being read in the mass as well.

God bless.
 
goodcatholic said:
you mean a Catholic doesn’t need to read the Bible at home privately?
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Can you be a Catholic if you don’t read the Bible privately? YES!!!
Can you be a Protestant if you don’t read the Bible privately? Very very very difficult.
Should Catholics read the Bible at home privately? Of course!!! Should be encouraged to do so.
 
Still laugh over the old line, “If you want to hide something from a Catholic, put it in the Bible!”
 
ratio1 said:
Can you be a Catholic if you don’t read the Bible privately? YES!!!
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You can. You are not breaking any catholic golden rules.
but your spiritual life will be enhanced through more scripture awareness and used as a daily prayer stimulus.
 
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