No Non-Catholics Allowed

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A Catholic Church currently has two women bible studies and no men bible studies.
A male parishioner has volunteered to facilitate a men’s bible study using materials from Scott Hahn and Jeff Cavins. The parishioner wants the bulletin insert to advertise the upcoming men’s bible study by welcoming all Catholic and non-Catholic men to the in-church bible study. However, the non-Catholic part of the welcome notice was removed.

What do the forum members think of the decision to invite only Catholic men to the bible study which uses only Scott Hahn and Jeff Cavins Catholic resources?
 
If I had to guess, they want to maintain a Bible study and not open a public forum for debate.

If non-Catholics wish to study the Bible from a Catholic perspective, they need to go through RCIA to even understand Catholicism first.

It’s like having a running club for marathoners in training, no fat bodies allowed unless you meet a time standard. Otherwise, it turns into nothing beneficial for anyone. It frustrates the runners and enrages the fatties.

The only real way to make it totally right is to have a caveat that non-Catholics are allowed, but not to debate for reason of doctrine.

Of course, how many non-Catholics attend this parish are reading this parish bulletin and wanting to go to Bible Study? My guess would be almost none. I would further guess that such a person would be in RCIA and would be welcome as a person intended on full communion with the Church.

It’s exclusionary, but, for a benefit to all rather than a purposeful withholding of benefit from the non-Catholic.
 
My experience was with a moms group at the local church. The bulletin didn’t specify who was invited, other than moms. I knew about it after picking up a bulletin after Mass. I showed up. They’ve taken me in as their own. I’ve learned a bunch from them.

Personally I don’t think a distinction should be made. If something comes up I think it’s on the facilitator to keep the group focused and directed properly. The offender, Catholic or otherwise, should be asked to leave if it comes to it.

Believe me it’s an opportunity for evangelism and also to clarify the Church to that community.
 
GoodTony said:
What do the forum members think of the decision to invite only Catholic men to the bible study which uses only Scott Hahn and Jeff Cavins Catholic resources?
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Maybe and outright ban of non-Catholics is a little harsh, but it sounds to me like these folks have experienced the fact that some non-Catholics make very poor students at a Catholic bible study.
 
I’ve watched the series with Jeff Cavins and Dr. Hahn on EWTN.

Non-Catholics (who weren’t intent on converting) would probably be offended at this type of one-way-communication within a group of Catholics.

Are you perhaps taking the deletion in a way not intended?

By saying it is a Catholic Bible Study, a non-Catholic would then know that the theology expressed would support the doctrine of the Church.
 
Should have left out “Catholic or non-Catholic” wording and just left it at men.
 
GoodTony said:
A Catholic Church currently has two women bible studies and no men bible studies.
A male parishioner has volunteered to facilitate a men’s bible study using materials from Scott Hahn and Jeff Cavins. The parishioner wants the bulletin insert to advertise the upcoming men’s bible study by welcoming all Catholic and non-Catholic men to the in-church bible study. However, the non-Catholic part of the welcome notice was removed.

What do the forum members think of the decision to invite only Catholic men to the bible study which uses only Scott Hahn and Jeff Cavins Catholic resources?
Click to expand...
no response until I know the credentials and ability of the volunteer to lead a bible study, which materials he is using, how he will use them, and most of all, why he is inviting non-Catholics to participate in what is clearly a Catholic oriented program. Do non-Catholics regularly read the bulletin anyhow? Unless he and all the other Catholic participants are skilled in apologetics and are equipped to handle the challenges that will inevitibly be posed by non-CAtholic participants, I agree with the pastor it is not prudent, at least at this time. In any case what I think is irrelevant. What does the pastor think?
 
GoodTony said:
A Catholic Church currently has two women bible studies and no men bible studies.
A male parishioner has volunteered to facilitate a men’s bible study using materials from Scott Hahn and Jeff Cavins. The parishioner wants the bulletin insert to advertise the upcoming men’s bible study by welcoming all Catholic and non-Catholic men to the in-church bible study. However, the non-Catholic part of the welcome notice was removed.

What do the forum members think of the decision to invite only Catholic men to the bible study which uses only Scott Hahn and Jeff Cavins Catholic resources?
Click to expand...
Hmm… I don’t really see a problem as this is a Catholic Bible Study right? I mean if I were to host a family reunion, should both family and the public be invited? I guess that if the volunteer wants to use a Bible study to attempt to evangelize non-Catholics he may have a point. However, the name of the event should be changed from Catholic Bible Study to Evangelization Party.

I, as a Catholic, might very well be interested in attending a Catholic Bible Study for the sole purpose of learning about Bible teaching and how it relates to Church dogma. However, I would in NO way be interested in attending meetings where Church teachings were called into question by non-Catholics.
I believe that the parish is correct in allowing a Catholic Bible Study for men, to be billed as a Catholic Bible Study for men; but I’m kinda odd that way. 😃
 
GoodTony said:
The parishioner wants the bulletin insert to advertise the upcoming men’s bible study by welcoming all Catholic and non-Catholic men to the in-church bible study. However, the non-Catholic part of the welcome notice was removed.
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I don’t think it would be a good idea to have a Parish approved Bible study where both Catholic and Non-Catholics would be invited mainly because this is an open invite to people within the parish. Bible studies mixed with Catholics and Non-Catholics and become quite heated and they often turn from being Bible studies to fights about Catholic beliefs and Traditions.

Mixed groups like this should be made with very specific people who do not struggle with their Catholic faith and are ready and willing to defend it. I could see the Bible study becoming very uncomfortable to a Catholic who is new to the faith or possibly trying to deepen their understanding of Catholic teachings.

Check out this article by Steve Ray on this topics. It has some insight as to how mixing the groups could change the agenda:

catholic.com/magazine/articles/should-catholics-go-to-non-denominational-bible-studies
 
mark_a said:
Maybe and outright ban of non-Catholics is a little harsh, but it sounds to me like these folks have experienced the fact that some non-Catholics make very poor students at a Catholic bible study.
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😃
 
In our parish, we have an Inquirer’s class that runs in conjunction with the RCIA class. The inquirer’s class is designed for non-Catholics (or fallen-away Catholics) to ask whatever questions they want to about the Catholic faith. The hope is that they will eventually join the RCIA class.

Since the same people that run the Inquirer’s Class happens to run the Catholic Bible study, I don’t see much issue with having non-Catholics be involved with our Catholic Bible study.

This issue comes down to what the priest wants as well as who is offering to run the class though.

My two cents
 
There is a time for evangelization and there is a time to grow in our faith. Sometimes these two can mix but most times they should probably take place apart from one another.

A Bible Study is a time to grow in faith, not so much a time to evangelize.

I would say the no non-Catholics thing is a wise decision to make. It avoids conflict and will allow those participating to just focus on themselves instead of focusing on defending their faith and/or having to answer basic questions about Catholicism that they may already understand.

Just my two cents.
 
nickybr38 said:
A Bible Study is a time to grow in faith, not so much a time to evangelize.

I would say the no non-Catholics thing is a wise decision to make. It avoids conflict and will allow those participating to just focus on themselves instead of focusing on defending their faith and/or having to answer basic questions about Catholicism that they may already understand.

Just my two cents.
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What I’ve witnessed in exclusive Catholics Only Bible studies is that questions will pop up on how or what other faiths view on the discussed verse and why they don’t share our interpretation. Then a few will make incorrect interpretations of what another faith believes which simply spreads the inaccuracy.

I guess I fail to see why others see it as beneficial to keep non-Catholics out. What’s more important is that there is someone present in these bible studies that can handle Catholic and non-Catholic conversations. Properly handled, it can be an enlightening experience for everyone.
 
blueadept said:
What I’ve witnessed in exclusive Catholics Only Bible studies is that questions will pop up on how or what other faiths view on the discussed verse and why they don’t share our interpretation. Then a few will make incorrect interpretations of what another faith believes which simply spreads the inaccuracy.

I guess I fail to see why others see it as beneficial to keep non-Catholics out. What’s more important is that there is someone present in these bible studies that can handle Catholic and non-Catholic conversations. Properly handled, it can be an enlightening experience for everyone.
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A Bible Study shouldn’t be denominational. It should be a BIBLE study. Not a time to look at what other denominations teach. I’d suggest a strong leader who can keep things on topic. 🤷
 
nickybr38 said:
A Bible Study shouldn’t be denominational. It should be a BIBLE study. Not a time to look at what other denominations teach. I’d suggest a strong leader who can keep things on topic. 🤷
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I agree wholeheartedly. It is meant to further the understanding of the Catholic faith. Other denominations can be explained in another study forum and place. It is not wrong to understand other faiths, but to strengthen one’s own, it is important for the person to read from the Bible and understand the church’s teachings. To be able to properly explain it to others of different denominations.

God Bless,
Bernadette173
 
Is there a difference between teaching CCD and running a Catholic Bible study?

I’ve taught CCD for 7 years now as well participated in various bible studies. I personally have different expectations of these two functions but I’m now curious what others think.
 
blueadept said:
Is there a difference between teaching CCD and running a Catholic Bible study?

I’ve taught CCD for 7 years now as well participated in various bible studies. I personally have different expectations of these two functions but I’m now curious what others think.
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I attended CCD as a youngster, and it is to build the foundation of the knowledge of Jesus and God the Father and the Holy Spirit. Bible study is to further the understanding of not just the passages in the Bible but how to apply them to the world in which we live today. That is my understanding of Bible study. I may have missed out on some of the points, but it is a quick summary of what Bible study is.

God Bless,
Bernadette173**
 
Bernadette173 said:
I attended CCD as a youngster, and it is to build the foundation of the knowledge of Jesus and God the Father and the Holy Spirit. Bible study is to further the understanding of not just the passages in the Bible but how to apply them to the world in which we live today. That is my understanding of Bible study. I may have missed out on some of the points, but it is a quick summary of what Bible study is.

God Bless,
Bernadette173**
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Agreed. Unless you live in a predominantly Catholic country, one must deal with non- Catholics and Bible study should be a place to strengthen us to do that.
 
nickybr38 said:
A Bible Study shouldn’t be denominational. It should be a BIBLE study. Not a time to look at what other denominations teach. I’d suggest a strong leader who can keep things on topic. 🤷
Click to expand...
I totally agree with you!

It is a mistake to make such negative assumptions about non-Catholics. How are we to learn if not by being taught? RCIA is for those who are ready, at least on a basic level, to make a committment to the church, is it not? How are we to become ready to make such a committment? Most people aren’t going to make such a committment blindly. Those who would, would likely not be taking the committment very seriously.

I am not Catholic, but I attend a Catholic Bible study at a local parish. One of the reasons I have hesitated to join the church officially is the Catholic church’s open, almost immediate rejection of non-Catholics. I can’t tell you how many times I have been attacked by a Catholic simply for not being one. To simply question, is often to risk getting a response of open hostility. I have learned to begin any question with an apology for asking to avoid being lashed out at (which frankly, I don’t feel anyone should have to do) * My hesitance to join the church has nothing to do with church doctrine.* My concern is that the church does not give the impression of being very welcoming or accepting. I also consider the fact that I plan to one day be a mother. I want my children to know that following Christ involves demonstrating the qualities of Christ to others (which includes love, patience, longsuffering, forgiveness-obviously I could go on and on). I’m not saying the Catholic church lacks these entirely, because the friend who invited me to the Bible study is a very caring, self-sacrificing person who I very much admire. I am saying, however, that I am concerned. The people of God need to be people who reach out to others the way Christ did, rather than kick them in the teeth for looking in His direction. I am literally fearful of the church, and I am a fairly strong-willed individual (just ask my parents, ha-ha! :D)
 
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