non-Catholic bible study?

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buckr02

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I was doing homework at school the other day when a girl came around asking people if they’d be interested in a bible study group that meets on Tuesdays. She told me the group that holds it is a Christian group and by its name, I could tell it wasn’t Catholic. With my busy schedule it would be nice to get involved with something at school, but I don’t know if I should participate in a non-Catholic Bible study. I told the girl I would meet with her to discuss things, as I figured I would want to ask some Catholics about this before committing. Would something like this be benificial or would the fact that it’s not Catholic be a bad idea? I’m in the process of finding what denomination the group is, so I can post that information later if it’s necessary.

Thanks,
BuckR
 
Your probably going to disagree alot on the scriptures and they are probably going to tell you how wrong you are and that your not christian too. Yeah, i have allready had my bible study fun with protestants.😉
 
Attending a non-Catholic bible-study may be a bit problematic for you. It’s best if you attend a Catholic bible-study first, shore up on your Faith, and get the correct interpretation of the bible.
 
buckr02 said:
I was doing homework at school the other day when a girl came around asking people if they’d be interested in a bible study group that meets on Tuesdays. She told me the group that holds it is a Christian group and by its name, I could tell it wasn’t Catholic. With my busy schedule it would be nice to get involved with something at school, but I don’t know if I should participate in a non-Catholic Bible study. I told the girl I would meet with her to discuss things, as I figured I would want to ask some Catholics about this before committing. Would something like this be benificial or would the fact that it’s not Catholic be a bad idea? I’m in the process of finding what denomination the group is, so I can post that information later if it’s necessary.

Thanks,
BuckR
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Generally, I would say that it is a bad idea for a Catholic to attend Protestant Bible studies UNLESS, that Catholic is extremely grounded in his/her faith and can defend it well. Why? because the purpose of the study is to gain a better understanding of Scripture, and the “group” will attempt to do this by coming to a universal agreement on specific issues. While Catholics and Protestants agree on much within Scripture, there are a number of issues that we do not agree on. Will you be able to defend the Catholic position when these issues arise? Finally, there is the possibility of “losing the faith.” If you surround yourself with Protestants and hear over and over again Protestant views on Scripture and religion in general, an ungrounded or poorly taught Catholic may find him/her self being led away from the Church. I know of Catholics who were not taught properly and without evening realizing it took on Protestant views on issues like OSAS, forgiveness, etc. In the end, they walked away from the Catholic Church and “went Protestant.” 😦
So, I guess what I’m saying is that for most of us (myself included) it is far better to find a Catholic Bible Study rather than attending a Protestant Bible Study.
 
So I found out that the group is a Presbyterian group. Do you still have the same advice? I’m not sure what the Presbyterian’s are all about.
 
I agree with the previous comments. If you’re grounded in your faith, you should be OK. In fact, you’d be surprised how much of a witness you can be just being a Catholic who comes to a Bible study. (I’ve met Protestants who were genuinely surprised that I even OWNED a Bible.)

On the flipside, if they see you floundering around the Bible and not being able to answer questions, you run the risk of embarassing Catholics.

Just remember:
  1. If you have any questions about anything they’ve said in the Bible study group, be sure to ask it here.
  2. Don’t be a “noob” and act like you’ve never read those stories before, even if it really is the first time. 🙂
 
Unless you are a masochist, I do not advice you.
Well I have learn alot about the Bible by just reading it.
Get a NAVARRE OR IGNATIOUS STUDY BIBLE FIRST.
 
What’s the worse thing that could happen to you? Becoming Presbyterian??

You have the chance to be social, form friendships, and perhaps even influence the thinking of a group of Christians who might not have thought otherwise if you choose to be an elitist and say “No.” Will you be questioned? It’s highly likely. Will you, at times, be stumped for answers? Possibly. Does that mean that Catholicism is the wrong path? No. If anything, being challenged will give you initiative to understand more about the Christianity which you share with Presbyterians.

She was kind enough to ask you, knowing you are Christian. That’s all that should matter. Sectarian divisions ruined Ireland, the Middle East, and it’s ruining Christendom.
 
I am Protestant and wanting to become Catholic. I am very suprised how some Catholics think about us Protestants. We are called heretics, and at times made to look like untouchables. Catholics and Protestants really need to dialogue more to see how much we agree on theology. I agree about attending a non-Catholic Bible study. You will form friendships, learn what we believe and why we believe it. We just didnt make up our theology…there are actual reasons as to why we believe what we believe. Many Protestants think badly of Catholics, and vise-verca. We really need to find common ground.
 
As a former Presbyterian who became a Catholic, I would advise finding a Catholic bible study on campus…and I know you can find one if you look for it. I say this for the very reason you mentioned…your time constraints. You will be much better off learning and strengthening your own Catholic faith rather than spending time on something else…at least right now. And if you’re considering making time for this study, but don’t go to Mass every week, then I would make attending Mass your first priority.

Years from now, you will look back and realize that college can be a vulnerable time and its best to stay grounded in what you know and believe.

And I can point out one major belief that you will not share with Presbyterians…and that is regarding the Eucharist, which is the very body and blood of Jesus Christ (John 6). Prebyterians consider communion purely a symbolic rememberance of the last supper. The only “presence” they believe in during communion is related to groups gathered in prayer (Matt. 18:20).

I was in your place once, and I thought these differences were negligible…after all, there’s only one God, right? But, as I’ve grown in age and my faith, I can look back and see that I underestimated these differences.

So, make sure you are tending to your Catholic faith first before dabbling in others.

rocketrob
 
buckr02;:
if I should participate in a non-Catholic Bible study.
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The major factors are:
  • What the ground rules of the Bible Study are;
  • What is the focus of the Bible Study to be;
  • Is this application or doctrine;
On the plus side:
An ecumenical Bible Study group can help one learn a lot more about why one’s denomination holds the beliefs that it does, than a non-ecumenical Bible Study can do.

On the negative side:
If there is no mutual respect of what others believe, then everybody suffers. (The minority side feels that they are being continually attacked. The majority side feels that the minority is provoking an argument, for no good reason.)

You may be exposed to beliefs, practices, doctrines, and understandings that are considered to be heretical to Catholicism.

You should be exposed to beliefs, practices, etc that challenge your faith in what you really believe, and practice. (If the Bible Study meetings are worth attending, that will happen.)

xan

jonathon
 
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