Non Denominational bible study?

[Beachcomber]

I was in a non-denom Bible study for several years and it was helpful in introducing me to the Bible and to learn study methods. But this was during the time I was not an active Catholic, so I really didn’t have any issues about any anti-Catholicism that might be present.

However, since you’re a new Catholic, my opinion is maybe you shouldn’t attend. As several other posters have mentioned, there is an undertone of anti-Catholicism present in those studies and they go rather heavily on the “you must be saved” sort of stuff. (It isn’t just anti-Catholicism, you should hear how they bash Mormons. Their attitudes bothered me and I’m not LDS).

One poster mentioned Catholic Home Study Service by the KC. Go for it! It’s really great. I did one of their courses and it was informative and fun. Another website I like is (I think this is it) Salvationhistory. This is one with material by Scott Hahn and he’s great. If this isn’t it, I’m sure a knowledgeable poster will let us know.

 

[reed987]

Based on my experience of going to many different non catholic bible studies during High School I’d have to say this honestly:
Going to a non denominational bible study is about as safe as a hard core conservative joining the liberal club at a university.

Just like Politics, religion is a topic that people of different opinions can 99.9% of the time never talk about without raising their tempers and eventually despising each other. When I lived in Colorado Springs back in 06 (the Evangelical Vatican as it is locally called) I got invited to a really really wacko church for bible study. After several explosive arguments I was excommunicated and publicly humiliated in front of the entire congregation. I never went back to any non catholic church after that. That wasn’t just a bizarre example either. I was invited to a baptist church for bible study some years ago too. The pastor and congregation spent most of their time giving me a crash course on what’s wrong with catholicism (half of which was flat out made up) and started harassing me when I told them I wasn’t comfortable going to their church anymore. I have encountered nothing but hate and anger from non catholic bible studies and nothing but joy and good fellowship from my catholic church’s bible studies.

I know it’s tempting but I can’t see anything good coming from it.

 

[royal_archer]

It was tried and our pastor has told us that the kids are too busy with secular activities.

We’ll just stick with what we’re doing. We don’t fear Protestants like so many here do. I worry more about the secular world that denies God entirely.

The secular world is a wolf but the protestant movement is a wolf in sheeps clothing. They do not overtly argue against Christianity, they turn followers away to an alternate form of Chrisitanity. Also, realize that the protestant movement was not started with followers of Luther. John talks about the early protestants (those who leave the church) in his gospel. (John 6.66).

 

[DOShea]

I would like to second one of kage_ar’s suggestions… talk to your Pastor. Tell him your concerns, and I would start with your concern about not knowing any other women in the parish that you can talk to, Catholic mom to Catholic mom. If your Pastor is anything like mine, he’ll have a list of 10 women he wants to introduce you to by the time you finish the sentence. Know why? Because you are not alone.

When my wife and I were much younger and had little ones, and I had to move around the country for work, she often found herself in similar circumstances. She would look for anyone at Church with a toddler and intercept them after Mass and introduce herself, hoping to find someone just to “know.” Most often the women she’d meet were so glad she introduced herself, because they felt like you do. They had family, but no other “Church friends” that were also young moms, and were looking for opportunities for socializing given the responsibilities of motherhood. We many many friends that way, some still exchange letters and cards with us decades later.

I probably have a different viewpoint on Bible study than most, but I’ll offer my perspective on it and you do with it what you will. I think it is a BIG mistake for anyone who doesn’t know much about the Bible or maybe hasn’t read much of it to participate in a “Bible Study” unless it is something specific to one book and taught by someone with credentials to teach it. My reason for feeling this way is experience only. I’ve been to Catholic and many flavors of Protestant Bible studies and what I’ve found is that there is usually one or two people, the most assertive usually, who tend to dominate the thought process. Many times it was distracting to me to listen to bickering over some minute point and lose the beauty of the whole passage or book.

So my advice to you would be to get hold of a good Catholic study Bible, one with plenty of commentary and notes, and start reading it. You will learn just as much and the stories will be more meaningful to you when interpreted by your heart than by the heart of a few others who like to talk. Also read up on Bible history, and you can do that online. The resources available on this forum will more than get you started. Then later, when you have more familiarity with it, then look to enrich it with Bible study in a group.

 

[TLM08]

I would not recommend attending a “non denominational” bible study. I know several people who attempted this, and it always ends up the same way: Catholic on the defense, non-Catholics trying to “save” them, and “former” Catholics bashing the Church. I don’t know anyone who has successfully attended a non-denom bible study.

Get bible study materials that are Catholic. If there isn’t a mom’s bible study/mom’s group in your parish, put something in the bulletin and have a meeting to get one started.

Roman Catholic teachings regarding salvation are very different than what’s found in the New Testament. There is absolutely no way around this. Studying the Bible simply for what it say will make it very difficult for her to remain catholic.

 

[FrancisB]

Roman Catholic teachings regarding salvation are very different than what’s found in the New Testament. There is absolutely no way around this. Studying the Bible simply for what it say will make it very difficult for her to remain catholic.

Protestantism is heresy. It talks right in Matthew 25 as well as in the epistles about the Catholic teaching on salvation. The Orthodox Churches happen to share it. But this is a perfect example of how studying with Protestants will get them to try to pull you into heresy.

 

[JRKH]

Originally Posted by TLM08
Roman Catholic teachings regarding salvation are very different than what’s found in the New Testament. There is absolutely no way around this. Studying the Bible simply for what it say will make it very difficult for her to remain catholic.

The Bible also teaches about the Authority of the Church to settle disputes in the congregation, which would include disagreements on doctrines and teachings.
This is conveneiantly “redefined” by Protestants who “stick to the Bible” and ignore the Early Church Fathers and the development of Doctrine.
Instead, no matter how conflicting they are with other protestants, they all claim Spirit Guided" interpretation.

Peace
James

 

[FrancisB]

The Bible also teaches about the Authority of the Church to settle disputes in the congregation, which would include disagreements on doctrines and teachings.
This is conveneiantly “redefined” by Protestants who “stick to the Bible” and ignore the Early Church Fathers and the development of Doctrine.
Instead, no matter how conflicting they are with other protestants, they all claim Spirit Guided" interpretation.

Peace
James

Hence why it is so dangerous to study scripture with Protestants. They don’t believe in the same things we do; they don’t even have the same Bible, since Luther removed what he didn’t like.

 

[TLM08]

The Bible also teaches about the Authority of the Church to settle disputes in the congregation, which would include disagreements on doctrines and teachings.
This is conveneiantly “redefined” by Protestants who “stick to the Bible” and ignore the Early Church Fathers and the development of Doctrine.
Instead, no matter how conflicting they are with other protestants, they all claim Spirit Guided" interpretation.

Peace
James

Paul’s warning to the Galatians leaves no room for the “development” of doctrine my friend. As soon as doctrine “develops” you have a different gospel! Those that preach this different gospel are condemned… Even an angel from Heaven would be condemned for this! You cannot study the Bible and find anyone confessing sins to…and being absolved by a priest. Nowhere in the New Testament do the apostles offer the Sacrifice of the Mass. There isn’t even a whisper in the New Testament about even the concept of Purgatory!

The early church fathers are not inspired. Even those who learned at the feet of the apostles were prone to error. Many letters in the New Testament were written specifically to correct errors and false teachings that were creeping into the church!

"I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting the one who called you by the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel— which is really no gospel at all. Evidently some people are throwing you into confusion and are trying to pervert the gospel of Christ. But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach a gospel other than the one we preached to you, let him be eternally condemned! As we have already said, so now I say again: If anybody is preaching to you a gospel other than what you accepted, let him be eternally condemned!
Galatians 1:6-9

"…if you confess with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved. As the Scripture says, "Anyone who trusts in him will never be put to shame. For there is no difference between Jew and Gentile—the same Lord is Lord of all and richly blesses all who call on him, for, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” Romans 10:9-13

True believers obey Christ and do good works out of the purest form of love for what Christ has done for us by dying in our place on the cross… Not out of fear of condemnation!

 

[JRKH]

Paul’s warning to the Galatians leaves no room for the “development” of doctrine my friend. As soon as doctrine “develops” you have a different gospel! Those that preach this different gospel are condemned… Even an angel from Heaven would be condemned for this! You cannot study the Bible and find anyone confessing sins to…and being absolved by a priest. Nowhere in the New Testament do the apostles offer the Sacrifice of the Mass. There isn’t even a whisper in the New Testament about even the concept of Purgatory!

The early church fathers are not inspired. Even those who learned at the feet of the apostles were prone to error. Many letters in the New Testament were written specifically to correct errors and false teachings that were creeping into the church!

"I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting the one who called you by the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel— which is really no gospel at all. Evidently some people are throwing you into confusion and are trying to pervert the gospel of Christ. But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach a gospel other than the one we preached to you, let him be eternally condemned! As we have already said, so now I say again: If anybody is preaching to you a gospel other than what you accepted, let him be eternally condemned!
Galatians 1:6-9

"…if you confess with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved. As the Scripture says, "Anyone who trusts in him will never be put to shame. For there is no difference between Jew and Gentile—the same Lord is Lord of all and richly blesses all who call on him, for, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” Romans 10:9-13

True believers obey Christ and do good works out of the purest form of love for what Christ has done for us by dying in our place on the cross… Not out of fear of condemnation!

Your concluding statement is the best thing in the above and I agree one hundred percent. I’m not sure if, or why, you would think that such a statement did not apply to Catholic belief.

All of these arguments tire me for they only prove, as so many have already said, that “Scripture alone” cannot resolve our disagreements without a learned, visible and Authoritative Arbiter. We can BOTH appeal to being “Spirit Guided” and we can both appeal to Scriptural support. But this does not bring us together in Christian unity.
Therefore, once again I appeal to my Christian Brethren to join me, in obedience to Christ’s command and instruction as recorded in the Bible, and “Tell it To The Church” Mt 18:15-18. The Church St. Paul calls the “Pillar and Foundation of Truth”.
Tell me then, How shall we obey Christ in this most important matter? Tell me, dear friend, How shall we proceed?

Peace
James

 

[royal_archer]

Would you seek medical advice from someone who’s only knowledge of medicine came from him and a few like minded individuals who sat around studying a medical book that was a rewrite of another medical book where the person rewriting the book was not a full doctor?

Jesus taught his disciples and passed to them the Holy Spirit and his complete teaching. These disciples took on additional disciples and passed the Holy Spirit and teachings on. They also taught the masses and some helpers whom they endowed with some authority over and above that of the disciples. The lineage of disciples lead to the Bishops of today and the helpers are the priest, deacons, and others of holy orders.

Due to the rapid expansion of the church and poor communication and transportation, the disciples began independently writing down summaries of the key points to be used as a reference. These references were to be used as part of the teaching but part of a greater exposure to the broader teachings passed down from Jesus till today.

The protestant bibles are like the aforementioned medical text in that their bibles are lesser interpretations of a summary reference. The full Christian Bible as was used prior to Luther and by Catholics today, is an accurate reference but still one that must be interpreted in context. The full teachings as passed on from Disciple to Disciple offer the full context guided by the Holy Spirit.

Reading a Bible in different contexts can give you results as seen in the Baptist KKK or in the Branch Davidians or a host of other infamous extremes from groups who claim to be Christians.

Even if the group has good intent and is no where near those extremes of the slippery slope, they still are not able to provide the quality of study as you would get from a group guided by the fuller teachings of Jesus.

Back to the medical analogy, would you rather be treated by someone who memorized a summary medical reference or someone who has been trained, licensed, and experienced in a world renowned medical facility with that facilities full support?

 

[TLM08]

…Therefore, once again I appeal to my Christian Brethren to join me, in obedience to Christ’s command and instruction as recorded in the Bible, and “Tell it To The Church” Mt 18:15-18. The Church St. Paul calls the “Pillar and Foundation of Truth”.
Tell me then, How shall we obey Christ in this most important matter? Tell me, dear friend, How shall we proceed?

Peace
James

There were many churches (plural) in the New Testament, Corinth… Galatia…Thessolonica… Philippi, Rome Colossae, Ephesus… etc. Seven Churches are mentioned in the Book of Revelation. Yes, there is one Body of Christ and that is his church indeed.

I am not saying that there isn’t a good deal of truth in Roman Catholicism. But nowhere in the New Testament does one Church location hold centralized infallible authority and lord it over the rest. The current centralized power structure of the Catholic Church was modeled after… and is a remnant of the Roman political power structure of the 4th century.

There is a historical fact… not opinion.
Peace.

 

[yellowbird]

. The current centralized power structure of the Catholic Church was modeled after… and is a remnant of the Roman political power structure of the 4th century.

And the thousands of different Protestant Churches remind me of the Tower of Babel. Everyone speaking differently resulting in total chaos and mass confusion.

 

[royal_archer]

There were many churches (plural) in the New Testament, Corinth… Galatia…Thessolonica… Philippi, Rome Colossae, Ephesus… etc. Seven Churches are mentioned in the Book of Revelation. Yes, there is one Body of Christ and that is his church indeed.

I am not saying that there isn’t a good deal of truth in Roman Catholicism. But nowhere in the New Testament does one Church location hold centralized infallible authority and lord it over the rest. The current centralized power structure of the Catholic Church was modeled after… and is a remnant of the Roman political power structure of the 4th century.

There is a historical fact… not opinion.
Peace.

And there are many diocese and parishes today. Physical separation in a time when communication and travel was extremely hard is not the same as a philosophical separation. The true power of the church comes from the Bishops, not Rome.

 

[JRKH]

There were many churches (plural) in the New Testament, Corinth… Galatia…Thessolonica… Philippi, Rome Colossae, Ephesus… etc. Seven Churches are mentioned in the Book of Revelation. Yes, there is one Body of Christ and that is his church indeed.

I am not saying that there isn’t a good deal of truth in Roman Catholicism. But nowhere in the New Testament does one Church location hold centralized infallible authority and lord it over the rest. The current centralized power structure of the Catholic Church was modeled after… and is a remnant of the Roman political power structure of the 4th century.

There is a historical fact… not opinion.
Peace.

Others have given some insights that I hope you will consider, but I will offer this.

Consider for a moment what St. Paul’s reaction would have been if the Church in Antioch, after receiving the Letter from the Apostles in Jerusalem, had seperated into two “Churchs” in Antioch. One adhering to the letter from the Apostles and the other adhering to the teachings of the Judaizers.

This idea could be expanded to any situation in any of the Churches.
What if Corinth, after Prayerful reflection on Scripture, determined that Paul was teaching wrong. Paul Himself tell us that we should “Search Scripture” sot verify, and “…If I or an Angel from Heaven teach a different Gospel…” So if Corinth rejects Pauls teaching based on their own interpretation of Scripture what do you think Paul would would say?

If the “Church” has no central authority, then how do you know the Gnostics aren’t right? How about the Arians? Who determined that these were heretical beliefs?

These are just points I hope you will consider in trying to understand what Christ meant when He told us to “Tell it To The Church”.

By the way I completely agree that the Church is comprised of teh “Body of Believers” but this does not negate a “Body of Believers” having a structure for the protection of it’s beliefs and unity.

Peace
James

 

[Lerin]

I just want to say as a former Protestant in “Bible-Only” churches…

There is absolutely no such thing as a “non-denominational” Bible study. The Bible, when you remove Church history and authority and context, will be manipulated into affirming someone’s personal ideas of what it says.

It sounds like there are many good ideas here for alternatives.

 

[TLM08]

…The Bible, when you remove Church history and authority and context, will be manipulated into affirming someone’s personal ideas of what it says.

I agree! Except the teaching magisterium must march in lockstep with prior “infallible proclaimations”. Scripture has probably been the most abused text in the history of mankind. Catholic hierarchy is no different than anyone else with an opinion. They just have a lot more rigid control of the flock. Centuries ago, this was so much true that any public disagreement often resulted in the “rebel” being tortured and subsequently burned alive at the stake. Thank God they have a more gentle approach these days.

 

[royal_archer]

…
There is absolutely no such thing as a “non-denominational” Bible study. …

Catholic means “universal”. In the beginning there were no denominations, there were groupings such as Franciscans who developed with various cultural differences but the same Christian beliefs. Jesus did not tell each of his Disciples to each go and form a church; he created one church with all disciples in unity. The denominations as we know them today are only spin off groups that have left the church that Christ established now referred to as Catholic. As such you could argue that Catholicism is non denominational.

 

[royal_archer]

I agree! Except the teaching magisterium must march in lockstep with prior “infallible proclaimations”. Scripture has probably been the most abused text in the history of mankind. Catholic hierarchy is no different than anyone else with an opinion. They just have a lot more rigid control of the flock. Centuries ago, this was so much true that any public disagreement often resulted in the “rebel” being tortured and subsequently burned alive at the stake. Thank God they have a more gentle approach these days.

There is a big difference. First, scripture comes from the Church (Catholic Church). The New Testament is the notes written down by Catholics and a summary of the teachings of Catholics. The Church existed before the Bible (New Testament) and through canonization by the church the Bible is given its authority. The Catholic “hierarchy” is simply the lineage of apostles (through teaching not through birth). The Bishops were given authority directly from Jesus and continue to pass this down to today.

 

[TLM08]

There is a big difference. First, scripture comes from the Church (Catholic Church). The New Testament is the notes written down by Catholics and a summary of the teachings of Catholics. The Church existed before the Bible (New Testament) and through canonization by the church the Bible is given its authority. The Catholic “hierarchy” is simply the lineage of apostles (through teaching not through birth). The Bishops were given authority directly from Jesus and continue to pass this down to today.

According to the Book of Acts, among the requirements to be an apostle,one must have been witness to the ministry of Jesus Christ.

Therefore it is necessary to choose one of the men who have been with us the whole time the Lord Jesus went in and out among us, beginning from John’s baptism to the time when Jesus was taken up from us. For one of these must become a witness with us of his resurrection." Acts 1:21-22

Apostolic succession died with the last apostle. There is no way around it