Protestant Hunger for the Bible

[Pjs2ejs]

I know many non-Catholic Christians who are really into Bible Study. I mean, they can’t get enough of it, two three different studies per week. They then claim that the Catholic church doesn’t read the bible that much and study it, and so on. I know many of my 20s and 30-something friends and family have been challenged by non-Catholics as to their study of the bible. And many Catholics have jumped ship.

But I have a new take on this. Maybe it’s not new but here we go:

Personally, I do not have a hunger for bible study. I enjoy reading the bible. I enjoy listening to scripture at mass. But I am not in a formal bible study, and I never have been. But what causes this hunger for the bible? I mean, they can’t get enough of it.

I figured out the answer. And it says it right in the bible. What is the one thing that Jesus gave to us that he promised if we did it, we would never hunger again? What is the one distinctive thing the Catholic church (for the most part) practices that protestantism does not.

The Eucharist. The true food and true drink Jesus gave us. His body, blood, soul and divinity.

Now, don’t get me wrong, scripture is the third leg of the three-legged stool of Christian authority. Along with Tradition (T) and the Magesterium. I am in no way saying the Bible is not important, nor would the Catholic Church ever teach that. But I do think that the Protestant’s hunger for “scripture after scripture” tells something about them.

 

[Rightlydivide]

I know many non-Catholic Christians who are really into Bible Study. I mean, they can’t get enough of it, two three different studies per week. They then claim that the Catholic church doesn’t read the bible that much and study it, and so on. I know many of my 20s and 30-something friends and family have been challenged by non-Catholics as to their study of the bible. And many Catholics have jumped ship.

But I have a new take on this. Maybe it’s not new but here we go:

Personally, I do not have a hunger for bible study. I enjoy reading the bible. I enjoy listening to scripture at mass. But I am not in a formal bible study, and I never have been. But what causes this hunger for the bible? I mean, they can’t get enough of it.

I figured out the answer. And it says it right in the bible. What is the one thing that Jesus gave to us that he promised if we did it, we would never hunger again? What is the one distinctive thing the Catholic church (for the most part) practices that protestantism does not.

The Eucharist. The true food and true drink Jesus gave us. His body, blood, soul and divinity.

Now, don’t get me wrong, scripture is the third leg of the three-legged stool of Christian authority. Along with Tradition (T) and the Magesterium. I am in no way saying the Bible is not important, nor would the Catholic Church ever teach that. But I do think that the Protestant’s hunger for “scripture after scripture” tells something about them.

I have never used one of the Smilies before so… BIG SMILE!

 

[allischalmers]

My day is not complete unless I spend atleast an hour studying Gods Word. It just seems it is a gift that God gives Christian to love Jesus Christ and his Word

 

[Eileen_T]

My day is not complete unless I spend atleast an hour studying Gods Word. It just seems it is a gift that God gives Christian to love Jesus Christ and his Word

As Fr Larry Richards says, “No Bible, no breakfast, no Bible, no bed.”

I read the Bible, not to study it, but so I can better understand God’s Revelation of Himself and so, love Him more. So I read some upon waking and again before sleeping, most days. During the day I reflect on what I read that morning which may have been very little, or a lot, because I usually read until something “jumps up” at me.

During the day I also spend 20-30 minutes meditating on the life of Jesus as I pray the rosary.

When it comes to study, I do that to “be able to give a reason for the faith that is in me,” when I witness to non-Catholics and unbelievers.

Just this week my non-Catholic boss asked me to come up with an answer over a difference he and someone we both work with in a matter of moral theology.

I was able to go back to them both with the answer, backing up Catholic Teaching on the matter with Scripture.

Both these men, through their intense study of the Bible have stopped attending formal services and it is due to that study. I am able to answer their questions about Catholic Teachings and beliefs from Scripture.

I believe that through their Bible Study, they are working their way into the Catholic Church.

 

[homewardbound]

They study and read nothing but the Bible because thats all they have. They have no other way to feel God, outside of prayer. Where Catholics have the Mass, where the Holy Spirit is much moreso than in any Protestant service since Catholics have the Eucharist. (my opinion from my own personal experience)

I still feel the need to read the Bible, and I think any Christian who doesn’t has something wrong with them But since converting I have found the Mass is another way to be near God and learn about Him, which is something I never had before.

 

[MarcoPolo]

While Protestants do not have the Eucharist, I would not make the blanket claim that many of them read lots and lots of Scripture because they still feel empty.

Especially because it is the only Revelation they believe (they do not think “Whoever hears you, hears Me” applies anymore…nor do most believe in apostolic succession by the laying of hands…and after a couple threads this week, most sure as heck don’t trust Tradition!! ) it would stand to reason they would go back only to it.

But I am intrigued by your line of thinking, and I would also not doubt that your idea applies to some.

 

[paarsurrey]

Now, don’t get me wrong, scripture is the third leg of the three-legged stool of Christian authority. Along with Tradition (T) and the Magesterium. I am in no way saying the Bible is not important, nor would the Catholic Church ever teach that. But I do think that the Protestant’s hunger for “scripture after scripture” tells something about them.

Hi

Now that is the wrong, in my opinion, for which the Protestants and other 32000plus denomination might have splitted into. The order of the means of guidance given above is just the reverse of what it should have been.

The first should be the exact word of revelation received from GodAllahYHWH by Jesus, which unfortunately is a very tiny portion of the Bible and that is the translation of translation while it should have been in Hebrew or Aramaic.

The second should have been the Act of Jesus performed in accordance with the Word revealed on Jesus from GodAllahYHWH.

The Tradition is the last one, which is unfortunatley the most of the NTBible.

So the hunger of the Protestants for the Scriptures is genuine, when it was not satisfied, they parted their ways .

This error needs to be rectified.

Thanks

 

[ShortyLaRock_82]

I know many non-Catholic Christians who are really into Bible Study. I mean, they can’t get enough of it, two three different studies per week. They then claim that the Catholic church doesn’t read the bible that much and study it, and so on. I know many of my 20s and 30-something friends and family have been challenged by non-Catholics as to their study of the bible. And many Catholics have jumped ship.

But I have a new take on this. Maybe it’s not new but here we go:

Personally, I do not have a hunger for bible study. I enjoy reading the bible. I enjoy listening to scripture at mass. But I am not in a formal bible study, and I never have been. But what causes this hunger for the bible? I mean, they can’t get enough of it.

I figured out the answer. And it says it right in the bible. What is the one thing that Jesus gave to us that he promised if we did it, we would never hunger again? What is the one distinctive thing the Catholic church (for the most part) practices that protestantism does not.

The Eucharist. The true food and true drink Jesus gave us. His body, blood, soul and divinity.

Now, don’t get me wrong, scripture is the third leg of the three-legged stool of Christian authority. Along with Tradition (T) and the Magesterium. I am in no way saying the Bible is not important, nor would the Catholic Church ever teach that. But I do think that the Protestant’s hunger for “scripture after scripture” tells something about them.

I think the real question you should be asking is why Catholics lack passion for God’s word.

 

[Adam41]

I think the real question you should be asking is why Catholics lack passion for God’s word.

I don’t think they do… as a general rule… and as a former Protestant, I can tell you the Bible is a much greater part of the Catholic Mass than ANY Evangelical service… we actually read the words in the Bible, not listen to a quote then a 45 min lecture from a minister who tells us what he thinks it means, we actually hear more of God’s Holy Word than any other protestant group out there.
Protestants “Love” the Bible because their entire faith is trapped inside it… they are their own leader, and they can interpret the Bible to mean anything they please, so it’s very important to study it.
I’d rather follow 2,000 years of sound teaching than the latest preacher telling me what the Bible “really” means.

 

[ShortyLaRock_82]

I don’t think they do… as a general rule… and as a former Protestant, I can tell you the Bible is a much greater part of the Catholic Mass than ANY Evangelical service… we actually read the words in the Bible, not listen to a quote then a 45 min lecture from a minister who tells us what he thinks it means, we actually hear more of God’s Holy Word than any other protestant group out there.
Protestants “Love” the Bible because their entire faith is trapped inside it… they are their own leader, and they can interpret the Bible to mean anything they please, so it’s very important to study it.
I’d rather follow 2,000 years of sound teaching than the latest preacher telling me what the Bible “really” means.

I get the impression that many Catholics are actually offended by the Bible, and accuse anyone who uses it of being ‘scripture only’.

 

[Adam41]

I get the impression that many Catholics are actually offended by the Bible, and accuse anyone who uses it of being ‘scripture only’.

I thought that too… but now understand it is fear of foolish interpretation of the bible. Evangelicals will tell you “I’m saved!” and “read the Bible!” and think anyone who believes anything different than they do is, for the most part, not saved.

Catholics recognize that most protestants don’t have the slightest clue how the Bible came to be, they can’t defend the canon they use (defined by the Catholic Church) and don’t know the first thing about the 2,000 years of history that came before them.

Most protestants view history like this:
Jesus.—>Apostles.---->Bible---->Me.

… and that does scare Catholics… we can’t have a conversation with someone who is totally ignorant about the subject… no matter how nice of a person they happen to be.

Be sure, Catholics love the Bible… we defined it… and defended it for many years before there was a single “Bible only Church”… and we intend to defend and promote the word of God for eternity… Praise God

 

[paarsurrey]

Most protestants view history like this:
Jesus.—>Apostles.---->Bible---->Me.

… and that does scare Catholics… we can’t have a conversation with someone who is totally ignorant about the subject… no matter how nice of a person they happen to be.

Be sure, Catholics love the Bible… we defined it… and defended it for many years before there was a single “Bible only Church”… and we intend to defend and promote the word of God for eternity… Praise God

Hi

I am an Ahmadi peaceful Muslim.
I think Bible must be preferred by both the Catholics and Protestants (and of course by the rest of the 32000 plus denominations) but as I have explained in this thread earlier it is in its present form only the third source of guidance for the Christians.

Thanks

 

[Metaron]

They study and read nothing but the Bible because thats all they have. They have no other way to feel God, outside of prayer. Where Catholics have the Mass, where the Holy Spirit is much moreso than in any Protestant service since Catholics have the Eucharist. (my opinion from my own personal experience)

I still feel the need to read the Bible, and I think any Christian who doesn’t has something wrong with them But since converting I have found the Mass is another way to be near God and learn about Him, which is something I never had before.

You’re absolutely right. Whereas Catholics can be in a closer union with Jesus, by means of the Mass, liturgy, devotions, saints, and, most especially, the Eucharist and Eucharistic Adoration… in Protestantism, you get… a Book. And prayer. There’s virtually no other way to seek God. And that’s all they have, unfortunately.

 

[Metaron]

I think the real question you should be asking is why Catholics lack passion for God’s word.

Answer is: we don’t. We can experience God in more perfect ways than Protestants, but we still read the Bible more in our public services. An OT reading, an Epistle reading, a Psalm, and a Gospel reading, every service. Far more than Protestant Bible readings in their services.

 

[SIA]

I know many non-Catholic Christians who are really into Bible Study. I mean, they can’t get enough of it, two three different studies per week. They then claim that the Catholic church doesn’t read the bible that much and study it, and so on. I know many of my 20s and 30-something friends and family have been challenged by non-Catholics as to their study of the bible. And many Catholics have jumped ship.

But I have a new take on this. Maybe it’s not new but here we go:

Personally, I do not have a hunger for bible study. I enjoy reading the bible. I enjoy listening to scripture at mass. But I am not in a formal bible study, and I never have been. But what causes this hunger for the bible? I mean, they can’t get enough of it.

I figured out the answer. And it says it right in the bible. What is the one thing that Jesus gave to us that he promised if we did it, we would never hunger again? What is the one distinctive thing the Catholic church (for the most part) practices that protestantism does not.

The Eucharist. The true food and true drink Jesus gave us. His body, blood, soul and divinity.

Now, don’t get me wrong, scripture is the third leg of the three-legged stool of Christian authority. Along with Tradition (T) and the Magesterium. I am in no way saying the Bible is not important, nor would the Catholic Church ever teach that. But I do think that the Protestant’s hunger for “scripture after scripture” tells something about them.

I believe that there is more than just the Bible, but I believe first and foremost that God’s Word is the highest of authority because nothing else taught or known as authority can contradict it and be something of God. It is the measuring stick if you will or the plumb line.

 

[Metaron]

I believe that there is more than just the Bible, but I believe first and foremost that God’s Word is the highest of authority because nothing else taught or known as authority can contradict it and be something of God. It is the measuring stick if you will or the plumb line.

That sounds Catholic. :coffeeread:

 

[cascherman]

I think the real question you should be asking is why Catholics lack passion for God’s word.

You are just repeating what the OP has already touched on in his original post: protestants think we lack passion for the Bible.

But, I’m sure you think it was a wonderfully formulated stab using a blanket statement though.

I get the impression that many Catholics are actually offended by the Bible, and accuse anyone who uses it of being ‘scripture only’.

Lol, you are obviously offended and are trying to offend back.

Your impression is far from the truth.

And you wonder why Catholics in debate harp on protestants interpreting the Bible with there own impressions. Why would anyone need an authority outside the Bible when we have our own impressions…

 

[SIA]

You are just repeating what the OP has already touched on in his original post: protestants think we lack passion for the Bible.

But, I’m sure you think it was a wonderfully formulated stab using a blanket statement though.

Lol, you are obviously offended and are trying to offend back.

Your impression is far from the truth.

And you wonder why Catholics in debate harp on protestants interpreting the Bible with there own impressions. Why would anyone need an authority outside the Bible when we have our own impressions…

This is not exactly accurate as to why most Christians claim the Holy Scriptures as the highest authority in the Church.

 

[ShortyLaRock_82]

Lol, you are obviously offended and are trying to offend back. QUOTE]

Not really. I just get that idea every time I talk to a Catholic person. Some seem to value tradition more than scripture. That’s all I’m saying.

 

[PaulDupre]

I think the real question you should be asking is why Catholics lack passion for God’s word.

Every Catholic I know well reads and studies the bible daily. All of the Protestants I know well have never read it and know nothing about it, though they are quick to tell me that they follow the bible and the bible only. What they mean is that they follow their pastor and him only, and they assume he knows and follows the bible.

Paul