Protestant vs Catholic Interpretations of the Bible

[GloriaDei]

I came from a Protestant background (Baptist, Presbyterian, Lutheran) and need ground rules for how to understand Scripture as a Catholic. What differentiates Protestant from Catholic interpretation? I’m particularly interested in understanding Catholic interpretations of the Pauline epistles (Romans 9, Ephesians 2, Colossians 1) dealing with election, Revelation (particularly historic Catholic interpretations: I have a hard time believing it is only symbolic, but may be deeper and have more than one meanig), and 1 John dealing with ‘the world’ and the Christians journey through life as sojourners here. Sorry for a loaded question, these were just fundamental Scriptures to me as a Protestant and I want to weed out the Protestant bias here. I know Haydock had a unique way of understanding Revelation: is there a summary of his interpretation anywhere?

Also, PDF books on this topic would be greatly appreciated: I’ve had a hard time finding anything on these topics for free that’s more than an article, and I would rather have a more comprehensive/explanatory understanding of these interpretations of Scripture.

 

[Dlee]

If you want to understand Revelation, check into Scott Hahn’s Bible Study on Revelation. It is absolutely eye-opening. The Catechism is also excellent.

 

[GloriaDei]

Is there anything that is free regarding his study of Revelation? I’m in large debt, but slowly paying it off: I can’t really even afford a book at any price because of how tight my budget is.

 

[Mtatum1958]

I don’t know about free. Check out the parish library, the pastor or another priest, or even acquaintances at church. We are part of a small parish and often share books with one another and leave books in the parish hall for others to read.

 

[De_Maria]

I came from a Protestant background (Baptist, Presbyterian, Lutheran) and need ground rules for how to understand Scripture as a Catholic.

The Catechism gives the ground rules.

The Second Vatican Council indicates three criteria for interpreting Scripture in accordance with the Spirit who inspired it.78

112 1. Be especially attentive “to the content and unity of the whole Scripture”. Different as the books which compose it may be, Scripture is a unity by reason of the unity of God’s plan, of which Christ Jesus is the center and heart, open since his Passover.79

The phrase “heart of Christ” can refer to Sacred Scripture, which makes known his heart, closed before the Passion, as the Scripture was obscure. But the Scripture has been opened since the Passion; since those who from then on have understood it, consider and discern in what way the prophecies must be interpreted.80

113 2. Read the Scripture within “the living Tradition of the whole Church”. According to a saying of the Fathers, Sacred Scripture is written principally in the Church’s heart rather than in documents and records, for the Church carries in her Tradition the living memorial of God’s Word, and it is the Holy Spirit who gives her the spiritual interpretation of the Scripture (". . . according to the spiritual meaning which the Spirit grants to the Church"81).

114 3. Be attentive to the analogy of faith.82 By “analogy of faith” we mean the coherence of the truths of faith among themselves and within the whole plan of Revelation.

What differentiates Protestant from Catholic interpretation?

Basically, we understand Scripture within the framework of Sacred Tradition.

I’m particularly interested in understanding Catholic interpretations of the Pauline epistles (Romans 9, Ephesians 2, Colossians 1) dealing with election, Revelation (particularly historic Catholic interpretations: I have a hard time believing it is only symbolic, but may be deeper and have more than one meanig),

Have you looked into any of Scott Hahn’s works? His interpretation of Revelations with respect to the Liturgy is really deep.

and 1 John dealing with ‘the world’ and the Christians journey through life as sojourners here. Sorry for a loaded question, these were just fundamental Scriptures to me as a Protestant and I want to weed out the Protestant bias here. I know Haydock had a unique way of understanding Revelation: is there a summary of his interpretation anywhere?..

Sorry I can’t be of more help.

 

[Peebo]

Go to youtube and type in “catholic interpretation of revelation”…there are also many other Catholic interpretations of scripture as well…you could also go to “new advent” its a Catholic encyclopedia…heaps of information…doesn’t cost anything.

 

[Todd_Easton]

Haydock’s Bible commentary is currently available online, such as here, and might be a good place to start for Revelation and the Pauline epistles.

 

[HeDa]

My public library has a surprisingly good selection of Catholic authors filed under Religion.

 

[Justin_Mary]

As stated, lots of good stuff free on YouTube. But nothing beats the Catechism which you can read free on UCCB website.

But for me, I’d say go to your local Catholic book store & get a good Catholic study bible. Many are inexpensive but still good.

I can’t afford the Ignatius study bible but I have been able to buy parts of it. I got the book of Roman’s for $9