Reading the Bible for Catholics

[PeaceInChrist]

May I add that when reading scripture and it seems different to current teaching, it may have been “thought of” earlier than with reformers of 1500’s. Some things were challenged in 8-9th century by Catholics, some in 12,13 th century, some in 4th century etc.It is a good generalization that the big reformation happened 1500s but I doubt you will take on everything they challenged. But bits and pieces of “questions” is what may come your way, that have been around way before 1500’s. For sure if you ask, you will get an answer. Pretty much everything has already been discussed down thru the ages with recorded answers,from both sides of any issue. A good Catholic abides by the churches final decree on the matter. BUT,as I was once told, the bigger issue is not to study the bible, but let the bible study you.“Show me Lord if there be any wicked way in me, but gently ,lest I am blown away” .This is quite a universal challenge for all believers.

The heresies refuted prior to the Reformation were refuted with good cause. You can even read the councils and Church fathers that wrote against the heresies. Tell me, how do you determine which of the early heresies was true and which was not? For instance, was Christ created or begotten? Is He man and God, or just God? Is God a Trinity or does He appear in different forms? Now, if you side with the Catholic Church on these issues, then why not on others? They were all determined in councils and with the support of the Roman bishop.

How do you as an individual determine selectively which doctrine is inspired and which is not, when the oldest and surest form of determining doctrine (the Biblical council) has come to so many Truths, Truths that even Protestants agree with?

The people who said Christ was not man but only God, that He was created and not begotten, that God is not a Trinity, along with all others who opposed the Church, felt they were guided by the Spirit and that they could interpret truth better than the collective Church and Roman Vicar. What makes you different than them?

 

[irenaeuslyons]

Hello y’all,
I come from a Protestant background where all I did was read and study and pretty much devour every single word of the Bible because the Protestant idea is that you can interpret the Bible for yourself. I even learned OT Hebrew and NT Greek to be able to devour it back to the word origins!
Now as a Catholic, I haven’t spent as much time reading the Bible except during Mass or the occasional quote in the writings of Saints. It feels almost intimidating to read the Bible now because it wouldn’t be for personal interpretation of Scripture but it would be for pure devotion.
Can y’all give me some tips or ways to read the Bible through the Catholic lens or provide some insight if y’all are feeling this way too.
Blessings!
Landon

Hello Landon,

My best advice would be to read not only the scriptures, but to also read the early church fathers. The Church was not born in a historical vacuum, so their historical witness and insights as the successors and sometimes direct disciples of the apostles will be enriching. When you read how the early Christians understood the scripture, you will eventually be able to read it in the same light, and see things you never saw before as a protestant. The most comforting of which is the affirmation that the early Church was the Catholic Church, and the very same that was established on the person of Peter.

You can find many of the early church fathers on newadvent.org

 

[CrossofChrist]

Hello y’all,

I come from a Protestant background where all I did was read and study and pretty much devour every single word of the Bible because the Protestant idea is that you can interpret the Bible for yourself. I even learned OT Hebrew and NT Greek to be able to devour it back to the word origins!

Now as a Catholic, I haven’t spent as much time reading the Bible except during Mass or the occasional quote in the writings of Saints. It feels almost intimidating to read the Bible now because it wouldn’t be for personal interpretation of Scripture but it would be for pure devotion.

Can y’all give me some tips or ways to read the Bible through the Catholic lens or provide some insight if y’all are feeling this way too.

Blessings!

Landon

Have you tried the Liturgy of the Hours?

 

[zz912]

Now why can’t they see that? It’s as plain as day? Is it denial or just there not educated enough in the bible?

It takes a little while, don’t worry yourself over it too much.

I would suggest reading some books of Scott Hahn. He has a great style, and helps to open up many things in the Bible that Protestants can miss or have never seen.

As for Confirmation, take a look at the Book of Acts, chapter 8. We see Philip, who is a deacon, who preaches the Gospel in Samaria. He baptizes the crowds, but they don’t receive the Holy Spirit. So Peter and John (who are bishops) go to them, and laid hands on them (Sacrament of Confirmation), and they received the Holy Spirit. Notice also how this lines up with Church teaching perfectly, even with the teaching that only bishops and priests can confer the sacrament of Confirmation, while deacons can confer the sacrament of Baptism (of course anyone can baptize if necessary).

 

[Patrocinor]

Welcome Home my friend! First off, I have tremendous respect and anxiety for Protestants. I respect and love their love for scripture. My anxiety is when Protestants believe heart and soul, for Sola Scriptura and private interpretation. First, private interpretation is shall we say, frowned upon in scripture. 2Pet 1:20. As a result of Sola Scriptura and private interpretation, we now have somewhere in the area of 33,000 church’s all proclaiming the “truth” as they privately interpret it. Is that even possible?
When it comes to Sola Scriptura the bible does not tell us what is inspired scripture and what is not. The Catholic Church did that. Sacred Tradition and the Teaching Magisterium of the Catholic Church gave us the canon of Scripture and that was given to the Church, not vice versa. So if the bible was the sole rule of faith, it failed to canonize itself and that leaves almost 400 years of Christians without a bible. What happened to them? They did not have a sole rule of faith. The depended on the teaching authority of the Church. So historically, and by reason, the bible cannot be the sole rule of faith. And the scriptures themselves do not declare themselves as the sole rule of faith to be interpreted privately. So it is scripturally unsound as well. The scriptures are a gift to the Church and therefore the scriptures should/must be interpreted by the Church in order to teach correctly. Of course that does not eliminate private reading. But some things are better left to teachers than to people like me privately interpreting. Keep studying. It takes a lifetime and more to learn the ways of God. The scriptures also feed us and we definitely do not want to starve to death.

 

[Patrocinor]

One way to read and meditate on scripture is by way of the Carmelites called Lectio Divina.
You can find this here: ocarm.org/en/content/lectio/what-lectio-divina
You may find this very beneficial for you.
God Bless You on your journey. :newidea:

 

[PJM]

=landon13;10876832]Hello y’all,

I come from a Protestant background where all I did was read and study and pretty much devour every single word of the Bible because the Protestant idea is that you can interpret the Bible for yourself. I even learned OT Hebrew and NT Greek to be able to devour it back to the word origins!

Now as a Catholic, I haven’t spent as much time reading the Bible except during Mass or the occasional quote in the writings of Saints. It feels almost intimidating to read the Bible now because it wouldn’t be for personal interpretation of Scripture but it would be for pure devotion.

Can y’all give me some tips or ways to read the Bible through the Catholic lens or provide some insight if y’all are feeling this way too.

Blessings!

Landon

Outstanding and PROFOUND post dear friend,

But the Bible is a GIFT to be USED to nourish us. PLEASE do read it, keeping in mind that your NOW understanding, in order to be GOD"S TRUTH, must conform with what the Magiaterium teaches. [Mark 16: 14-15; Matt. 28:16-20]

The Bible proves what we believe and WHY and How we are able to believe and practice as we do. It ought to be the primary tool for explainging and defending our Catholic Faith.

So dig in and ENJOY the FEAST

Welcome home dear friend!

 

[bookme29]

Hello y’all,

I come from a Protestant background where all I did was read and study and pretty much devour every single word of the Bible because the Protestant idea is that you can interpret the Bible for yourself. I even learned OT Hebrew and NT Greek to be able to devour it back to the word origins!

Now as a Catholic, I haven’t spent as much time reading the Bible except during Mass or the occasional quote in the writings of Saints. It feels almost intimidating to read the Bible now because it wouldn’t be for personal interpretation of Scripture but it would be for pure devotion.

Can y’all give me some tips or ways to read the Bible through the Catholic lens or provide some insight if y’all are feeling this way too.

hello-- i am interested in what particular denomination you were trained in or were a part in?-- as my training took the opposite approach-- where as Jeusu / thru the Holy Ghost-- told me to study at 4 different bible colleges–

and it threw my catholic family into a fit… and i refused to do God’s bidding-- for 3 years-- so for me it was like Jonah – and the city of nivita-

i believe the main thing i seen on this forum-- is – well – it’s elementary-- really Watson

 

[polishprincess]

Well said!

I read the bible and it helps me understand my faith. I was raised Protestant and then converted and now as I read through the bible I see almost word for word descriptions of what the church teaches. For example look up James 2:15 I think for the Sacrament of Anointing of the Sick. The bible is good for personal reflection and study but no way on our own can we interpret it ourselves.

That’s wonderful that you converted ! how long ago was your conversion? GBU!

 

[Sacredheart1208]

A little over a year and a half ago.

 

[adawgj]

Attend a Catholic Bible study