Sharing What We Learned From Scripture

[Fair_Lady]

Let’s share what we’ve learned from our Bible readings. Just one request - let’s keep it to scripture only - no influence from other writings. In other words, let’s interpret scripture with scripture. It is nice to see a fair number of people who responded to the poll that I posted just a few days ago read their Bibles daily or nearly daily.

 

[Chris_Etzel]

I recently re-read 1 Corinthians. Paul mentions circumcised Christians not trying to hide the mark of their circumcision. I had always assumed he was referencing the Jews that were trying to convince Gentiles they must still be circumcised, as he was in part saying that it’s not relevant for Christians.

1 Cor 7:18 Was someone called after he had been circumcised? He should not try to undo his circumcision. Was an uncircumcised person called? He should not be circumcised.

That was until I read 1 Macc 1:15 (not listed in my NIV Ryrie ) and it occurred to me he might actually be referencing something historically relevant.

1 Macc 1:15 They covered over the mark of their circumcision and abandoned the holy covenant; they allied themselves with the Gentiles and sold themselves to wrongdoing.

I wondered, “Did the Gentiles check for this before letting someone into their club ?”

Then I winced imagining there might not have been anesthesia 2000 years ago.

 

[promethius]

Let’s share what we’ve learned from our Bible readings. Just one request - let’s keep it to scripture only - no influence from other writings. In other words, let’s interpret scripture with scripture. It is nice to see a fair number of people who responded to the poll that I posted just a few days ago read their Bibles daily or nearly daily.

Erm… isn’t that a very protestant way to approach the sacred scriptures? Why would we take a look at the deposit of faith, founded on the beautiful principle of sacred tradition, sacred scripture, and authoritative magisterium… and then say that God’s design for teaching the faith is not the right path and we should limit ourselves to ONLY interpreting scripture?

This very concept has yielded nothing but doctrinal confusion and destruction of Christian unity.

 

[babylonsfalling]

Let’s share what we’ve learned from our Bible readings. Just one request - let’s keep it to scripture only - no influence from other writings. In other words, let’s interpret scripture with scripture. It is nice to see a fair number of people who responded to the poll that I posted just a few days ago read their Bibles daily or nearly daily.

I just love the Scripture only crowd……along with the blind ignorance involved in advocating Scripture only in the first place since Scripture calls for tradition…

2 Thessalonians 2:15 Therefore, brethren, stand fast, and hold the traditions which ye have been taught, whether by word, or our epistle.

 

[regression]

Let’s share what we’ve learned from our Bible readings. Just one request - let’s keep it to scripture only - no influence from other writings. In other words, let’s interpret scripture with scripture. It is nice to see a fair number of people who responded to the poll that I posted just a few days ago read their Bibles daily or nearly daily.

I don’t understand your request for interpreting scripture with scripture. If I post a bible verse or verses and say what I learned from it, isn’t that me interpreting scripture? Not scripture interpreting scripture? Maybe it is just terminology I am not familiar with…

 

[promethius]

Erm… isn’t that a very protestant way to approach the sacred scriptures? Why would we take a look at the deposit of faith, founded on the beautiful principle of sacred tradition, sacred scripture, and authoritative magisterium… and then say that God’s design for teaching the faith is not the right path and we should limit ourselves to ONLY interpreting scripture?

This very concept has yielded nothing but doctrinal confusion and destruction of Christian unity.

I’ve changed my mind, I’ll bite on this subject:

I like how Revelations 21:27 (nothing impure shall enter heaven) absolutely affirms that there is purgatory and hope of salvation for us who are not PERFECTLY pure and clean upon our death, and proves that Christ’s grace acts through purgatory to actually sanctify and justify us (rather than just making us snow-covered dung heaps)

 

[jochoa]

I lived many years blindly, seeking peace, happiness, and energy in my self and relationships. Then I gain better understanding of the following:

Mark 12:30 ESV
“And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.”

1 Corinthians 13:4 ESV
“Love is patient and kind”

Once I found personal logic in the Greatest Commandment, I became humbled by the Amazing Grace of God, optimistic in all aspects of life, educated to recognize how I cause stress and strife in my self and relationships, empowered to gain control of obtaining peace, happiness, and energy, and filled with an unshakable faith in God and the Catholic Church!

My Complex and Logical Interpretation:
The Greatest Commandment is the Only way to instantly and eternally obtain the fullest peace, happiness, and energy.
First Part: “you shall love God” - Foundation of Actions and Thoughts
Patience obtains the fullest peace, and kindness obtains the fullest happiness.
God is the motivation for being patient and kind. Motivation for God yields the fullest energy because God is inexhaustible and fully considerate of the self, others, authority, and material resources.
Second Part: “with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength” - Biological Concepts, which perhaps reveal a understanding of the Holy Trinity
Heart refers to the Body/Self. In terms of the Trinity, the Body could be Jesus [exact Image].
Mind refers to the Origin/Creator of Thought. In the Trinity, the Mind could be the Father [Creator]
Strength refers to All Interactions and Communications with Others. In the Trinity, the Strength could be the Holy Spirit [The Bible, Prayer]
Soul refers to the Unique Essence of “You”. The mind, body, and interactions are each of 3 very different substances, but they are all exactly “You”. In the Trinity, the Soul could be God [Essence]

 

[Pax]

Let’s share what we’ve learned from our Bible readings. Just one request - let’s keep it to scripture only - no influence from other writings. In other words, let’s interpret scripture with scripture. It is nice to see a fair number of people who responded to the poll that I posted just a few days ago read their Bibles daily or nearly daily.

Fair Lady in Christ,

If you peruse my postings and responses to non-Catholics, you will notice that they are almost always by way of scripture. I only discuss the catechism or church documents when they are brought under discussion by my non-Catholic counterparts or when a non-Catholic has a misconception about official Catholic teaching. Likewise, you will find many other apologists on this forum that do the very same thing. We do this out of respect for our non-Catholic brothers and sisters in Christ, and realize that they wish to see biblical evidence to substantiate a position or belief.

Please note, however, that no one is free of the influence of their teachers and mentors that discipled them. Likewise, our thinking and view points are influenced by our culture, education, and many other factors including our religious traditions. This applies to all of us no matter how objective we believe ourselves to be.

I am willing to discuss any topic that you wish to cover using scripture, but would also suggest that we allow room for the appropriate application of extra biblical data that can shed light on the meaning and usage of the language in the scriptural text. Scripture was not written in a vacuum and it is important to know how to read it. A perfect example of this applies to the apocalyptic literature contained in the bible. Reading and understanding the apocalyptic writings requires more than simply reading it. One must have some concept and understanding of the genre.

Now, if you would like to proceed, then I’m game. Please keep in mind that establishing and sticking to a thread topic is important and helpful. That way, we will thoroughly explore what is under discussion. Generally, when non-Catholic Christians come to this forum they have questions about, or disagreements with, a Catholic teaching and would like the biblical underpinnings for the Catholic position. Perhaps that is also a good place for you to start. Simply pick a particular subject that concerns you and we can go from there.

God bless.

 

[Farsight001]

Let’s share what we’ve learned from our Bible readings. Just one request - let’s keep it to scripture only - no influence from other writings. In other words, let’s interpret scripture with scripture. It is nice to see a fair number of people who responded to the poll that I posted just a few days ago read their Bibles daily or nearly daily.

Suggesting we “interpret scripture with scripture” is nothing more than a misleading rhetorical tag-line. Inanimate objects cannot interpret other inanimate objects. Interpretation is, by definition, a personal understanding from the perspective of some sentient being. Scripture can no better “interpret” scripture than a Picaso could “interpret” a Rembrant. You might as well suggest your day-to-day calender take you jogging. It’s nonsensical.

 

[Church_Militant]

Let’s share what we’ve learned from our Bible readings. Just one request - let’s keep it to scripture only - no influence from other writings. In other words, let’s interpret scripture with scripture. It is nice to see a fair number of people who responded to the poll that I posted just a few days ago read their Bibles daily or nearly daily.

Erm… isn’t that a very protestant way to approach the sacred scriptures? Why would we take a look at the deposit of faith, founded on the beautiful principle of sacred tradition, sacred scripture, and authoritative magisterium… and then say that God’s design for teaching the faith is not the right path and we should limit ourselves to ONLY interpreting scripture?

This very concept has yielded nothing but doctrinal confusion and destruction of Christian unity.

I don’t understand your request for interpreting scripture with scripture. If I post a bible verse or verses and say what I learned from it, isn’t that me interpreting scripture? Not scripture interpreting scripture? Maybe it is just terminology I am not familiar with…

Suggesting we “interpret scripture with scripture” is nothing more than a misleading rhetorical tag-line. Inanimate objects cannot interpret other inanimate objects. Interpretation is, by definition, a personal understanding from the perspective of some sentient being. Scripture can no better “interpret” scripture than a Picaso could “interpret” a Rembrant. You might as well suggest your day-to-day calender take you jogging. It’s nonsensical.

Yeah, sorry FL, that’s not gonna work. You’re asking Catholics to interpret scripture by your standards, and we know that so much of scripture is correctly interpreted in its historical context .

A good example of this is the Catechism of the Catholic Church and my blog article The Eucharist IS Scriptural.

Sorry, but I hope this helps.

 

[wisdomseeker]

Let’s share what we’ve learned from our Bible readings. Just one request - let’s keep it to scripture only - no influence from other writings. In other words, let’s interpret scripture with scripture. It is nice to see a fair number of people who responded to the poll that I posted just a few days ago read their Bibles daily or nearly daily.

Ok. Let’s do it. First, we must start with the Church and go from there. Scriptures says that Jesus found One Church where all is to learn from this One Church.

Jesus says, “if you don’t eat my Flesh and drink my Blood, you have no life in you.”

Are you obeying God?

I don’t accept picking verses here and there without the Church being included.

Let’s begin. …

 

[Annie39]

So…Fair lady. Where did you go? I’m interested in continuing to read what you have to say. I may even comment.

Annie

 

[fred_conty]

Let’s share what we’ve learned from our Bible readings. Just one request - let’s keep it to scripture only - no influence from other writings. In other words, let’s interpret scripture with scripture. It is nice to see a fair number of people who responded to the poll that I posted just a few days ago read their Bibles daily or nearly daily.

Reading between the lines. For example, I am moved when I read about the circumstances of the birth of Jesus. What very poor conditions and and little conforts were present in the stable. They had nothing. What woman would put up with that in today’s world? And Jesus, the creator of galixies, laid in a old wooden feed box. And then there is the smell and probably the chill. What did Mary sleep on that night? Or did
she sleep at all?

And when Jesus was grown doing his work, where did he sleep? It dosen’t say. Where
did He eat? Once or twice with sinners, but who else if any? Along the road he was hot and rested, and even then He welcomed into his lap the little children. It dosen’t say if he
wore sandals or not on those hot dusty paths. Wells were not a plenty. What did he eat? It dosen’t say. He could have had ease and wealth beyond measure but chose such a poor life.

 

[Fair_Lady]

Erm… isn’t that a very protestant way to approach the sacred scriptures?

I’m not here to debate this, but just want to say that it’s not only a Protestant approach, but also a very biblical one. The Bereans in Acts 17 are good models for us to follow.

 

[Prodigal_Son1]

I’m not here to debate this, but just want to say that it’s not only a Protestant approach, but also a very biblical one. The Bereans in Acts 17 are good models for us to follow.

Did all the Bereans believe what Paul SPOKE to them causing them to check scriptures against what he said? No. It was the authoritative spoken word that brought people to understand and believe in the prophecies written, and even then not all of them believed.

For a Biblical approach to understanding scriptures, read Nehemiah 8.

 

[Fair_Lady]

So…Fair lady. Where did you go? I’m interested in continuing to read what you have to say. I may even comment.

Annie

Thanks for the interest…I’ve been on holidays for the last couple of weeks and kind of got side tracked, as well as dealing with a temperamental computer, which doesn’t help. Anyhow, I do tend to not have a lot of time to devote to this and I just want everyone to know that while I can’t comment on every post, I do read them. I’m really not interested in debating anything here - it’s more about sharing. Hope that works for you guys.

 

[Fair_Lady]

Did all the Bereans believe what Paul SPOKE to them causing them to check scriptures against what he said? No. It was the authoritative spoken word that brought people to understand and believe in the prophecies written, and even then not all of them believed.

For a Biblical approach to understanding scriptures, read Nehemiah 8.

I’ll read Nehemiah 8 tonight and see what I can glean from that. As for the Bereans, I should have posted the scripture I was referring to:

Acts 17:10-12
King James Version (KJV)

"And the brethren immediately sent away Paul and Silas by night unto Berea: who coming thither went into the synagogue of the Jews.

These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so.

Therefore many of them believed; also of honourable women which were Greeks, and of men, not a few."

 

[Prodigal_Son1]

I’ll read Nehemiah 8 tonight and see what I can glean from that. As for the Bereans, I should have posted the scripture I was referring to:

Acts 17:10-12
King James Version (KJV)

"And the brethren immediately sent away Paul and Silas by night unto Berea: who coming thither went into the synagogue of the Jews.

These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so.

Therefore many of them believed; also of honourable women which were Greeks, and of men, not a few."

Act 17:12 And many indeed of them believed: and of honourable women that were Gentiles and of men, not a few.

While ‘many’ believed, many is not ALL.

Act 17:11 Now these were more noble than those in Thessalonica, who received the word with all eagerness, daily searching the scriptures, whether these things were so.

These people knew scriptures, but it was through the spoken word, by Paul, that they understood the scriptures to support the truth Paul had delivered to them orally. This tells me it was the authoritative spoken word.

Here’s another example of people who knew scriptures, but had to have them opened to them.

Luk 24:32 And they said one to the other: Was not our heart burning within us, whilst he spoke in the way and opened to us the scriptures?

Remember Philip and the Eunuch? The Eunuch asked how he could understand the scriptures unless some man explain them to him.

Scriptures are full of references showing the misunderstanding of scriptures, when it was scriptures alone.

 

[Prodigal_Son1]

A friend of mine expresses the event with the Bereans much better than I did.

Acts 17:10 - 12
10 Then the brethren immediately sent Paul and Silas away by night to Berea. When they arrived, they went into the synagogue of the Jews. 11 These were more fair-minded than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness, and searched the Scriptures daily to find out whether these things were so. 12 Therefore many of them believed, and also not a few of the Greeks, prominent women as well as men. (KJV)

After searching the Scripture, MANY of them believed. That implies that MANY of them did not. They searched the same Scriptures, and yet disagreed. And, we can assume that the Greeks probably did not search the Scriptures at all, yet a “number of them” believed.

So if Berean “A” searched the Scriptures and thus believed Paul, yet Berean “B” searched the very same Scriptures and disagreee, and, further, a “number of Greeks” my very well have not searched the Scriptures at all, then where are we left? Is Berean “A” right and Berean “B” wrong? Is neither one right or wrong and only the Scripture is right? Are the Greeks (who might very well be Gentiles and unfamiliar with the Scriptures), right? Are some right? No. Paul is right!

Paul was sent (the definition of Apostle) to teach. He was sent with authority. He says so himself. He did not go to Berea to hold a Bible Study. He did not “ask” them to “search the Scriptures”. He did not say “I am telling you the truth because the Bible says so”. He taught with authority. He was right, and teaching Truth, whether or not the Bereans found it in Scripture. Some found it, some did not. Is Paul any less right because many did not believe? No. Paul is right whether or not Berean “A” finds it in Scripture or Berean"B" does not. Nowhere does this text state, or even imply, that the decision is up to the Bereans. Nowhere does it state or imply that Paul’s teachings are only to be considered valid if it can be proven in Scripture.

What Paul taught was Truth because he had the authority to teach it. “Many”, after searching the Scriptures, believed him. “Many”, after searching the very same Scriptures, did not. Who was right? The answer is: None of them. Paul was right.

 

[Fair_Lady]

I’ve been in the book of James for the last few days. The first thing that really struck a chord with me is found in the second and third verses of chapter 1: “Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. And let endurance have its perfect result, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.”

It’s not easy, is it, to “consider it all joy” while undergoing trials? But have you ever experienced that sense of hope that is found only in Christ when nothing seems to be going the way we’d like it to go? And with it comes a sense of joy and, yes, even a measure of peace, because we know by faith that we can trust in Him completely. Often it isn’t until I’ve gone through that storm, that I can see much more clearly how God worked His mighty ways in that trial. And then my faith grows more because I once again see firsthand the goodness of God and His amazing ways.