Should Catholics attend non-denom bible study?

  • Thread starter Thread starter puzzleannie
  • Start date Start date
Status
Not open for further replies.
Thanks for posting that article. It contains good counsel.

In the years I was away from the Church (almost 30), I attended non-Catholic bible studies. Looking back on my experiences, I did learn a lot about the Bible; but, obviously not from a Catholic perspective. Even when they keep saying that they are non-denominational, they can have strong under currents of anti-Catholicism.
 
With the Fall coming and Bible study classes starting, this subject stirs up a pet peeve of mine. Bible study seems to be scarce at too many Catholic parishes in my area. I live in a very large metropolitan area in Texas. The Bible study course my parish offers is worthless. I’ve written e-mails to my pastor and DRE with nothing more than lip service. I’m willing to start a Bible study group (Scott Hahn or Little Rock) and pay for the videos myself, but I’m the one in most need of Biblical education. I don’t feel qualified to lead a group on my own.

I would never consider attending a non-demoninational Bible study, so I will be driving 20+ miles to a parish that offers a good course. I’m just so very disappointed that there isn’t more interest in Bible study at my parish.

Off my soap box.
 
I have never attended any bible study, catholic or non. But I have attended ecumenical discussion and faith sharing sessions. There were composed mostly of non-catholics but I was not the only Catholic present. I found it to be useful for apologetic purposes (I could clear some things up in a civil way) and I genuinely enjoyed the experiences. Nonetheless, I suspect this sort of thing is not and should not be for everyone.
 
LeahInancsi said:
With the Fall coming and Bible study classes starting, this subject stirs up a pet peeve of mine. Bible study seems to be scarce at too many Catholic parishes in my area. I live in a very large metropolitan area in Texas. The Bible study course my parish offers is worthless. I’ve written e-mails to my pastor and DRE with nothing more than lip service. I’m willing to start a Bible study group (Scott Hahn or Little Rock) and pay for the videos myself, but I’m the one in most need of Biblical education. I don’t feel qualified to lead a group on my own.

I would never consider attending a non-demoninational Bible study, so I will be driving 20+ miles to a parish that offers a good course. I’m just so very disappointed that there isn’t more interest in Bible study at my parish.

Off my soap box.
Click to expand...
You don’t have to be all that knowledgable to lead a Bible study – especially some of the excellent pre-packaged orthodox Catholic Bible studies that are now out, with more coming out all the time. You simply have to be willing to organize them, facilitate them, and do some preparation and studying ahead of each session. This way you at least know slightly more than others in the group, who most likely will be beginners as well. Good materials will take you a long way. For some ideas, visit my website found at the bottom of this post.

There are two other things which, in my experience, you should be ready and willing to deal with if you decide to take the initiative to start something like this:
  1. Lack of participation and commitment by many or most of the participants. It can be very discouraging when you believe strongly enough in something to go through all the trouble of setting it up, preparing for it, and showing up – and people flake out on you for various reasons. Usually, you will have to be content with a very small core of conscientious attendees.
  2. You may face opposition from a surprising source: the parish itself – specifically the pastors, professional DRE’s, catechists and other members of the parish staff (sounds like you’ve already had a taste of this). This is usually so for a couple of reasons. Often, they are very wary of allowing someone they don’t know well teach in the parish unless they are sure about their competence and orthodoxy (if you’re lucky enough to be in an orthodox parish). This is understandable since the care of souls in their charge is their responsibility,. They may be afraid that it may mean extra work for them. Also understandable. Finally, they may have attempted to try it themselves in the past and were so disappointed by the response, they’ve foresworn the whole thing forever.
Less understandable is the suspicion – even *contempt *-- that higher-degreed “professional Christian educators” show toward ordinary lay people who want to take the initiative in projects like this, but lack the “credentials.” In my opinion, this is one of the greatest obstacles to adult Catholic education in the Faith-- these professionals don’t have the time to take these types of projects on, but they won’t trust others to do it either because they are not “professionals.” I generally despise the use of the term, but until the laity are *empowered *in this area, the majority of adult Catholics will remain ignorant of their Faith and remain sitting ducks for agressive sects, or slipping further into complacency. That’s the end of *my *rant.:o

In spite of all that, I encourage you to give it a try. I’m sure any number of us here who have managed to succeed at this on some level would be willing to give you some advice.
 
They should attend such Bible studies and speak the truth of the
Catholic Faith until the people there can’t take it and physically remove them!
 
Beachcomber said:
Thanks for posting that article. It contains good counsel.

In the years I was away from the Church (almost 30), I attended non-Catholic bible studies. Looking back on my experiences, I did learn a lot about the Bible; but, obviously not from a Catholic perspective. Even when they keep saying that they are non-denominational, they can have strong under currents of anti-Catholicism.
Click to expand...
Unfortunately, not only was attending Protestant Bible studies underming to my Catholic faith, but at the time (25 + years ago), even attending Catholic Charismatic Bible studies were undermining to my Catholic faith, because the Catholic Charismatics took for granted many Protestant positions on biblical interpretation (including the non-canonicity of the deuterocanon). Hopefully, this has changed in the 25 years since I have been in the Catholic Charismatic renewal.
  • Lance, Catholic revert.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top