The Bible "in context"

[Blue_Serenity]

“I have heard” is not a source. If you would like to debate or discuss this statement please provide a source, otherwise, there is nothing to discuss.

Fine then. “I have heard” **Catholics here at CAF **state the writers of the Bible didn’t know they were writing the Bible as we know it today.

 

[mark_a]

Catholics accuse us Protestants of “picking and choosing” from the Bible and not reading it “in context” with the other scriptures.

Catholics misunderstand/ incorrectly teach scripture. Happens all the time. Luckily, we have an authority structure (however cumbersome) that can settle a scripture interpretation question for us if we seek the truth. Sometimes they even say “I don’t know, interpret it however you want as long as it doesn’t contradict any Church teachings concerning faith and morals”.

But yet, I’ve heard Catholics say that the writers of the Bible didn’t know that they were writing “the Bible” as we know it today.

Ask them to show you where the bible says so. They can’t do it!!! Then you show them where the Bible says they did know they were writing the Bible.

We know that scripture can’t contradict itself but the claim that the writers of the Bible didn’t know they were writing the Bible that we use today just contradicts itself.

Scripture, understood in context, cannot contradict itself.

How then, are we supposed to read the Bible? How does the Magisterium read the Bible?
Please don’t say “Catholics read the Bible in light of Tradition”. I’ve heard that before.

“Tradition” in ths sense means that we look back at how scripture was interpreted by generations past.

I want to know how someone is to understand the whole Bible if you claim the writers of the scriptures didn’t know they were writing the Bible as we know it to be today?

It could be that the writers of the new testament knew they were part of a living Church that would settle the matter when the Holy Spirit moved Her to.

 

[Gottle_of_Geer]

Fine then. “I have heard” **Catholics here at CAF **state the writers of the Bible didn’t know they were writing the Bible as we know it today.

Why is that so shocking, or bothersome (or whatever it may be) ?​

 

[Blue_Serenity]

Why is that so shocking, or bothersome (or whatever it may be) ?​

It’s not. I was answering puzzleannie’s question. I know Catholics believe differently than me or otherwise I’d be Catholic.

 

[Blue_Serenity]

Catholics misunderstand/ incorrectly teach scripture. Happens all the time. Luckily, we have an authority structure (however cumbersome) that can settle a scripture interpretation question for us if we seek the truth. Sometimes they even say “I don’t know, interpret it however you want as long as it doesn’t contradict any Church teachings concerning faith and morals”.

Ask them to show you where the bible says so. They can’t do it!!! Then you show them where the Bible says they did know they were writing the Bible.

Scripture, understood in context, cannot contradict itself.

“Tradition” in ths sense means that we look back at how scripture was interpreted by generations past.

It could be that the writers of the new testament knew they were part of a living Church that would settle the matter when the Holy Spirit moved Her to.

Wow Mark!!!
Aside from maybe a handful of folks I’ve met here in the forums, I don’t think I’ve ever heard a Catholic speak that way. I had to check your profile to make sure you weren’t a fellow Protestant.
Thanks for clarifying that for me!

 

[Researcher]

I think it is quite safe to say that people from all denominations incorrectly teach scripture. That in and of itself should not surprise anyone. But what Catholics believe is that the Pope and the magisterium have the authority, given to them by Jesus Christ through Peter, to definitively state what is the ture meaning of scritpture.

Now I read bot the Old and New Testaments. I can find meaning in these writings that can provide me with direction today. Now I may believe that the direction I am going with my interpritation is correct, and there is not a problem within the Catholic church with that. However, if I am going to teach my interpritation it is my responsibility to make sure it is consistant with what the church teaches.

Even if I believe it to be true and profess my understanding I am OK with the church unless I am told otherwise, provided I have made a reasonable effort to verify that I am in agreement; i.e. reviewed the CCC. If, however, I am informed by the church that I am in error in what I teach then I must stop this teaching.

I have found many things from my reading of the Bible that I have found helpful. That is not a sin. This is what the Catholic church encourages us to do. But when we make proclaims in a public manor we must be in agreement with the church.