What is the Bible? How Should it be Read?

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Katholikos

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The Bible is not an instruction book in the Christian Religion, but Protestants have read it that way for 487years, since Luther introduced the concept of Sola Scriptura.

The OT is the literary expression of the religious life of ancient Israel. More than a thousand years of time separate the earliest and the latest compositions in the Old Testament (Preface to the RSV). The OT wasn’t complete until shortly before Jesus was born. The Jews did not read the OT and then decide what doctrines to believe. Judaism is based on oral tradition, supplemented and confirmed by the OT writings.

The New Testament is the literary expression of the religious life of the newborn Catholic Church – the New Israel (Rm 11:26, Jas 1:1, Gal 6:16) – for about the first 50 - 100 years of her life. The composition of the NT began in 52 A.D. and took 50 - 100 years to complete. The Church produced many documents which circulated among the local Churches. She decided upon 27 of them, canonized them, canonized the 49 writings of the Old Covenant she had inherited from Jesus and the Apostles, and formed the Bible when she was about 400 years old. Christianity, i.e., Catholicism, is based on oral tradition, supplemented and confirmed by the NT writings. The NT itself is oral tradition reduced to writing. Some of the Sacred Apostolic Tradition was written down and became Christian Scripture and some of it was preserved and handed down in other ways. Sacred Apostolic Tradition, too, is God’s Word.

The Catholic Church wrote the NT. It was written by Catholics, to Catholics, in the context of the living, believing, teaching Church founded by Christ for the salvation of the world. The Church is its rightful interpreter. Any attempt to read it apart from the teachings of the Church that wrote it will invariably result it incorrect interpretation.

Your challenge – should you choose to accept it 🙂 – is to look at your New Testament and answer this question:

To whom were each of the writings of the NT addressed? When were they written?

The Church did not come out of the Bible; rather, the Bible came out of the Church.

Comments?
 
When I walk to work in the morning there are three things that I see in downtown St. Paul – banks, coffee shops, and a bail bonds shops. One day when I was walking to work there was a girl standing in front of a bail bonds shop. She came up to me and propositioned me. I looked at her for a while and it did not take long that she was doing it so that she could get someone that she loved out of jail. The bail-bonds place must not have given her the bail money she needed.

Anyways, I reached into my briefcase and handed her my Protestant Bible. She instantly started crying and hugged me, then walked away clutching the Bible. I follow into the city almost every day two Jehovah’s Witnesses. They were behind me that day and saw the exchange. One smiled the other was in tears. I don’t care how she should have read it, it didn’t matter to her when it was written, and sometimes miracles happen outside of the Church.
 
Shibboleth,

Thank you. Yet, I’m not convinced that even that miracle happened outside the Church. 🙂
 
**WHAT IS THE BIBLE? **The written Word of God.

HOW SHOULD IT BE READ? Daily … Prayerfully
 
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Shibboleth:
When I walk to work in the morning there are three things that I see in downtown St. Paul – banks, coffee shops, and a bail bonds shops. One day when I was walking to work there was a girl standing in front of a bail bonds shop. She came up to me and propositioned me. I looked at her for a while and it did not take long that she was doing it so that she could get someone that she loved out of jail. The bail-bonds place must not have given her the bail money she needed.

Anyways, I reached into my briefcase and handed her my Protestant Bible. She instantly started crying and hugged me, then walked away clutching the Bible. I follow into the city almost every day two Jehovah’s Witnesses. They were behind me that day and saw the exchange. One smiled the other was in tears. I don’t care how she should have read it, it didn’t matter to her when it was written, and sometimes miracles happen outside of the Church.
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Who says a miracle happened outside of the church?

You did a wonderful thing and the girl was obviously very moved and maybe a protestant bible is better than no bible at all, but I hope she really reads it, and not use it as a coaster. When she begins to read it, she will need someone to help her understand it. The Catholic Church would be her most reliable instructor. You wouldn’t hand car keys to someone who’s never even laid eyes on a care before, with only the car’s manual to learn to drive with? Would you?
 
Little Mary:
Who says a miracle happened outside of the church?

You did a wonderful thing and the girl was obviously very moved and maybe a protestant bible is better than no bible at all, but I hope she really reads it, and not use it as a coaster. When she begins to read it, she will need someone to help her understand it. The Catholic Church would be her most reliable instructor. You wouldn’t hand car keys to someone who’s never even laid eyes on a care before, with only the car’s manual to learn to drive with? Would you?
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First off I should say that for all I know the girl could have been a devout Catholic that knew far more about the Bible than I ever could - but had simply fallen into a tough situation and was about to make the wrong decision.

Second, I should have been more careful with my words about “outside of the Church.”

What I meant was that on that day God chose to put a two Jehovah’s Witnesses a Protestant and his Bible there to help that girl. Now I was told by a Catholic on a different thread that a Bible in the hands of a Protestant was theft. Seems to me that on that day that Bible could have been in no better place.

Next, when we liberated Afghanistan a few hidden Christians came out and spoke of their trials in the country. I remember reading about one man that all he had was one of those little green Gospels that missionaries hand out. He kept it hidden in his chimney and every day he would take it out and read it when he thought it was safe.

Now this man was not a Catholic he probably had not even ever seen a Catholic Church and probably never will. How was he supposed to read it? Was that Bible stolen property in his hands? He probably will never be in a situation where he will have enough Catholics around to teach him of Catholicism. Should this man stop reading the Bible? If Afghanistan had not been liberated what would have happened? Tell this man that his Bible was not sufficient.

Sometimes a Bible is all that anyone has to teach them. My father’s ancestors lived in a sod hut in South Dakota, do you think that they had any Catholics around to teach them about the gospel. The only time that they even saw anybody other than their immediate family was at Church on Sunday, and of course there was only one Church within 100 miles. It was a very long way on horseback to the closest Catholic much less Catholic Church.
 
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Shibboleth:
First off I should say that for all I know the girl could have been a devout Catholic that knew far more about the Bible than I ever could - but had simply fallen into a tough situation and was about to make the wrong decision.

Second, I should have been more careful with my words about “outside of the Church.”

What I meant was that on that day God chose to put a two Jehovah’s Witnesses a Protestant and his Bible there to help that girl. Now I was told by a Catholic on a different thread that a Bible in the hands of a Protestant was theft. Seems to me that on that day that Bible could have been in no better place.

Next, when we liberated Afghanistan a few hidden Christians came out and spoke of their trials in the country. I remember reading about one man that all he had was one of those little green Gospels that missionaries hand out. He kept it hidden in his chimney and every day he would take it out and read it when he thought it was safe.

Now this man was not a Catholic he probably had not even ever seen a Catholic Church and probably never will. How was he supposed to read it? Was that Bible stolen property in his hands? He probably will never be in a situation where he will have enough Catholics around to teach him of Catholicism. Should this man stop reading the Bible? If Afghanistan had not been liberated what would have happened? Tell this man that his Bible was not sufficient.

Sometimes a Bible is all that anyone has to teach them. My father’s ancestors lived in a sod hut in South Dakota, do you think that they had any Catholics around to teach them about the gospel. The only time that they even saw anybody other than their immediate family was at Church on Sunday, and of course there was only one Church within 100 miles. It was a very long way on horseback to the closest Catholic much less Catholic Church.
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I did not mean to offend and I DID say that a protestant bible was better than no bible at all. And yes there are many situations around the world where all one has is a bible. Don’t try to generalize that and make it sound like Catholics are walking around saying that is not a good thing. That’s not fair. Furthermore, if everyone would come home to the One True Church, we could all work together to spread the word of God, as He taught it, throughout the world much more effectively.

And yes, God works in mysterious ways.
 
Shibboleth - - the girl was in dire straights, looking for cash and you handed her a bible? HUH?

Now, if you had handed her money and the bible (which you did not indicate you did), then I could understand her tears of joy. I think with only the bible (and I am surmising this) I think her tears might have been those of total frustration - another “Christian”.

My home was Afghanistan for 12 years. There were many WONDERFUL Christians there that worked with the local community in Kabul, where I lived. One thing we knew, as guests of that country was to NEVER, EVER prozelitize our religion…it was and is against the government of Afghanistan.

How did we preach about our Christian Faith? Through and by example, by word - remember a death sentence hangs on finding written material - and love. Songs - in fact, there was big trouble when one of the little blind children at the Noor Institute sang “Jesus loves Me” without knowing who was listening. Scary stuff. The institute was run by a Christian Minister, Christy Wilson (author of The Tentmakers) who was from Gordon Cronwell Seminiaries. The institute was not supposed to be religious but the well meaning Christians just could not “help” themselves and prozelitized. Some of them were invited to leave the country.

And please don’t look to Afghanistan to start embracing Christianity…it is a Muslim country.

If I take the bible and read it for myself and interpret if for myself, I can tell you that I should take an eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth. In reality, we know that that is not the way that particular scripture should be interpreted…but HOW do we know that? Who says so?

The Catholic Church wrote, compiled and has preserved the FULL Bible for many years now. The Protestant Churches have taken out books that do not suit them and have used their private interpretations of the bible to suit themselves.

When a Protestant disagrees with whata pastor is says, they go down the street to another church. When they decide to get with the times, they ordain divorced ministers, women, actively acting homosexual men and women, and who knows what will be next?

Of course, since no Protestant Church has the promise that the gates of hell will not prevail against them, it is no wonder that there is eternal optimism that the next church will be just the ticket to agree with the way “I” interpret the bible.

Sorry - I have to agree with the statement that says that (paraphrasing here) the bible has been stolen by the Protestants. In fact, I dare say that because, unfortunately, of the division of so many different Protestant sects that they could never form a council to agree on any interpretation of the bible.

“That they may ALL BE ONE” was a prayer of Jesus and He left us the tools to be that one.

In Christ’s peace - Chimakuni (which is Farsi for “how may I help you?”)
 
A P.S. - I am not trivializing the plight of the Afghans - they have had such a hard history - a history that, please, God, we will never know. I just have a hard time knowing that Christians, well meaning, I know; go into a country that they know they are not supposed to prozelitize in and then do what they are not supposed to do. How is that honoring God?..with a stolen book*, no less!*the Protestant bible
 
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chimakuni:
Shibboleth - - the girl was in dire straights, looking for cash and you handed her a bible? HUH?

Now, if you had handed her money and the bible (which you did not indicate you did), then I could understand her tears of joy. I think with only the bible (and I am surmising this) I think her tears might have been those of total frustration - another “Christian”.
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I cannot claim to know her hart, but she gave me a hard hug beyond the tears and the general ambiance of the situation was one of “thank you.” I did not get any sense of frustration because of another Christian. And I do not think that money would have been the answer she needed at the time. If it was for food, yes – but I think that it was to get a loved one out of jail. Once again though I do not know for sure.
Sorry - I have to agree with the statement that says that (paraphrasing here) the bible has been stolen by the Protestants. In fact, I dare say that because, unfortunately, of the division of so many different Protestant sects that they could never form a council to agree on any interpretation of the bible.
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A member on this web page directed me a few weeks back to a Priest in this area that I have been in discourse with for the last two weeks. I asked him about the statement, “A Bible in the hands of a protestant is stolen property.”

He said, “We do not teach covetous in the Catholic Church. We do not have the right to say who can and cannot carry the Bible. One needs the Catholic Church to guide them through it, especially with some of the more difficult verses, but it is not ours to deny privileges. It is not my place to say, but you are welcome to any Bible that you own and I will send you one in the mail that you can carry with my blessing.”
 
Shibboleth - I did not mean that you cannot have a bible…please, though, start carrying one with ALL the books in it! Don’t carry a Reader’s Digest version of the bible. Your bible is missing books! HELP!

That no one can have a bible, is not I don’t think, what the author intended…and when I agreed with the statement, it was not with that in mind. More like the bible has been hijacked by others and torn apart and left to be figured out by private interpretation. And as a Catholic I feel very sad about that. That a Catholic Book has been taken and used by others but not in its entirity.

It would be the same as my handing you a photograph (digital graph? ha) album of our family. However, I have ripped some of the pages out which chronical our family tree. Then I would ask you to tell me, based on the names of the people you find in the album and some information I give you, to put a complete picture together of my family tree.

You could not do it - you do not have all the pieces because some of the photos are missing and not all of tradition has not been passed down.

You need - everyone who wants to know Christ better - the WHOLE picture. I just realized too, that those who espouse Sola Scriptura and private interpretation have their own tradition of not accepting what the Catholic Church teaches and also unfortunately, of thinking they know what the Catholic Church teaches (usually erronously)…and that is their tradition.

Shibboleth, I am glad that you are speaking with a Catholic priest - if the offer to give you a bible from him still holds, please take it and read the whole bible!

God Bless you -
 
My NASB has all of the Books that you mention and some of the Orthodox ones that are not included in the RC bibles. I must admit though that they are in the back.
 
too funny! In the back…but hey - as long as they are in there, happy reading! Shibboleth - you will be Catholic before long and I wish to be invited to your confirmation! God Bless -
 
Katholikos,
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Katholikos:
Which Bible is the written Word of God?

gbgm-umc.org/umw/bible/canon2.stm
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The one first canonized by Pope Damasus I in 382 AD, affirmed by councils in Hippo and Carthage, whose canons were ratified by Pope Innocent I, affirmed again by the Ecumencial Council of Florence over 100 years prior to Protestant dissent, which was definitely refuted by the Ecumenical Council of Trent in the 16th century.

Which Bible did you have in mind?
 
And please don’t look to Afghanistan to start embracing Christianity…it is a Muslim country.
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And Rome was a pagan empire. Yet we still look to all countries to embrace Christianity. We believe given a free choice, the fullness of truth found in Chrisitianity will prevail.
 
Sorry - I have to agree with the statement that says that (paraphrasing here) the bible has been stolen by the Protestants.
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Ridiculous.

The Bible should be read by Muslims, pagans, Protestants, Catholics, Atheists, etc. … it is the written Word of God given to all mankind. I have helped convert many non-Catholics to Catholicism, and they are much more ready for that leap of faith when they already have faith that the Bible is the written Word of God and that Jesus is the Son of God, our Lord and Savior. If they become Catholic by way of Protestantism, I have nothing but thanks for my separated brethren.

Your polemics are embarrassing. I’m pleased that you’ve “explained” what you “really” meant. However, I’d say you need to take a deep breath before thrusting your words out at non-Catholics seeking the know God with all their heart.

“May your behavior and your conversation be such that everyone who sees or hears you can say: This man reads the life of Jesus Christ”
– Blessed Josemaria Escriva
 
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itsjustdave1988:
Katholikos,
The one first canonized by Pope Damasus I in 382 AD, affirmed by councils in Hippo and Carthage, whose canons were ratified by Pope Innocent I, affirmed again by the Ecumencial Council of Florence over 100 years prior to Protestant dissent, which was definitively refuted by the Ecumenical Council of Trent in the 16th century.

Which Bible did you have in mind?
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What is the Bible? The divinely inspired record of God’s revelation to man

How should it be read? Within the context each book was written. The NT in the context of the early church.

If anyone wishes to show that this early church is not the Catholic Church, then study the history of the first couple of centuries of the church. This early church sure looks like the Catholic church to me.
 
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