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Eireann
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Reading the Bible is one thing, knowing the Bible is another, what use is being able to quote the scriptures, if you misrepresent what it means ?
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IHS
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It, really doesn,t matter. The question is who is living it.
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LegionofMary
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Reading through all the responses in this thread, I personally feel a different approach would be more to the point. My question to all would be;
“What does God want from us?”
I"ll answer, “Holiness”
“What is Holiness?”
Union with God.
“How do we attain union with God?”
Through the Eucharist.
"And Jesus said, ‘I tell you the truth, unless you eat my flesh and drink my blood, you have no life in you. Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up on the last day. For my flesh is real food and my blood is real drink. Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood remains in me, and I in him.’
“What does God want from us?”
I"ll answer, “Holiness”
“What is Holiness?”
Union with God.
“How do we attain union with God?”
Through the Eucharist.
"And Jesus said, ‘I tell you the truth, unless you eat my flesh and drink my blood, you have no life in you. Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up on the last day. For my flesh is real food and my blood is real drink. Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood remains in me, and I in him.’
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MrS
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Now if our separated brethren would read the Gospels more than they try to misinterpret St Paul…
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RevDrNorth
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Having expereinced both groups I would say that Baptists particularly are far…far ahead of Catholics (and Episcopalians) in their knowledge of the bible in terms of being able to quote scripture and know where the books of the bible are loccated within the covers. Many Catholics would have trouble fidning the book of Hebrews.
As others have pointed out through, being able to quote scripture to support doctrinal preferences and delcare them biblical (prooftexting) is a far different matter from living the scriptures or having the spirit of scripture down. It can lead to very mindless literalism that takes every comma as if God spoke it. Rabbi Kushner points out that surely we have to understand the human nature of the Psalms and the beauty of what the Psalmist is saying rather than ridgedly interpreting it all as a direct quote from God. Their beauty is in the human longing, the exression of pain and so on.
North
As others have pointed out through, being able to quote scripture to support doctrinal preferences and delcare them biblical (prooftexting) is a far different matter from living the scriptures or having the spirit of scripture down. It can lead to very mindless literalism that takes every comma as if God spoke it. Rabbi Kushner points out that surely we have to understand the human nature of the Psalms and the beauty of what the Psalmist is saying rather than ridgedly interpreting it all as a direct quote from God. Their beauty is in the human longing, the exression of pain and so on.
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Marat
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I think maybe your focus should be little more on being a Christian and a little less on being baptist. Maybe then you’d be a little more charitable with your posting style.
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jemfinch
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Demons?
There won’t be any baptists in heaven. If you’re there, you’ll be Catholic by then.
Jeremy
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Montalban
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levi86
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Id have to say that protestants “know” the Bible better, in that they are able rattle off scripture by chapter and verse from memory. But having a good memory doesn’t mean that one understands the Bible.
Catholics on the other hand are (or at least they should be) raised in the Living Tradition of the Church. The Bible is not the source of our faith, instead it is an expression of what we already know to be true.
Levi
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Church_Militant
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know the Bible better than Catholic. Also I never knew a Baptist than felt that they Hadto go to church. We go because we desire to worship God together with other Christians.
And Yes anyone can menorize verses but Psalms 119; 11 “thy word have I hide in My heart than I might not sin against thee” says it all.
forever Baptist
allischalmers"Maybe" is about all you can say there. I disagree that you might know the Bible better than I do, and I have substantive experience with Baptists and other n-C denom people, and the fact is that I have not found it so.
Catholics have to participate at Mass on Sundays in obedience to the Word of God, and the tradition as established in the New Testament. It may sound to you like a compulsion, but your implication is in error (as in you wish it were so) since I and most faithful Catholics attend Mass on Sunday (not to mention daily Mass!) because we love God and show up to worship Him.
As for the idea that Psalm 119:11 speaks of verse memorization; I think you are stretching it far beyond its actual meaning. In fact, I defy you to supply me with a passage anywhere in the Word of God that says that we should memorize parts of the Bible. You can’t do it because it’s just not there; not even by implication.
Is memorizing parts of the Bible a bad thing? By no means, but saying that any passage of the Bible tells us we should is just as silly as your assertion that Catholics only go to Mass because we have to or that the Bible does not tell us to keep holy the Lord’s day.
As for the idea that you are not Catholic because of your (supposedly) superior knowledge of the Bible I would challenge that as well. What I have found in interacting with you here on the forums is that you rarely enter into a discussion beyond posts about like this one and that you are mostly versed in your own denominational interpretation of any given passage of scripture. Whoop de doo!
If you know the Word of God so well, then I challenge you to enter into the discussions on here with whatever insight that you have and see if it holds up to debate and exploration. Sitting there hiding behind your little “forever Baptist” shield while making one liners without real substance is almost no “witness” at all.
Pax tecum tractor man,
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ComradeAndrei
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I would say that Catholics are far more knowledgable about the Bible. Discounting lukewarm and ignorant people, both Catholic and Protestant, the Catholic knows the Bible much better. I would also bet that the lukewarm Catholic knows the Bible better than the lukewarm Protestant, if they are honest with what they’ve learned and not duped by a fast talking preacher. He might not be able to sling verse, but he has a deep and abiding knowledge of the Word of God-which is not contained solely in the Bible.
I’ve met plenty of Protestants who can quote passages of the Bible, but none that have really deeply imbibed of Holy Writ. They can say what they think it says, but often in choice passages. What about the other 65% (87% of stats are made up on the spot ) that they don’t know?
Other posters have commented on Protestant friends or family seeing the Passion of the Christ and not knowing that certain parts they saw were indeed in the Bible-the Gospels nonetheless! I’ve known many that know the parts of the Bible that concern faith and salvation (supposedly by faith alone) but can’t comprehend anything deeper than that. Christological types in the Old Testament go right over their heads.
I’m not saying that I’m a Bible scholar, but I think that is the first step to Biblical wisdom-the realization that you really don’t know much about it and that the Bible isn’t some Gnostic-like “secret knowledge” or a code for the end of the world. Also, I’ll take an ECF’s word over someone who has only read through the Bible in English and think they have Salvation wrapped up in one neat KJV sized box.
I’ve met plenty of Protestants who can quote passages of the Bible, but none that have really deeply imbibed of Holy Writ. They can say what they think it says, but often in choice passages. What about the other 65% (87% of stats are made up on the spot
) that they don’t know?Other posters have commented on Protestant friends or family seeing the Passion of the Christ and not knowing that certain parts they saw were indeed in the Bible-the Gospels nonetheless! I’ve known many that know the parts of the Bible that concern faith and salvation (supposedly by faith alone) but can’t comprehend anything deeper than that. Christological types in the Old Testament go right over their heads.
I’m not saying that I’m a Bible scholar, but I think that is the first step to Biblical wisdom-the realization that you really don’t know much about it and that the Bible isn’t some Gnostic-like “secret knowledge” or a code for the end of the world. Also, I’ll take an ECF’s word over someone who has only read through the Bible in English and think they have Salvation wrapped up in one neat KJV sized box.
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Gottle_of_Geer
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I disagree vigorously
There is a lot ignorance in the UK, among both Catholics & Protestants. The people who do know their Bibles well are usually Evangelicals. And by “well”, I mean well - they not only know where to find what they quote, but they have a good understanding of it, & can talk about it intelligently.
I share your distress at this - it’s lamentable. And mad - if Jesus matters to people, they will read the NT, especially the Gospels. If they don’t read the Gospels, maybe He is not really that important. F. J. Sheed said that first - how right he was. ##
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runandsew
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What exactly is “knowing” the Bible better?
Memorized scripture passages?
Knowing the overall biblical story line?
Being able to find what you believe quickly?
Being able to find the New Testament prophecies out of the Old Testament?
Theology?
All of the above?
I know the overall story line, I don’t have too many passages memorized, but when I hear them, I recognize them and can find them if you give me enough time. I can find the passages to defend my faith if I have a cheat sheet.
I have listened to tapes and cd’'s of the Bible and about the Bible.
But is that knowing the Bible.
If I know the Bible and believe the Catholic Church is true, and a Baptist knows the Bible and believes the Catholic Church is un-true, who knows the Bible better?
But then again, I’ve been influenced by Scott Hahn’s teaching on Bible history, and haven’t listened to many protestant teachers on Bible history.
Memorized scripture passages?
Knowing the overall biblical story line?
Being able to find what you believe quickly?
Being able to find the New Testament prophecies out of the Old Testament?
Theology?
All of the above?
I know the overall story line, I don’t have too many passages memorized, but when I hear them, I recognize them and can find them if you give me enough time. I can find the passages to defend my faith if I have a cheat sheet.
I have listened to tapes and cd’'s of the Bible and about the Bible.
But is that knowing the Bible.
If I know the Bible and believe the Catholic Church is true, and a Baptist knows the Bible and believes the Catholic Church is un-true, who knows the Bible better?
But then again, I’ve been influenced by Scott Hahn’s teaching on Bible history, and haven’t listened to many protestant teachers on Bible history.
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puzzleannie
Guest
I agree about Bible knowledge of my Baptist neighbors, including teens, but even in Texas we don’t consider you Baptists as demons.
from our point of view I am however compelled to point out that the NT warns us several times against studying the Bible without authoratative teaching and interpretation, which results in compounded ignorance, not in knowledge. So our Bible study, in whatever context, however guided, is only as beneficial and worthwhile as the authority of one leading it. Many Protestants would claim the Holy Spirit alone is their guide, but if that is the case, Christ has lied about the Holy Spirit protecting and guiding the Church, because the Holy Spirit cannot contradict himself, as biblical scholars of all denominations do constantly.
Thomas Aquinas speaks of ignorance, vincible ignorance which can be cured by seeking instruction and edification, and invincible ignorance, which is impervious to instruction. He further warns that for the Christian to knowingly, by choice, remain in ignorance is a mortal sin and that such a one will be lost. That sadly will be the fate of many Catholics who deliberately refuse to seek instruction in the Faith and by choice remain ignorant of God’s Holy Word.
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Veritas41
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Based on my experience of 8 years in the Catholic Church, I’ve found many Catholics are just plain ignorant of the Catholic faith, not just the Bible. I don’t think there’s enough parishes are doing to teach teen and adult Catholics about Scripture. However, I have also found that while overall Protestants may generally have more knowledge about the Bible (memorizing Scripture is more emphasized in Protestant churches, etc.), their *understanding *seems much more limited than you might initially think. Many I’ve met just know “proof texts” for their various doctrines,and others a familiar only with certain portions.
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ALLFORHIM
Guest
Hi,
Regarding the catholic comment–I agree with you. Most of the catholics I know dont know their faith let alone their bible. Now most of the protestants I know(mainstreamed)know their faith but dont know the bible well at all.Yes I agree with you on protestants being limited in knowledge. Of the evangelicals I know,unless they are brand new to salvation, know both. I really think the only way to really know both is to study it,of course, and put it into practice. That goes for both denoms.
In anything in life the only way to be better at it is practice.
If you ask any group that KNOWS their bible and their belief system, they will say they study and they practice.
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MrS
Guest
Perhaps the thread could be subtitled:
Who has the authority to teach the Bible Better? Protestant Churches… or the Catholic Church.
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Who has the authority to teach the Bible Better? Protestant Churches… or the Catholic Church.
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happygal
Guest
Well i can said most Catholic in this forum knows their bible well, however that does not apply to all Catholic, come on i even have Catholic frez who don’t even understand “Faith without work is dead and work without faith is dead”…so i took up RCIA just to know more about Catholicism and hope to share more of it to my Catholic frez.
I really hope, Catholic frez here, mind that you do not cast some reason that all protestant only memorise verse and don’t understand the bible…coz they are also Catholic who go Mass and yet does not understand anything what the priest is preaching about…
I really hope, Catholic frez here, mind that you do not cast some reason that all protestant only memorise verse and don’t understand the bible…coz they are also Catholic who go Mass and yet does not understand anything what the priest is preaching about…
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