It is not my intention to make this a Tyndale thread. I am simply compelled to point out false statements and gross generalizations. Your strained analogy of a renegade priest to Our Lord and the Apostle Paul is off-base. Zooey’s analogy of JWs is closer to the point. Yes, today JW’s (etc) have the “freedom” to preach falsely. Yes, today [certain groups] have the “freedom” to slice and dice God’s Holy Word without fear of imprisonment.
You have the “freedom” to believe that the bible in your hands is a complete bible. Did Tyndale “deserve” to die at the hands of the monarchy? Of course not. Was Tyndale killed “simply for preaching the gospel”, same as Our Lord and the Apostle Paul? Hardly.
NPS,
Given your reverence for the Holy Scripture please explain to me evident lack of biblical knowledge among Catholics in general.
I simply reject the theory that there is an
“evident lack of biblical knowledge among Catholics in general” as compared to any other denomination. I believe this to be a canard. I believe it to be convenient personal opinion dressed up as “common knowledge.” I believe it to be an oft-repeated assertion by non-Catholics who feel a sort of denominational inferiority complex.
I believe that it is used by those who wish to compensate for their own doubts about the shortcomings of their own denomination to feel a superiority to people belonging to that Church which holds an unspoken place of primacy.
Tell me how is it that many who claim to be Christians can be so woefully ignorant of God’s Word.
If, as it reads in this context, you are making this statement of Catholics in particular you should be ashamed of yourself. Do Catholics only “claim” to be christians? Are Catholics so “woefully ignorant”? I would certainly love to know how you come by these “facts” you throw out at us so boldy.
Personally, I have, in the last few years, spent literally (it sticks in my throat to acknowledge it) hundreds of hours in conversation/debate/arguing/exploring the faith online and in group and one-on-one situations. I have NEVER run across any evidence whatsoever that ANY group or denomination has an “edge” or a singular deficiency in reading/knowing the bible. I have found that it appears to be an individual thing. Are there denominational influences which lend themselves to the possiblity of increased biblical study? Probably. But is there one particular group which has ingrained deficiencies for biblical study? Wishful thinking on anti-Catholics part, I’d say. What you regard as “fact” sounds an awful lot like ignorant rhetoric.
As I said earlier, I believe a fairly low percentage of people from ANY DENOMINATION can tell you much about the
who, what, why, where, context, and overall intent of any given book or gospel, much less memorize it.
I have found that there are scads of individuals who spout verses they have memorized which they think “proves” this or that. It is often through this “verse-slapping” that people gain the reputation of “knowing” the bible. I have found through much experience that the reputation certain groups have of “knowing” the bible is greatly----greatly—exaggerated.
The above I acknowledge as
my opinion, albeit one based on much experience and much inter-denominational interaction. I only ask that others who give us “facts” do the same.
Did not Jesus himself say, “If you love me, keep my commandments.” How does one do this if one remains ignorant of Scripture?
This is a non-sequitur. I missed the part where Jesus then told us to read this great book He was preparing to publish 300 years in the future.
People had no bible to read. They went to the Church to learn the gospel. They listened to what was handed down to them orally.
They were taught by the apostles and by those whom the apostles handed on authority for teaching. They took part in the sacraments.
They took part in the life of the Church.
(There are reasons and/or practices in different denominations which I believe help people to not feel an immediate need to study the bible. I’ll go on about that later as I’ve posted too long already.)
Well, okay, I don’t give a hoot about how Hindus do their rituals, so you have a point there. 
Did I say that all Christians have no need to know the bible well? What does Luke 16 have to do with this? (You’ll have to explain it to me—I’m Catholic and we’re not allowed to even see the bible
I beg your pardon?? I only addressed your historical ignorance of Tyndale. How **in blazes **did I get on your list of those who have not “demonstrated the ability to deal with the simple text of the Word of God”??
pains me to agree with Henry VIII (or Elizabeth 2 for that matter) about anything.
something like the way that 
Che Guevara came to be a symbol of freedom to a whole generation of American teenagers. (I was
go to Bolivia, steal his ashes, & carry back to Cuba. Ah, well. I grew out of it. Thank God!!)
much less with proving it.