Your Opinion? How Many Have Read the Entire Bible?

[TOP]

Yes, I agree with your point. It’s ultimately about understanding and then applying.

My observation is that although 95%+ of Christians haven’t read the entire Bible for themselves, many will dogmatically insist their beliefs are correct over other groups.

These 95%+ of Christians will publically pass judgment on other religions and their beliefs, even though they haven’t really studied the Bible themselves.

So, I believe the very first question you should ask anyone who is criticizing another religion is whether they’ve read the Bible themselves. If so, how many times?

If a person hasn’t read the Bible themselves, multiple times, they shouldn’t render an opinion.

To do so is simply to repeat what someone else has told them to believe. And often time, that “authority” hasn’t even read the Bible themselves.

Can’t you all see the weapon of pride here. Take your time and study the word , first applying what you have learned. You rush judgment. Tim

 

[TraditionalCath]

I’m curious… In your opinion…

Of the 7 Billion people in the world…What percentage have read the entire Bible?

Of the 1 Billion Catholics, what percentage have read the entire Bible?

Thank-you,

Steve

me. 7 times and counting.

 

[TraditionalCath]

Y
If a person hasn’t read the Bible themselves, multiple times, they shouldn’t render an opinion.

To do so is simply to repeat what someone else has told them to believe. And often time, that “authority” hasn’t even read the Bible themselves.

when referring to “that authority” are you referring to the Holy Father? if so, i wouldn’t say that if i was you because your not him, and you don’t know whether he has read the entire Bible or not, and it is extremely likely that he has considering his incredible knowledge about faith and morals and even the scriptures themselves. so if your speaking of the Holy Father as " that authority" please, don’t even go there. iam assuming by your statement, “that authority” that you mean the pope. if iam incorrect, i apologize. if not, well then unless you know the Holy Father yourself, and know what he has read in his lifetime, i wouldn’t even go there.

 

[BibleSteve]

I would assume the Pope has read the entire Bible.

 

[BibleSteve]

Just to clarify my comment and opinion about the need to have read the entire Bible before voicing criticism about people’s understanding of Bible points.

Let’s say I come across someone critical of (Catholic/Protestant/etc) beliefs, my conversation will likely be something like this:

Critic: “The _________'s are all wrong”

Me: “Really? Why do you say that?”

Critic: “Because they believe ___________ and that’s not what the Bible says.”

Me: “Have you read the entire Bible?”

Critic: “No”

Me: “Then how do you know the Bible doesn’t teach that?”

Critic: “Because the Pastor of my church really knows the Bible and says ________ are wrong on this point”

Me: “So, you really haven’t come to this conclusion on your own research, but are just related to me what someone else thinks about _____________”.

Critic: “Well, I guess…”

Me: "Now, since you’re criticizing the ___________'s understanding of this point, have you taken the time to understand their reasons for that understanding? Before explaining why you think they’re wrong, can you tell me the reasons they believe as they do?”

Critic: “Well, no”.

Me: “Why don’t you first read up on their reasons before telling me they’re wrong. Wouldn’t it be far more fair to fully understand both sides of the debate before simply declaring yourself right and them wrong?”

Critic: “I guess I see your point”

*Note: And yes, I know there are those of all religious groups (including JW’s) who haven’t read the entire Bible and yet express negative comments about other religions beliefs.

I’m simply underscoring my opinion that each and every Bible student should read and study the entire Bible many times, before forming solid opinions. Unfortunately 95% of Christians haven’t even read the entire Bible, but go around declaring other Christian groups to be wrong.*

 

[notself]

BibleSteve,

You’re advice will do well with any topic. How many have read the Constitution; the Federalist papers, even the Declaration if Independence? Yet, these people will criticize others for their political beliefs saying they are un-American.

How many people believe things without ever reading the source documents? We had the mess with Katrina because no one in power ever read the full warnings of what a hurricane would do. No one at the State level or the local level ever read the emergency evacuation plan that said to use school buses to get people out of town.

Many people rather follow blindly than to do the hard investigative work to find the truth of any matter.

 

[paarsurrey]

*Note: And yes, I know there are those of all religious groups (including JW’s) who haven’t read the entire Bible and yet express negative comments about other religions beliefs.

I’m simply underscoring my opinion that each and every Bible student should read and study the entire Bible many times, before forming solid opinions. Unfortunately 95% of Christians haven’t even read the entire Bible, but go around declaring other Christian groups to be wrong.*

Hi

I agree with you.

I have read OT & NT Bibles in Urdu from cover to cover.

Thanks

 

[b_justb]

I’m simply underscoring my opinion that each and every Bible student should read and study the entire Bible many times, before forming solid opinions. Unfortunately 95% of Christians haven’t even read the entire Bible, but go around declaring other Christian groups to be wrong.

Unless we’re talking about Christians from the first century who didn’t have the entire canon at their disposal to read and held strong views about their faith anyway. St. Paul died before the Gospel of Sts. Luke and John was written. St. Paul certainly held strong views of the Christian faith.

I think it’s just a ploy to use the argument template you have described. One basic fundamental difference between Catholic theology and JW ideology is the Trinity. People that have not read all of Scripture who adhere to the Trinitarian formula, according to you, have no business holding to this core belief because they are automatically disqualified having not read all of the Sacred Canon.

This argument template you have described also disqualifies JW’s from speaking to people about biblical issues that they talk to while going door to door.

Mr. JW: Hi, my name is Mr. JW. Do you think everyone goes to heaven?

Unsuspecting person at home on a Saturday morning: Yes I do.

Mr. JW: Have you read all of the bible?

Unsuspecting person at home on a Saturday morning: No I haven’t.

Mr. JW: Well since you haven’t read the entire bible I can’t talk to you about this until you have.

Unsuspecting person at home on a Saturday morning: Why did you bother me on my only day off then?

[crickets]sound bite[/crickets]

End of conversation according to your argument. What business does a person have discussing anything biblical with a persona that has not read all of Scripture? Are you suggesting that the JW’s stop going door to door if your figure of 95% of Christians have not read all of Scripture is fairly accurate? What will they speak to them about? Or should the JW objectives change from proselytizing to just encouraging bible reading and instead of handing out publications that outline JW ideas they should just hand out bibles?

 

[BibleSteve]

What business does a person have discussing anything biblical with a persona that has not read all of Scripture? Are you suggesting that the JW’s stop going door to door if your figure of 95% of Christians have not read all of Scripture is fairly accurate?

No, I wasn’t suggesting that at all. I’m sorry I wasn’t more clear for you.

My point is that a Christian who hasn’t read the entire Bible and hasn’t familiarized himself with the scriptural reasons for other groups beliefs shouldn’t dogmatically insist he is right and the other group is wrong.

Instead, he should spend his time reading the Bible while studying the Scriptural reasons why others believe as they do.

 

[Allweather]

No, I wasn’t suggesting that at all. I’m sorry I wasn’t more clear for you.

My point is that a Christian who hasn’t read the entire Bible and hasn’t familiarized himself with the scriptural reasons for other groups beliefs shouldn’t dogmatically insist he is right and the other group is wrong.

Instead, he should spend his time reading the Bible while studying the Scriptural reasons why others believe as they do.

BibleSteve, is it your opinion that all who read the entire Bible will come to identical conclusions as to what it means?

 

[TOP]

BibleSteve, is it your opinion that all who read the entire Bible will come to identical conclusions as to what it means?

This tactic is to hasten the seperation of the wheat and tares. Don’t read the bible and judge others as a result or you find yourself a tare! Start by doing what is already on your heart? Grow in rich soil or it won’t take root. Not throw more seed on rocks. Tim

 

[TOP]

Instead, he should spend his time reading the Bible while studying the Scriptural reasons why others believe as they do.

This tactic is to hasten the seperation of the wheat and tares. Don’t read the bible and judge others as a result or you find yourself a tare! Start by doing what is already on your heart? Grow in rich soil or it won’t take root. Not throw more seed on rocks. Tim

 

[BibleSteve]

BibleSteve, is it your opinion that all who read the entire Bible will come to identical conclusions as to what it means?

My opinion is that unfortunately, most Christians haven’t really studied the Bible. Most have only read parts of it, and have been told by their Church what they think it says. 95% haven’t made it through the Bible even once.

My point is to encourage more Bible reading, and more investigation of the scriptural reasons others have for their beliefs.

As for the 1-5% of Christian who’ve really studied the Bible for themselves to the very best of their ability, I applaud them.

They are now in a position to express an intelligent opinion instead of just repeating someone else’s view.

Among those who’ve really done their own study, there will be variations in understanding. They will then self-identify with other people who understand as they do.

 

[paarsurrey]

No, I wasn’t suggesting that at all. I’m sorry I wasn’t more clear for you.

My point is that a Christian who hasn’t read the entire Bible and hasn’t familiarized himself with the scriptural reasons for other groups beliefs shouldn’t dogmatically insist he is right and the other group is wrong.

Instead, he should spend his time reading the Bible while studying the Scriptural reasons why others believe as they do.

Hi

I agree with you. In principle your approach is correct.

Thanks

 

[Isa_Almisry]

A Few observations:

1. The question is not important: Satan I am sure has read it more than all of humanity.
2. The question is not important. Most Christians throughout history could not read, but passed on the faith anyway.
3. The question is not important. If you have not read all 500+ pages of Webster’s dictionary, does that mean you do not speak English?
4. The question is not important. If Moses wrote Genesis, etc., there was nothing to read from Adam to him, yet Abraham, who came inbetween, is the Father of All the Faithful.
5. The question is not important. The earliest writing of the New Testament, I Thessalonians already speaks of a Church in existence. Did those who had fallen asleep (I Thessalonians 4.13) die without hope?

That being said, “to whom much is given, from him much will be required.” To those who can, read. There will be tests and a Final Exam.

 

[TOP]

A Few observations:

1. The question is not important: Satan I am sure has read it more than all of humanity.
2. The question is not important. Most Christians throughout history could not read, but passed on the faith anyway.
3. The question is not important. If you have not read all 500+ pages of Webster’s dictionary, does that mean you do not speak English?
4. The question is not important. If Moses wrote Genesis, etc., there was nothing to read from Adam to him, yet Abraham, who came inbetween, is the Father of All the Faithful.
5. The question is not important. The earliest writing of the New Testament, I Thessalonians already speaks of a Church in existence. Did those who had fallen asleep (I Thessalonians 4.13) die without hope?

That being said, “to whom much is given, from him much will be required.” To those who can, read. There will be tests and a Final Exam.

Nailed it. Who is the Word? Is it living? Is the Word infinite? Better be doing what you know. Tim

 

[notself]

BibleSteve, is it your opinion that all who read the entire Bible will come to identical conclusions as to what it means?

This may be surprising to those of you who have never read the Bible as published by the Catholic Church, but it comes with extensive footnotes and end notes explaining each passage according to the teachings of the Church.

Personal interpretation is not an issue if one has faith in the interpretations given by the Church.

Unfortunately the online Douay-Rheims Bible does not have footnotes. I recommend you buy a Vatican approved Bible that does.

But for those who can’t wait to get started, here is a link to the Douay-Rheims Bible.

drbo.org/

 

[centurion50]

I’ve read the Bible about 20x, also some words I checkout in the Strongs Gk. and Heb. dictionaries, the important thing is to keep on reading the Bible because we never fully learn or understand its teachings in any single reading. Why would you not read the Bible thru, if it is God’s Word, if you can read and use Logic you need to partake of the LOGOS-WORD OF GOD.

 

[Mag_Uidhir]

Yes I’ve read the entire Bible, at the tender age of 17.

 

[Apryl]

I would venture to say that 30% is drastically too high of an estimate for Catholics.

WHY?

OK, first of all, Catholics DO read their bibles.

S’matter of fact, Catholics that ATTEND MASS read a lot of the bible.

My differences in Catholics and Protestants in how many have read THE BIBLE comes from my belief that most Protestants have ‘choice’ passages that they read over and over again, where many more (in my estimation) Catholics that DO read the bible are more inclined to read more OF the Bible.

Don’t forget, just like their are Catholics that have never had a bible in their home, never made any effort to read their bible, the same may be said of Protestants.