Your Opinion? How Many Have Read the Entire Bible?

[RedSoxFan]

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

This would be a shot in the dark. But I’m going to say not nearly enough. I have read it twice over at ages 10, 12 and again at 28 (not finished with the 3rd time). There is so much that you miss you have to read it consistently.

 

[masondoggy]

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The Bible isn’t material that lends itself to cover-to-cover reading. The story line jumps around. If one starts at “In the beginning” and tries working thru to Revelation, one is probably going to get bogged down in Leviticus, fall asleep, and forget the project. It really helps to understand the layout, read what is important first, and leave the less important details for later study.

laughing because that’s exactly what happened to me *several *times!

I did wise up one time and skipped the OT and got through the NT. Now, one of these days…I need to tackle Leviticus, lol. I’ve got Genesis and Exodus covered, though.

 

[notself]

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

It is a very common practice for Muslims to memorize the Qur’an and it is 400 pages long. There are many websites that give tips on how to do it.

Many non-Catholic Christians memorize large sections of the Bible. I remember kids in High School quizzing each other with flash cards of Biblical passages.

Why is it so difficult for the average Catholic to read the bible? It is only about 1,400 pages long. It may take several weeks,if you are really busy with work and kids, but it certainly is no big chore. I would think it would be important to do so.

Am I missing something?

 

[Charlie_Zeaiter]

Hi notself,

The average person, including the average catholic, wouldn’t understand the whole bible.

Sure, everybody should read the four gospels, and probably St Paul’s letters and maybe even the whole New Testament (except Revelations which is too cryptic).

But the Old Testament is difficult to read, and the average person won’t see the parallels with the New Testament.

The whole bible should not be read on your own, but rather with an experienced bible study group.

 

[notself]

Hi notself,

The average person, including the average catholic, wouldn’t understand the whole bible.

Sure, everybody should read the four gospels, and probably St Paul’s letters and maybe even the whole New Testament (except Revelations which is too cryptic).

But the Old Testament is difficult to read, and the average person won’t see the parallels with the New Testament.

The whole bible should not be read on your own, but rather with an experienced bible study group.

A good Catholic Bible has excellent footnotes to explain passages in both the Old and New Testaments. There are also books available to help a Catholic study privately or to prepare for a study group. Good suggestion, by the way.

One book that I recommend is A Practical Commentary on Holy Scripture by Bishop Frederick Justus Knecht, D.D. Each section starts with scripture and explanations of particular words and phrases. Then the author elucidates the Catholic doctrines that are contained in the scripture.

I find that the average person is capable of understanding complex things if they are presented in a coherent manner. I think that this book does just that. I am sure there are other equally good commentaries available.