How to Read the Bible – A Three Step Plan (written for Catholics - valid for all)

taylormarshall.com ^ | September 30, 2013 | Dr. Taylor Marshall

[Alex Murphy]

I have said repeatedly that it is absolutely impossible to have an intelligent discussion about theology/ religion/ Jesus with a protestant.

How do your protestant friends react when you tell them that?

[NYer]

I don't think Bible reading should be "chiefly" a community experience.

Agreed!! The great challenge for us catholics, however, is to encourage, lead, incite, "light a fire", to draw catholics into daily reading of scripture. Remarkably, those in the forefront of this movement are converts to the Catholic faith, like Dr. Scott Hahn.

The truth is simply that Catholics and Evangelicals use the Bible in different ways and therefore have different kinds of Bible knowledge. Evangelicals use the Bible as a source book for doctrine and right moral teaching, and that’s good. 2 Timothy 3.16 says the Scriptures are ‘useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness.’ Evangelicals also use the Bible for personal devotions and inspiration. This too is Biblical. Psalm 119.27 says, ‘Let me understand the teaching of your precepts; then will I meditate on your wonders.’

Ordinary Catholics might not be so adept at quoting chapter and verse, but they do know and use Scripture regularly. Its just that they use it in a different way. For a Catholic, Scripture is not so much a book to be studied as a book to worship with. (Ps. 119.7) For Catholics the Bible is almost always used in the context of worship. Did you know that a survey was done to check the amount of Scripture used in the Catholic Mass? The Catholic service was almost 30% Scripture. When the same writer checked his local Bible-based Evangelical church he was surprised to find the total amount of Scripture read took just 3% of the service.

[aMorePerfectUnion]

“Evangelicals use the Bible as a source book for doctrine and right moral teaching, and that’s good.”

And the only legitimate base of truth for doctrine.

“2 Timothy 3.16 says the Scriptures are ‘useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness.’ Evangelicals also use the Bible for personal devotions and inspiration. This too is Biblical. Psalm 119.27 says, ‘Let me understand the teaching of your precepts; then will I meditate on your wonders.’”

All excellent and EVERY Christian should do the same - regardless of where they worship.

“Ordinary Catholics might not be so adept at quoting chapter and verse”

Or knowing what it teaches - regardless if they can quote references.

“but they do know and use Scripture regularly.”

It is rare. They do hear a portion of it. Use it? Know it? Some. I’ve rarely interacted with a Roman Catholic here who knows the Scripture well. Most often, they copy and paste from Catholic websites - not understanding the logical fallacies in what they copy and paste.

“Its just that they use it in a different way. For a Catholic, Scripture is not so much a book to be studied as a book to worship with. (Ps. 119.7) For Catholics the Bible is almost always used in the context of worship.”

And yet the verses you quoted above indicate and command an additional practice.

“Did you know that a survey was done to check the amount of Scripture used in the Catholic Mass? The Catholic service was almost 30% Scripture. When the same writer checked his local Bible-based Evangelical church he was surprised to find the total amount of Scripture read took just 3% of the service.”

Having grown up in the Catholic Church as an alter boy, and then having attended thousands of Church services in a number of non Roman churches after I came to Christ, I can tell you that the generalization you quote is not accurate. Each church included teaching through the entirety of Scripture, week by week, verse by verse, chapter by chapter - expounding the truth God has revealed in every book - and not just quoting a few passages over and over.

Not to mention the heartfelt and enthusiastic singing to God through music, instead of mumbling that was evident in the handful of Roman Churches I attended (4 or 5).

It isn’t about Catholic vs. Protestant. It is about God the Father and Jesus Christ our Savior. May we all turn our eyes and hearts to Him and love Him with all our hearts, all our minds and all our strength.

[Alex Murphy]

Did you know that a survey was done to check the amount of Scripture used in the Catholic Mass? The Catholic service was almost 30% Scripture

I did the survey. 30% of the mass may be Scripture, but only 27.5% of Scripture is covered by mass in three years, at which point the readings stop and repeat themselves.

"Ignorance of the Scriptures is ignorance of Christ" indeed!

[HarleyD]

If all one wants is two to three minutes a day with God, then that is the amount of time God will give them. You can’t understand God in that short of time.

[bubbacluck]

he was surprised to find the total amount of Scripture read took just 3% of the service

The scripture actually read in our services is probably less than 3% but the time spent in the Word teaching is easily two thirds of the time spent in church.

The 3% is a deceptive statistic.

[ADSUM]

Here is a link to a Catholic Bible online New Advent:

http://www.newadvent.org/bible/gen001.htm

Easy to read.

A bishop on the radio said that there is a need to read and reread the Bible to absorb the message and let it become part of you. Let the Holy Spirit inspire you.

[aMorePerfectUnion]

"I did the survey. 30% of the mass may be Scripture, but only 27.5% of Scripture is covered by mass in three years, at which point the readings stop and repeat themselves. "

The simple fact that 73 1/2% of God's Word is never covered in Mass is a fantastic reason for every Roman Christian to read the Bible on his or her own regularly, devotionally, thoroughly.

[Alex Murphy]

If all one wants is two to three minutes a day with God, then that is the amount of time God will give them. You can’t understand God in that short of time.

Great point, Harley!

[Rashputin]

Joe Catholic says to himself, “Why should I study the Bible? I go to Mass. I hear it there. Check and check.”

"There is something beautiful in this. For Catholics, Bible reading is liturgical. Hence, Bible reading remains chiefly a community experience."

That’s an excellent point. Since becoming Catholic I've noticed that in a Bible Study group or just talking about something with a couple of people, the most common response to someone citing a verse isn't someone citing another verse to agree or disagree, it's someone citing the homily they heard when the portion of Scripture containing that verse was read at Mass along with relationships to other Scripture and teaching the homily pointed out.

That sort of connection to a portion of Scripture and an explanation of the Scripture is no doubt why the good Lord led Paul to write,

Romans 10:17 Faith then cometh by hearing; and hearing by the word of Christ.

Hearing of faith, that means people telling what their faith means to them, how faith changed their life, and comforted them during the trials common to man.

With tens of thousands of different groups, each one teaching a slightly different interpretation they claim is the only correct interpretation. along with probably millions of individuals who make the same claim, understanding His Word as explained by the Apostles is the only way to be sure we really understand His Word as Christ intended it to be understood.

We absolutely should read the Scriptures daily and will be blessed for doing so. But personal reading of Scripture is no substitute for hearing His Word along with the clarifications and perspective we receive at Mass along with the body and blood of Christ.

II Peter3:14 Wherefore, dearly beloved, waiting for these things, be diligent that you may be found before him unspotted and blameless in peace,
II Peter3:15 And account the longsuffering of our Lord, salvation ; as also our most dear brother Paul, according to the wisdom given him, hath written to you :
II Peter3:16 As also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things ;
in which are certain things hard to be understood, which the unlearned and unstable wrest, as they do also the other scriptures, to their own destruction.
II Peter3:17 You therefore, brethren, knowing these things before, take heed, lest being led aside by the error of the unwise; you fall from your own steadfastness.
II Peter3:18 But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and unto the day of eternity. Amen.

We shouldn’t ever limit ourselves to reading His Word at Mass but reading His Word and relying only on our own understanding without knowing how the Apostles interpreted and taught His Word can and often does lead people to becoming reliant on their Self and Self Alone rather than to a closer relationship with Christ.

I Corinthians 1:23 But we preach Christ crucified, unto the Jews indeed a stumblingblock, and unto the Gentiles foolishness :
I Corinthians 1:24 But unto them that are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God, and the wisdom of God.

[Alex Murphy]

With tens of thousands of different groups, each one teaching a slightly different interpretation they claim is the only correct interpretation. along with probably millions of individuals who make the same claim, understanding His Word as explained by the Apostles is the only way to be sure we really understand His Word as Christ intended it to be understood.

And what did the Apostles give us to explain the Scriptures? Other Scriptures, maybe?

Unless this or that church is hiding a new gospel or epistle or some such thing, what the Apostles wrote is what we get, unless someone wants to elevate something "clearer" above the Scriptures, to "better explain" the Scriptures.

[Old Yeller]

Why does the Catholic religion include the Apocryphal books in their version of the Bible?

The word "apocrypha" means "of questionable authenticity." These are called non canonical books because when the canon of Scriptures (the sixty six books of the Old and New Testaments) was accepted by the early Christians they recognized that these books contained spurious material and therefore were not inspired of God. Other names for these books are "hidden" or "deuterocanonical" books. These books are also called "pseudepigraphal", meaning "false writings" to designate them as spurious and unauthentic books of the late centuries B. C. and early centuries A. D. These books contain religious folklore and have never been considered inspired of God by biblical Christians from the earliest times of churches.

In a nutshell, the Roman Catholic church has never had any biblical support for its teachings such as purgatory, prayers for the dead, works for salvation, etc. The events of the Reformation brought the Roman Catholic heresies into question and they had not scriptural authority for teachings. However, these false teachings are found in the Apocryphal books, so the Council of Tent in 1546, canonized them proclaiming them to be "sacred" books. This ruse gave them support for there erroneous teachings. It is always the clear mark of a cult or false church to add extra biblical revelations to the Bible in order to seek to justify their false teachings. Historically, the Roman Catholic church did not accept these books for the first 1300 years of their history. Clearly, the reason they changed their position was that during the Reformation the teachings of Catholicism came under scrutiny by people who were studying God's word, they could find no mention in the Bible of a place called Purgatory, prayers for the dead, paying of indulgences and other practices of the Roman church.

The Apocryphal books themselves show they are not inspired of God and mostly fictional works. They have never been truly accepted by biblical Christians as part of God's word. The Roman Church practice of accepting of money, called "indulgences" for the payment of sins especially came under attack as being unbiblical. History shows that accepting indulgences brought a great deal of money into the coffers of the Roman Catholic Church. A Roman Catholic could actually purchase a indulgence in advance and then go out an commit his sin.

It was this unbiblical practice that was one of the reasons that Martin Luther wrote his "Ninety-five Thesis" and tacked it to the door of the Wittenburg church door. His action sparked the Reformation which began in 1517 which was the also the beginning of Protestantism. There is a statement found in 2 Maccabees 12:43-45, which says "2,000 pieces of silver were sent to Jerusalem for a sin-offering...Whereupon he made reconciliation for the dead, that they might be delivered from sin." On this brief statement the Roman Catholic church has hung its teachings of Purgatory and paying for indulgences for payment of sins.

However, nowhere in God's word is there found any mention of a prayer or a sin offering for the dead. Hebrews 9:27 says "And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment" (Hebrews 9:27. In God's word, there is no place called Purgatory or any prayers offered for dead men. When a man dies his fate is sealed. If a man is a believer, he as a child of God, goes to heaven, if he is a lost man he will go to hell. There is no second chance after death. Paul clearly states that a Christian goes immediately into the presence of God when he dies, "We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord." (2 Corinthians 5:8) The false doctrines, historical, cultural, and scientific error, which are contrary to the teachings of the sixty six books of the Bible, show the Apocryphal books are not inspired of God. The inclusion of the Apocrypha in the original printing of the King James Bible strictly for historical reasons. They were included like the materials in many of our modern Bibles for reference. These books were written during the Inter-testamental period between the Old and New Testaments. They contained for example the books of 1st and 2nd Maccabees which record the of rebellion of the Jews against Syria leading to Roman occupation of Israel during the time of Christ. During this 400 year period many changes occurred among the Jews such as the beginning of worship in synagogues, the rise of the sects of the Pharisees and Sadducee's, the rabbinical writings of the Talmud, etc.

[Heart-Rest]

Went to Daily Mass in a small chapel in a nearby church today, and, during his homily, the priest held up a big fat book, and said it was the Bible commentary written by St. Jerome, which the priest had used extensively in his seminary training, and still uses and recommends to everyone.    This priest is a pretty funny guy, and as he held up the book next to his face, he said he looked just like the guy whose picture was on the front cover of that book.    (It was that same painting of St. Jerome you included up there at the top of this thread.)

Now, you have to understand that this Associate Pastor at that church is from Nigeria, and he has very dark skin, and absolutely no beard.

He got a big laugh for that line today!     :-)

(I personally think that in that portrait, St. Jerome looks a bit more like one of those "Duck Dynasty" guys you see all over the place these days -- what do you think?)

(By the way, do you think the Catholics who actually wrote all the "books" of the New Testament knew the Bible pretty well?    How about St. Jerome?)

I have to go do something else right now (my Bible study and prayers), so in the unlikely event that this post generates any feedback, I'll let you handle it.     :-)

Goodnight!

[verga]

How do your protestant friends react when you tell them that?

I should have added in these forums, but thank you for proving my point.

[Rashputin]

"Why does the Catholic religion include the Apocryphal books in their version of the Bible?"

Contortionist rants aside, the answer is obvious to anyone not whistling past the graveyard.

Those books were included in the most widely available, most commonly used, Greek version of the Scriptures when Jesus Christ Himself incarnate taught on earth, quoted from several of them, and never once implied in any way they had any lesser status than other Scripture.

Nor did any of the Apostles who also quoted from some of those books ever, in any way, imply those books had any lesser or different status than other Scripture.

Of course, those who prefer the authority of anti-Christ, anti-Christian, Pharisees to the authority of both Jesus Christ Himself and all of the Apostles are free to argue that anti-Christ, anti-Christian, Pharisees who could not possibly have had any legitimate authority comparable to that which had been granted to those who accepted the Septuagint in the first place, are the proper authorities to obey rather than Jesus Christ.

The alternatives are to either argue that Scripture was unimportant to Christ and the Apostles and is therefore unimportant to this day, or to accept the same Scriptures Jesus Christ accepted.

Personally, I side with Jesus Christ in these matters and accept the canon as it was for several hundred years prior to His birth and never questioned by Christ Himself.

[verga]

The difference is that we choose not to wield it as a club.

[aMorePerfectUnion]

“The difference is that we choose not to wield it as a club.”

No, that is a cutting remark that comes across as a club.

Better all should worship God, seek him in His Word and love Him with all their heart, mind and soul.

[Rashputin]

Well, they sometimes would have used the same Scriptures Protestants advocate throwing in the garbage so obviously there is a way to preach and teach without relying on His Word alone or Protestants wouldn’t cavalierly throw portions of Holy Scripture in the garbage.

[verga]

Did you know that a survey was done to check the amount of Scripture used in the Catholic Mass? The Catholic service was almost 30% Scripture

Only someone that had never been to a Catholic Mass would believe this malarkey.

Scripture in the order of the mass

Nearly everything we say at mass has its roots in Sacred Scripture. This guide will help you if anyone you know is in doubt about that. Catholics quote scripture all the time, and their actions are deeply scriptural. After all, scripture flowed out of the early Church. The Church came first, the New Testament and the canon of scripture second.

Greeting

Priest: In the Name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. (Matt. 28:19)

People: Amen (1 Chr 16:36)

Priest: The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all. (2 Cor 13:13)

People: And with your spirit.

Liturgy of the Word

Penitential Rite

All: I confess to almighty God and to you, my brothers and sisters, that I have greatly sinned, (Jas 5:16) in my thoughts and in my words (Jas 3:6) in what I have done and in what I have failed to do, (Rom. 12:16) through my fault, through my fault, through my most grievous fault; therefore I ask blessed Mary ever-Virgin, all the Angels and Saints, and you, my brothers and sisters, to pray for me to the Lord our God.(1Thess 5:25)

Priest: May almighty God have mercy on us, forgive us our sins, and bring us to everlasting life. (1 John 1:9)

People: Amen (1 Chr 16:36)

All: Lord have mercy. (Tb 8:4) Christ have mercy. (1 Tim 1:2) Lord have mercy.

Gloria

All: Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to people of good will. (Luke 2:14)We praise you, we bless you, we adore you, we glorify you,we give you thanks for your great glory, (Rev 7:12)Lord God, heavenly King, O God, almighty Father (Rev 19:6)Lord Jesus Christ, Only Begotten Son, (2 John 3)Lord God, Lamb of God, Son of the Father,you take away the sins of the world, have mercy on us; (John 1:29)you take away the sins of the world, receive our prayer;you are seated at the right hand of the Father, have mercy on us. (Rom 8:34)For you alone are the Holy One, (Luke 4:34)you alone are the Lord, you alone are the Most High, Jesus Christ, (Luke 1:32)with the Holy Spirit, in the glory of God the Father, Amen (John 14:26)

[The Liturgy of the Word consists of four readings from Scripture: the first is typically from the Old Testament, the second a psalm, followed by a reading from one of the epistles. Finally, the Gospel is proclaimed during which the people stand out of respect for the Word. The chosen readings change daily.]A Sermon on the readings follows. (2 Tim 4:1-2) Profession of Faith All: I believe in one God, the Father Almighty, maker of heaven and earth, (Gen 14:19) of all things visible and invisible. (Col 1:16) I believe in one Lord Jesus Christ, the only Begotten Son of God, (Luke 1:35) born of the Father before all ages, God from God, Light from Light, True God from True God, begotten not made, consubstantial with the Father; (Heb 1:3) through him all things were made. (John 1:2-3) For us men and for our salvation he came down from heaven: (John 3:13) and by the power of the Holy Spirit he was incarnate of the Virgin Mary, (Matt 1:18) and became man. For our sake he was crucified under Pontius Pilate, (John 19:16) he suffered death and was buried, and rose again on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures. (1 Cor 15:3-4) He ascended into heaven (Luke 24:51) and is seated at the right hand of the Father. (Col 3:1) He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead (2 Tim 4:1) and his kingdom will have no end. (Luke 1:33) I believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of Life, (Acts 2:17) who proceeds from the Father and the Son, (John 14:16) who with the Father and Son is worshiped and glorified. He has spoken through the prophets. (1 Peter 1:10-11) I believe in one holy, catholic and apostolic Church. (Rom 12:5) I confess one baptism for the forgiveness of sins (Acts 2:38) and I look forward to the resurrection of the dead and the life of the world to come. (Rom 6:5) Amen

Liturgy of the Eucharist

[The gifts are brought to the altar. These include the bread and wine and the offering collected from the people.] (Malachi 3:10)

Priest: Blessed are you, Lord, God of all creation. Through your goodness we have this bread to offer, which earth has given and human hands have made. (Eccl. 3:13) It will become for us the bread of life. (John 6:35)

People: Blessed be God forever. (Ps 68:36)

Priest: Blessed are you, Lord, God of all creation. Through your goodness we have this wine to offer, fruit of the vine and work of human hands. It will become our spiritual drink. (Luke 22:17-18)

People: Blessed be God forever. (Ps 68:36)

Priest: Pray, brethren, that our sacrifice may be acceptable to God, the almighty Father. (Heb. 12:28)

People: May the Lord accept the sacrifice at your hands for the praise and glory of his name, for our sake and the good of all his holy Church. (Ps 50:23)

Priest: The Lord be with you.

People: And with your spirit.

Priest: Lift up your hearts.

People: We lift them up to the Lord. (Lam 3:41)

Priest: Let us give thanks to the Lord our God. (Col 3:17)

People: It is right and just. (Col 1:3)

Preface Acclamation

All: Holy, holy, holy Lord, God of hosts. Heaven and earth are full of your glory. (Is 6:3) Hosanna in the highest. Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord. Hosanna in the highest. (Mark 11:9-10)

Eucharistic prayer [There are four of these, based on ancient prayers of the Church.

Eucharistic Prayer Two follows as an example:]

Priest: You are Holy indeed, O Lord the fount of all holiness. (2 Macc. 14:36) Make holy, therefore, these gifts, we pray, by sending down your Spirit upon them like the dewfall, so that they may become the body and blood of our Lord Jesus Christ. At the time he was betrayed and entered willingly into his Passion (John 10:17-18) he took bread and, giving thanks, broke it, and gave it to his disciples, saying: Take this all of you, and eat of it: For this is my body which will be given up for you. In a similar way, when supper was ended, he took the chalice and, once more giving thanks, he gave the it to his disciples, saying: Take this, all of you, and drink from it: For this is the chalice of my blood, the blood of the new and eternal covenant. Which will be poured out for you and for many for the forgiveness of sins. Do this is memory of me. (Mark 14:22-25) Let us proclaim the mystery of faith.

All: When we eat this Bread and drink this Cup, we proclaim your Death, O Lord, until you come again. (1Cor 11:26)

Priest: Therefore, as we celebrate the memorial of his Death and Resurrection, we offer you, Lord, the Bread of life and the Chalice of salvation, (John 6:51) giving thanks that you have held us worthy to be in your presence and minister to you. Humbly we pray that, partaking of the Body and Blood of Christ, we may be gathered into one by the Holy Spirit. (1 Cor.10:17) Remember, Lord, your Church spread throughout the world; bring her to the fullness of charity, together with our Pope and our bishop, and all the clergy. Remember our brothers and sisters who have fallen asleep and all who have died in your mercy: welcome them into the light of your face. (2 Macc 12:45-46) Have mercy on us all, we pray, that with the blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of God, with the apostles and with all the saints who have pleased you throughout the ages, may we merit to be co-heirs to eternal life, and may praise and glorify you through your Son, Jesus Christ. (2 Thes 1:4-5) Through him, with him, in him, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, all glory and honor is yours, almighty Father, for ever and ever.

All: Amen. (Rom 11:36)

Communion Rite

The Lord's Prayer:

All: Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. (Matt 6:9-13)

Priest: Deliver us, Lord, we pray, from every evil, graciously grant peace in our days that by the help of your mercy, we may be always free from sin and safe from all distress, as we await the blessed hope and the coming of our Saviour, Jesus Christ. (John 17:15)

All: For the kingdom the power and the glory are yours, now and forever. Amen

Priest: Lord Jesus Christ, you said to your apostles; I leave you peace, my peace I give to you. (John 14:27) Look not on our sins, but on the faith of your Church, and grant us the peace and unity of your kingdom where you live forever and ever.

Priest: The peace of the Lord be with you always! (John 20:19)

People: And with your spirit!

[The priest then directs the people to exchange a sign, such as a handshake or a kiss, or a word of God's peace to one another.]

Breaking of the Bread

All: Lamb of God, you take away the sins of the world: have mercy on us. Lamb of God, you take away the sins of the world: have mercy on us. Lamb of God, you take away the sins of the world, grant us peace. (John 1:29)

Communion

Priest: Behold the Lamb of God, behold him who takes away the sins of the world. Blessed are those who are called to the supper of the Lamb. (Rev. 19:9)

People: Lord, I am not worthy that you should enter under my roof, but only say the word and my soul shall be healed. (Matt 8:8)

[Communion is distributed to the faithful at the altar by the priest and lay ministers.]

Dismissal

Priest: Blessed be the name of the Lord. Now and forever. (Dan 2:20) May almighty God bless you, the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. (Luke 24:51) Go in peace (Luke 7:50) to love and serve the Lord. (2 Chr 35:3)[During the blessing the people make the Sign of the Cross, the traditional sign of the baptized and a public sign of their belief in the power of God.]

People: Thanks be to God. (2 Cor 9:15)

[Alex Murphy]

NYer: Did you know that a survey was done to check the amount of Scripture used in the Catholic Mass? The Catholic service was almost 30% Scripture

verga: Only someone that had never been to a Catholic Mass would believe this malarkey.

Ouch.