Posted on 02/05/2014 8:25:43 PM PST by Alamo-Girl
Rediscovering the riches of Scripture
A revolution has taken place in the Roman Catholic Church’s understanding of the Bible. As a result, the life and mission of the church have been transformed. Biblical stories and themes formerly unknown have become familiar. This is a relatively recent phenomenon. While the Protestant Reformation in the 16th century championed biblically based preaching and teaching (sola scriptura), the Roman Church focused on traditional doctrine and insisted that its leaders alone were authorized to interpret the Bible. It was not until Pius XII’s encyclical “Divino Afflante Spiritu” (“On Promoting the Study of Sacred Scripture,” 1943) that a dramatic change in church teaching on the Bible was launched. Considered the Magna Carta of the biblical movement, this document inaugurated a new era in Catholic life.
The Second Vatican Council spearheaded a marvelous revitalizing of the Bible in the church. Many of the council participants frequently attended private lectures given by prominent biblical scholars. The Book of the Gospels was solemnly enthroned at the beginning of many general sessions. In 1965, “Dei Verbum” (“The Dogmatic Constitution on Divine Revelation”) opened the door to critical approaches to biblical interpretation. It was almost as if the Bible had been rediscovered, and those engaged in Bible study found new meaning in their religious tradition. The study of the Bible became exciting, and this excitement responded to a profound hunger in the people of God for the word of God. In a matter of decades, the hundreds of years of unfamiliarity with the Bible were quickly spanned and many Roman Catholics became as biblically astute as their Protestant sisters and brothers.
(Excerpt) Read more at americamagazine.org ...
Thought y’all might be interested in this one.
Thanks.
**It was almost as if the Bible had been rediscovered, and those engaged in Bible study found new meaning in their religious tradition. The study of the Bible became exciting, and this excitement responded to a profound hunger in the people of God for the word of God. In a matter of decades, the hundreds of years of unfamiliarity with the Bible were quickly spanned and many Roman Catholics became as biblically astute as their Protestant sisters and brothers.**
This has been very exciting and has been a process, so to speak. First, introducing individuals to the Bible — just being able to locate them in the Bible!
This was done through looking at the three readings for the upcoming Sunday (and it’s still happening that way.)
Then more was introduced by the priest and pastoral assistant.
Next Bible Study groups took off like wildfire. We had three groups using one series, and now have another women’s study, a teen study, a men’s study, and a young adult study going on. So we are growing and will be grateful to our non-Catholic brothers and sisters who showed us the way!
bookmark
Bookmarked.
**Return to the Old Testament**
Another thing that has blossomed is typology. Tying the Old Testament to it’s fulfillment in the New Testament. Is this common in your Bible Studies too?
(Excerpt) Read more at americamagazine.org ...
PFL
Catholic Ping!
Yes, indeed! No matter how much we read the Scriptures, there is always a new layer, a new connection, another insight. Truly, the words of God are spirit and life (John 6:63).
We must trust in the Word, and allow the same to do the work.
So He humbled you, allowed you to hunger, and fed you with manna which you did not know nor did your fathers know, that He might make you know that man shall not live by bread alone; but man lives by every word that proceeds from the mouth of the Lord.
At risk of possibly seeming to leap, or jump to other;
Then Peter said, Silver and gold have I none; but such as I have give I thee: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth rise up and walk.
In context (from context?) of that entire chapter, and how that can apply, it is not a leap, but continuance of that which went before...
And to continue on one of those branches:
Give us this day our daily bread. – Matt 6:11
I am that bread of life. – John 6:48
It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, [they] are spirit, and [they] are life. - John 6:63
So then faith [cometh] by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. - Romans 10:17
My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me: - John 10:27
This is a good thing. Five hundred years to come around is a bit long, but better late than never.
Now, about those criticisms of the Protestant Reformation.........
Seems to have let the air out of many of them.
Hebrews 4:12 For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart.
One of the things that's truly amazing about reading the Bible is how you can read a passage for years, or even decades, be thoroughly familiar with it, and then the Holy oSpirit gives you some new insight to it and you have one of those *Aha!* moments and wonder how you missed something so obvious for so long.
With an infinite God, there's ALWAYS something new to discover about Him.
It sure keeps it from getting dull.
Oh! And thanks for the ping.....
Well what a lovely positive and particularly God centered post this has turned out to be - not what the Religion Forum is particularly noted for - You’ll be given a free pass just this once! LOL
Seriously though I had given up reading most Religion threads. I’m glad I clicked on this one!
With an infinite God, there's ALWAYS something new to discover about Him.
Anyone who steals a Bible needs it more than I do and I would hope that they get some benefit from it.
It’s hard to complain about someone stealing THAT.
LOLOL! I’m so glad you came by, dear melsec!
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