Posted on 12/18/2014 5:00:17 PM PST by Salvation
The bottom line argument or disagreement is that almost all Evangelicals take the Bible literally and do not have a magisterium to interpret scripture when the verses can have different meanings to different literate and intelligent readers. Even with their “literal” readings there is often no consensus among preachers what a given verse may mean. Narrow interpretations often put evangelists in conflict with apparent scientific realities.
The Catholic Church from the beginning accepted Scripture more as a divine inspired historical narrative which also revealed God’s love and relationship with mankind. It was edited from the beginning. Most of the current Bible was assembled after much debate and prayer at gatherings in the 3rd and 4th century. The writings and documents of St. Jerome and others that would have been informative were lost at Rome in the 5th century.
It has always been the position of the Catholic Church that it was founded by Jesus Christ, who promised to be with it until the end of time. It believes that its teachings and pronouncements are inspired by the Holy Spirit. Those pronouncements and teachings regarding Scripture and other spiritual matters matters are believed to be free of doctrinal error. While Bible reading is not discouraged, it is felt that misinterpretations by the reader can lead to perdition and a fall from grace. For instance the misinterpretation of the “separation of the races” and slavery references which was used by many preachers to justify slavery and racism. When those readings of the Old and New Testament are read at mass, the priest’s sermon will often explain and explore the theme of the Scriptures in the context of Catholic teaching.
Detractors and critics of the Catholic Church usually rage at the human shortcomings of the clergy at all levels. Some are repelled by the use of religious imagery and symbolism. Some have fundamental doctrinal disputes. Catholics refer to them as heretics but do not excommunicate them from the mystical body of Christ. Catholic doctrine teaches that if they are well meaning, deeply and legitimately believe their tenets, do no actual harm to others, then while they are not Catholics they have experienced what the Church calls a “baptism of desire.” However with the exception of a few Protestant sects and almost no Evangelicals, most detractict Protestants do not think Catholics can be saved.
“If you believe that the core of evangelization is the Word, then you need to make the Word front and center.”
The Word is not limited to that which is written. Sheen knew that too.
As far as I can tell, at time of your having submitted the above comment, there could not have been any "Catholic bashers" prior, for the only comments other than your own, were from two persons, one of which you addressed in comment -- and the other individual having highlighted some textual information from the article itself (in italics) and then added to that information gleaned from United States Conference of Catholic Bishops website.
How does the article itself "bash" (Roman) Catholics?
Do the RCC bishops who make up USCCB -- bash "Catholics"?
Wait...don't answer that last one (hehheheh)
I had 4 years of religion classes in my Catholic H.S., and never once was there any studying of the Bible. But we thoroughly covered Papal encyclicals and church traditions.
I've noticed that our girls' catechism does include "Bible Study" time now, but only once a month or something. The protestant VBSs they occasionally attend do pile it on, though.
Catholics memorize prayers. Not Bible verses.
We didn't. I can't really remember what we did.
Our Father - Luke 11:1-4
Hail Mary - Luke 1:28, 1:42-43
Glory Be (a doxology) - 1 Chron 29:11, Phil 4:20, 2 Cor 13:14
Just a few to think about.
I've heard they can be downright stubborn!
After dinner, they asked us if we wanted to play Bible Trivia. We said yeah. We started to play and we began to answer some really tough questions. Pretty soon it was obvious that we were winning hands down.
All of us were surprised that the Catholics won.
I may not be able to tell you what Chapter and Verse where something may be, but can tell you its meaning.
I am a Roman Catholic and I will testify that the most fulfillment I get from reading the Bible is to sit down and read Proverbs, Psalms and Sirach.
Post numbers please.
I attend Bible studies weekly with a local nun who founded her order. She teaches theology at the local Catholic high school and numerous Bible studies in the area. I don’t like to miss them, but she does make CDs of each class so we can make them up if we miss. She, also, has posted most books of the Bible on line, too.
I, also, use scripture for prayer. Interesting the take the author of this article has to point out that we pray a lot of scripture at each mass. I have been to protestant funeral services that barely mentioned God, let alone scripture. Yet, they criticize Catholics like this? Laughable.
I see scripture quotes around and will often look them up and read the entire chapter, just for context. Only a fool believes this silly rumor that Catholics do not read or know their Bible. Fools repeating rumors. That’s all it is.
Which translated means.....
There really is no one who has ever done that. I was just throwing it out there hoping something would stick.
So all you're left with is unsubstantiated accusations.
Doesn't your Bible have the commandment in it about not bearing false witness?
You can google the daily mass readings for the Catholics. We have daily mass and scripture readings as well as on Sundays. They are available on line and are posted here on FR daily. Open your eyes and check it out.
Hey you got in before the Catholic bashers.
Hey, you got in along side your fellow bashing Catholics!
Since I've been going to daily Mass for decades, I can say that I've heard the same three-year cycle of Bible readings many, many times and I am always inspired by them.
Jesus' words are manna from heaven.
One of my favorite readings is from Matthew 11:29-30
29 "Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and YOU WILL FIND REST FOR YOUR SOULS.
30 For My yoke is easy and My burden is light."
We had that Gospel recently.
As for YOU, you are always right on the mark, pertinent and crystal clear.
Hmmm, I find myself singing the psalm that I heard on Sunday for the rest of the week. So while I may not know which chapter and verse I am singing, I remember the words. I don’t guess that matters to Protestants though, because I don’t remember which psalm it is.
Maybe this is one reason why I feel “at home” in the Lutheran church, for we have the best of both worlds.
Like Catholic worship, Scripture fills the Lutheran service: OT reading, Psalm, Epistle, Gospel, and all the liturgy which comes right out of Scripture.
At the same time, Lutheran “sola Scriptura” doctrine provides a basis for home Bible study, corporate Bible study in Sunday school, personal Bible reading, an immersion in the Scriptures as much as one would get in a Baptist or Assembly of God church.
We live by the Scripture, and we also worship by the Scripture. Soli Deo Gloria!
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