Catholics, The Bible, Devotions, and Protestants

Akita Suggagaki · Saturday at 5:10 PM

For centuries it seems that most Catholics only had exposure to the Bible at Mass. that was probably true of everyone but priests and religious until the reformation. then we parted ways with Protestants translating the Bible into most languages and leading the way in modern scholarship while most Catholics were prating the rosary, litanies and other pious forms of prayer. But where are we now? Have we caught up with our Protestant brothers and sisters in scripture knowledge and appreciation?

"Scripture awareness grew after the Second Vatican Council. Mass was celebrated in the vernacular and so the Scripture readings at Mass were read entirely in English. Adult faith formation programs began to develop, and the most common program run at a parish focused on Scripture study. " I think we have made a come back. The popularity of Divine Office has helped also, at least Morning and Evening Prayer. These days, with the internet, there is nothing stopping anyone to go deep into scripture study.

Changes in Catholic Attitudes Toward Bible Readings

By Msgr. Daniel Kutys Average Catholics asked today how often they read the Bible likely would say that they do not read the Bible regularly. However, if a...

www.usccb.org

chevyontheriver · Saturday at 9:40 PM

Akita Suggagaki said:
For centuries it seems that most Catholics only had exposure to the Bible at Mass. that was probably true of everyone but priests and religious until the reformation. then we parted ways with Protestants translating the Bible into most languages and leading the way in modern scholarship while most Catholics were prating the rosary, litanies and other pious forms of prayer. But where are we now? Have we caught up with our Protestant brothers and sisters in scripture knowledge and appreciation?

"Scripture awareness grew after the Second Vatican Council. Mass was celebrated in the vernacular and so the Scripture readings at Mass were read entirely in English. Adult faith formation programs began to develop, and the most common program run at a parish focused on Scripture study. " I think we have made a come back. The popularity of Divine Office has helped also, at least Morning and Evening Prayer. These days, with the internet, there is nothing stopping anyone to go deep into scripture study.

Changes in Catholic Attitudes Toward Bible Readings

By Msgr. Daniel Kutys Average Catholics asked today how often they read the Bible likely would say that they do not read the Bible regularly. However, if a...

www.usccb.org

As to having 'caught up' we have to remember that the average Protestant has never been that Biblically literate to begin with. Sure, there were those who were serious about the Bible, but most really were not. Catholics were never that far behind. It's been more a matter of a different approach, with Catholics hearing a lot of Scripture rather than reading it.

We might have a bit of the best of both worlds now, at least for those Catholics who regularly darken the door of their parish. That's less and less people.

Bob Crowley · Sunday at 5:05 AM

When it comes to scholastic study of the Bible, I think the Catholic Church is just as competent as their Protestant compatriots. Catholic academics would be just as well versed in Scriptural studies and criticism as anybody else.

But in the case of lay Catholics, I think the Protestants would still be more familiar with Scripture. In my experience (at my wife's Baptist church for example) they tend to use the Scripture reading in the Church service in an almost bullet point fashion.

Whereas the Catholic Church homilies I've heard don't pin point the reading verse by verse. In any case the Catholic mass has four readings each time, whereas in my experience (again), the Protestants tend to focus on one.

In the academic world I think Catholic scholars and religious are just as well informed as their Protestant brethren, but not quite so much for the laity.

That's what I think anyway.

fide · Sunday at 5:38 AM

Akita Suggagaki said:
For centuries it seems that most Catholics only had exposure to the Bible at Mass. that was probably true of everyone but priests and religious until the reformation. then we parted ways with Protestants translating the Bible into most languages and leading the way in modern scholarship while most Catholics were prating the rosary, litanies and other pious forms of prayer. But where are we now? Have we caught up with our Protestant brothers and sisters in scripture knowledge and appreciation?

"Scripture awareness grew after the Second Vatican Council. Mass was celebrated in the vernacular and so the Scripture readings at Mass were read entirely in English. Adult faith formation programs began to develop, and the most common program run at a parish focused on Scripture study. " I think we have made a come back. The popularity of Divine Office has helped also, at least Morning and Evening Prayer. These days, with the internet, there is nothing stopping anyone to go deep into scripture study.

Changes in Catholic Attitudes Toward Bible Readings

By Msgr. Daniel Kutys Average Catholics asked today how often they read the Bible likely would say that they do not read the Bible regularly. However, if a...

www.usccb.org

"Bible Study" is not always a good thing. It can produce a "biblical literacy" that has nothing to do with Eternal Life except to obscure it. Jesus's encounters with the "scripture scholars" of HIs day were harsh and accurate:

"You search the scriptures, because you think that in them you have eternal life; and it is they that bear witness to me;
yet you refuse to come to me that you may have life." [John 539-40]

Scripture does "bear witness" to Jesus the Truth, but Scripture can be abused - and become a tool of evil - if the heart wants it to. Jesus said to these men, "I know that you have not the love of God within you." [Jn 5:42]

One who seeks God, for the love of Truth, can find treasure in His Holy Words. For one who does not, who seeks only himself (his favorite idol) holy words are easily manipulated or ignored. Such is the way of many professionally religious - building a "House of God" to live in comfortably themselves!. Of those men, the Lord said:

Thus says the LORD: "Heaven is my throne and the earth is my footstool; what is the house which you would build for me, and what is the place of my rest?
All these things my hand has made, and so all these things are mine, says the LORD. But this is the man to whom I will look, he that is humble and contrite in spirit, and trembles at my word. [Isaiah [66:1-2]

One who humbly seeks Truth, bows and submits before it. It will be found in His Words, Holy Scripture. Such a one will listen, and hear, and believe, and live.

Akita Suggagaki · Sunday at 8:23 AM

Bob Crowley said:
When it comes to scholastic study of the Bible, I think the Catholic Church is just as competent as their Protestant compatriots. Catholic academics would be just as well versed in Scriptural studies and criticism as anybody else.

Maybe yes since "Divino afflante Spiritu" issued by Pope Pius XII on 30 September 1943

Bob Crowley said:
But in the case of lay Catholics, I think the Protestants would still be more familiar with Scripture. In my experience (at my wife's Baptist church for example) they tend to use the Scripture reading in the Church service in an almost bullet point fashion.

Whereas the Catholic Church homilies I've heard don't pin point the reading verse by verse. In any case the Catholic mass has four readings each time, whereas in my experience (again), the Protestants tend to focus on one.

I think of protestants as people actually carrying their Bibles with them while Catholics depend on what they hear in Mass.

Bob Crowley said:
In the academic world I think Catholic scholars and religious are just as well informed as their Protestant brethren, but not quite so much for the laity.

That's what I think anyway.

And I fear that creates a division or gap between not just academics but even the clergy who have formally studied scripture and the laity who have not.

Akita Suggagaki · Sunday at 8:26 AM

chevyontheriver said:
As to having 'caught up' we have to remember that the average Protestant has never been that Biblically literate to begin with. Sure, there were those who were serious about the Bible, but most really were not. Catholics were never that far behind. It's been more a matter of a different approach, with Catholics hearing a lot of Scripture rather than reading it.

We might have a bit of the best of both worlds now, at least for those Catholics who regularly darken the door of their parish. That's less and less people.

Yes, thank God for the liturgy which integrates scripture into devotion. Simply paying attention to what is read at Mass provides formation and education though the readings may seem out of context.

Akita Suggagaki · Sunday at 8:28 AM

fide said:
"Bible Study" is not always a good thing. It can produce a "biblical literacy" that has nothing to do with Eternal Life except to obscure it.

I suppose that can be true about anything. And we probably see more than enough on this forum as proof texting our opinion.

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Catholics, The Bible, Devotions, and Protestants

Akita Suggagaki

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Changes in Catholic Attitudes Toward Bible Readings

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chevyontheriver

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Changes in Catholic Attitudes Toward Bible Readings

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Bob Crowley

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fide

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Changes in Catholic Attitudes Toward Bible Readings

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Akita Suggagaki

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Akita Suggagaki

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Akita Suggagaki

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