Replies

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.

“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.