The Bible Reborn

America - The National Catholic Review ^ | Jan 20, 2014 | Dianne Bergant

[Alamo-Girl]

This was a very engaging article to me and I thought others around here might enjoy reading and discussing it also.

[Alamo-Girl]

Thought y’all might be interested in this one.

[Salvation]

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!

[Jim Robinson]

bookmark

[Inyo-Mono]

Bookmarked.

[Salvation]

**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?

[Alex Murphy]

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 ...

PFL

[Salvation]

Catholic Ping!

[Alamo-Girl]

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).

[BlueDragon]

Isaiah 55:11 [of course, ;)]

So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it.

We must trust in the Word, and allow the same to do the work.

Deuteronomy 8:3

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;

Acts 3:6

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...

[Alamo-Girl]

So very true, dear brother in Christ!

And to continue on one of those branches:

But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God. – Matt 4:4

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

Praise God!!!

[metmom]

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 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.

[metmom]

No matter how much we read the Scriptures, there is always a new layer, a new connection, another insight.

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.

[metmom]

Oh! And thanks for the ping.....

[Alamo-Girl]

I used to be part of Gideon's Auxiliary and it was delightful to us whenever a Bible was taken, stolen even - because there is a great hunger for the word of God and we were privileged to have a hand in placing a copy - and then replacing it.

For the word of God [is] quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and [is] a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. - Hebrews 4:12

It's wonderfully encouraging to hear the excitement of people really getting "into" the words of God.

[melsec]

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!

[Alamo-Girl]

LOLOL! GMTA! You and I were thinking of the exact same passage!

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.

Amen!

[metmom]

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.

[Alamo-Girl]

LOLOL! I’m so glad you came by, dear melsec!

[Alamo-Girl]

Absolutely! As BlueDragon pointed out from Isaiah 55:11

So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it.

That's why the Gideons love to replace stolen Bibles.