I'm enrolled in my last NT Greek Exegesis class. We're studying James this semester.
For this class we're required to write to papers. One, a background paper on James and then an exegetical paper on one of seven passages selected by the professor.
Only academic commentaries are allowed for the exegetical paper and we must use a minimum of six. We have to break down the Greek, explain it, understand the context, etc.
Pride, even false pride, is a sin.
If you read and study only James in one semester, how can you read the entire bible in a year?
I can read the Bible myself without nutty study groups.
But can you understand it on your own without a priest to tell you what it means?
Roman Catholics have been telling everyone else you cannot do that.