Hi Fr. Jim,
I recently became a member of Red Bridge Christian Church because they study the bible and have bible classes. I also was hired as the bell director/organist.
I went back to Our Lady of Perpetual Help as a singer in the Contemporary Choir.
My question is this, “Why doesn’t the Catholic Church teach the Bible?” I grew up in the 60’s-70’s and I have learned far more about the bible because of the classes at the Christian Church. Many years ago, there use to be prayer meetings at the homes of Catholics and also RCIA seems to be doing well, but we seem to forget the continuing education of adults like me.
Caroline
Hi Caroline –
It’s great to hear from so many people on here and to try to answer their questions. You ask “Why doesn’t the Catholic Church teach the Bible?” – My response is IT DOES!!!! In fact, it was the Catholic Church – through the prayer and direction of the Holy Spirit over a period of 300 years who helped form the Bible (determining which books were the inspired word of God and which were not).
Whether it’s the Holy Father, Pope Benedict declaring this year the “Year of St. Paul” where he practically teaches on the writings of St. Paul (which make up the majority of the New Testament) every week (check out www.vatican.va – look under “the Holy Father” and “general audiences” and you can read them online) or a lay minister who runs a bible study in her parish – there’s countless ways that Catholics can learn more about the Bible.
I can understand your frustration that not every parish offers a bible study (and there can so many various types of study that one person might find meaningful, and another might not). My suggestion is look at other Catholic parishes in your area to see what they offer. Sometimes they might offer an Advent or Lenten bible study program. Sometimes they have them ongoing. Some even offer a more indepth explanation, reflection and prayer based on the Sunday Mass Readings so that when you go to Celebrate the Eucharist, you could participate more fully in that Mass.
The other thing is looking online for the numerous Catholic resources that are available. One personal favorite is www.scripturecatholic.com which shows where things we as Catholics believe can be found in the Bible.
There’s countless ways the Church tries to teach the Bible, because as St. Jerome once said “Ignorance of the Scriptures is ignorance of Christ.”
I hope and pray that you may experience the Word of God more fully in your own life and appreciate the rich scriptural tradition the Catholic Church was founded on and continues to live today.
God Bless –
Fr Jim
