Bible

Each week the readings in Mass end with the phrase, "The Word of the Lord." As Catholics we believe that this revelation of God is central to our life. Vatican II produced a clear declaration of the nature and role of Scripture. In this work, "Dei Verbum" we read:

"The Church has always venerated the divine Scriptures just as she venerates the body of the Lord, since, especially in the sacred liturgy, she unceasingly receives and offers to the faithful the bread of life from the table both of God's word and of Christ's body." (VI, 21)

For many the idea of honoring the Scriptures is not a difficult task. Still, many people often wonder about its origins. To begin to understand the history of the Bible we need to look at the canon. The word "Canon" (kanon) is a Greek word that means "rule or measure" The Canon is the approved list of books that make up our Bible today.

The Old Testament canon of the Catholic Church, which differs from the Protestant one, contains 46 books. Seven of these books, sometimes called the Apocrypha or Deuteronocanonicals, were part of the Greek translation of the Old Testament called the Septuagint. It is the version used by St. Paul in his writings and it was in wide use in the early church. Therefore, the Catholic Church treats these 7 books with the same reverence as the rest of the Old Testament canon. Protestants, following a later Jewish tradition, omit these books. We must note that the more historically accurate list is the list of the Septuagint.

But are the Old Testament books authoritative? Consider this from Fr. William Most:

"The testimony of Christ and the Apostles, who cite the OT as a sacred work, is indicative of the inspiration of the books they cite. Their testimony may suffice for the entire OT, inasmuch as they often quote from the Septuagint (LXX), which contained both protocanonical and deuterocanonical books." (Most, Bible III, Canon)

Therefore since Jesus and the Apostles quoted from the Old Testament (namely the Septuagint) we can accept these books as firmly established as approved or canonical.

The New Testament contains four biographies of the life of Jesus called the Gospels. After the Gospels comes Acts of the Apostles. This is a historical narrative about the life and work of the early church and the spread of Christianity to communities outside of Israel. A large portion of the New Testament contains letters written to these new Christians in order to explain, correct, and encourage them in the faith. These letters are commonly called the Epistles. Finally, we have the symbolically-rich Revelation to John with its primary message of hope and joy in the expectation of Christ's return and victory.

Some of these books were in circulation as early as 20-30 years after Jesus' resurrection. But there were many others circulating that did not accurately record the words and actions of Jesus. Some of them contradicted the words and declarations of the Apostles Jesus instructed to teach and lead. At some point there had to be a determination of what writings were truly inspired a canon was needed.

Father Michael Geisler sums the process up like this:

"Canonicity was based on three criteria: (a) apostolic origin - one could trace the books back to one of the apostles or their companions, (b) orthodoxy - the content of these books conformed with authentic preaching about Christ and the Church, and (c) catholicity - those books were used by all or nearly all the communities of the faithful."
(from the St. Paul Center for Biblical Theology)

Officially, the earliest New Testament canon was given by the Council of Rome in A.D. 382 under Pope Damasus (and later confirmed by the 3rd Council of Carthage in A.D. 397). Therefore by the year 400A.D. the list of New Testament books that we now have in our Bibles was in place.

The Catholic Church played an extremely crucial role in the life of the Christian Scriptures. The decisions that were made about these books were made with the help of the Holy Spirit, whom Jesus had promised would lead the church into all truth. These books are indeed "The Word of the Lord." Illuminated and guided by the Church's Tradition, they are a source of nourishment to our souls. May we not neglect so great a gift.
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Can Catholic beliefs be rightfully challenged in modern times?

Having spent a majority of my life in Catholic schools, I studied and was inspired by Catholicism in doing right by others. However, as I grew older and reviewed some of the religious specifics I had learned, I began to see inconsistencies in those lessons.

Could the bible have fault? Responding from my life lessons in religion, I personally believe that there is not only likely misinformation in the bible, but it is entirely possible that some situations may not have happened at all in the manner documented.

What are some examples? One of my key disputes are that Catholic followers are no to pray or give prayer to false idols. Specifically we are not to pray to anything other than Jesus; God himself. Yet, in the very same bible and per instruction from the highest positions in the church, they require prayer to St. Michael or a more common Hail Mary prayer as well as others. Why would the very bible that gives specifics to pray to no other idols or false god's nor angels, then encourage or specify prayer to anyone other than Jesus; God himself?

Another example of these discrepancies are that Jesus; God has risen from the dead and came back to prove life beyond death yet some parish members do not believe in life after death such as in ghostly activity. My opinion is that if you believe in the bible, then you must believe all of the bible, not select captions or chapters.

Further, many of the stories of the bible are witness accounts of what happened both BC (before Christ) and AD (anno domini or after death). A good posing question would be if these stories actually occurred or quite possibly were misinterpreted.

Could biblical stories be misinterpreted? It would be ridiculous to think that all stories in the bible are absolutely accurate. As we are literally taking their interpetations as fact and are further instructed by the church not to question. Yet, the bible was written by man as mans' interpretation of happenings and experiences. Let us not forget that those interpretations could be documented incorrect as the bible itself has been re-written a handful of times and into most every national language in modern times. Each of those languages can not specify exactly the same information. Thus, if the English version was different just a minor amount to; let's say, the Japanese version, then that would mean there are already differences in how history transpired in biblical times. Simply from translation. As some languages have far more descriptive and specific words to help describe the situations of that time. Does that mean that a nationality that has the bible translated has less description? And if that be the case, who chooses which words are the most accurate or which words to remove in those descriptions? The answer to this question is, "Man". Man is not only capable of sin and error but is so designed. Thus, it would be ridiculous to think that man's interpretation of the bible through many generations and translations actually occurred as described in modern times. There have been documented variations of happenings in the bible over the course of time. How a situation occurred and how it was resolved. Man, translated the bible, we all agree on this as the bible was never written in English, other verbs and adjectives had to be used in the interpretation. Thus, subject to interpretors' best guess in his abilities. Now, let's assume that some of the interpretors of the past were not college students or graduates but rather a common man. A man that had no study credentials or accomplishments. We would have to be quite conceited to consider all of the above and still believe the bible is accurate in today's time.

In closing I have but one more thing to consider that I happen to personally believe after many years of studies in the Catholic faith. The bible gives inhuman example stories. Such as the parting of the Red Sea. Or the burning bush. Or the city of Babilon, etc. Personally I believe in the story essence in each. I do not believe at all that the Red Sea was parted nor the full description of the city of Babilon. But, if we believe in the essence or the morals of the stories that is all that is expected of us. However, we have parishioners that do not question these stories as completely accurate and happened exactly as documented in today's bible. To me, that is a foolish assumption. However, loosing one self in the story and not absorbing the moral teachings is where society needs to stop and appreciate what man has written through the ages to help each of us continue on a more rituous path.

My feelings of these huge events such as the parting of the Red Sea, etc are that man were living off of the land to the most part. You grew your food, you didn't go to a store as we experience today. Yes, there was bartering, etc. However, my feelings on these events are back to man's interpretation of them. I feel the men that were present for these monumental experiences were likely experiencing much of the interpretation through the eyes of a man having ingested herbs and spiritual drugs. Is that so far off to consider? Keeping in mind many hundreds of years later, the American Indians were still using earth herbs to hight hen their religious experiences. If you have even the remote belief that my statements are true, then you have to completely re-think your own interpretations of the bible and it's stories. As there are a number of above listed variables that would play into any one man's interpretations in biblical times. We have news agencies in modern times that argue and debate current events and even events of twenty or fifty years ago. When considering we are discussing things thousands of years ago, it is absurd to take the Catholic bible as absolute. In final, my belief is that God gave us the minds and the free will to make our own decisions and take from these very stories and improve ones' life.

Learn more about this author, Mick Phipps.
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Reflections: Discrepancies in the Catholic bible
In my life time I only visited a catholic church on one occasion it was back when i was a teenager I had a girlfriend that was catholic and she talked me into going to her church on Sunday . I actually find catholic churches a bit spooky with all the statues etc.

I did though pick up what i believed to be a catholic bible one time and was reading Mathew 5 and 6 . They translate not to use repetitious prayers like the heathen do to say do not babble like a pagan . Now surely that has to be a translation meant to change the real meaning . Warning us not to use repetitious prayer don't sound much like babble like a pagan . Seems they must need to make room for repetitious prayer in my opinion .

One time I also picked up a book on Catholicism and started to read their version of the 10 commandments . I was shocked the second command was no longer recorded as a command . Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image or any likeness was no longer a command . To make 10 Commands they took and made 2 commands out of the 10th one . Thou shalt not covet .

If I remember correctly They made one Thou shalt not covet the neighbors wife and then a other thou shalt not covet the neighbors house . So does that mean you can covet the neighbors boat ? his truck? his business? .

Well I guess we are free to make some graven images now as we got rid of that one .I just like to know how they know what graven images they are making . Did Mary really look like that? Christ? Are they guessing? Could it be somebody else ? Why do we need these images any way?

The Babel like a pagan scripture was enough for me surely that translation is meant to open the door for repetitious prayer when scripture says not too .
There are no discrepancies in the original languages of Hebrew,Chaldees,Aramaic and Greek.

There are discrepancies in translations.The fact is God spoke as holy men of old were moved as the Spirit led them. Anyone can check out the languages with a concordance. The problem is translations that veer off the original tongues.The Catholics use Latin and even copies of copies that are inferior. King James 1611 English Bible is as close of translation with out errors you can get. Yes there are errors but again you can check them out.

If your faith is in your church then that is a problem and judgment is upon all churches as all of them today are unfaithful.If you have left your faith it is because you weren't saved from God and have no idea what you believed and never really check it out. God does the saving and he draws us to him.No church,no membership,baptism or communion saved anyone.

You can believe what you want as most unbelievers and so called Christians do. You can use the excuse that churches are all splintered up and have different doctrines and stay away from God. Men created their own doctrines for those churches. But the fact is there is the Bible and there is no excuse.God is now judging the churches and will judge on the last day and it is upon us. So I would think twice before you decide what truth is. There is only one truth.
God commands us to search out the scriptures,for reproof and false teachings.

In the first 4 chapters of the Revelations God has already identified churches that were dead 1900 years ago."If judgment starts at the house of God ,where will faith be when he comes",Christ said.If those churches in Revelations are dead and they all are today;what do you think is happening now to the churches? God is in control and he has allowed this to happen as some truth has gone out through the churches. Today though, if God has opened our eyes we can see what happened to Israel the external church before and up until Christ and Pentecost. They rebelled from moses unto Christ. And the New Testament churches have and are doing the same thing. They all think they are save but Christ is coming as a thief to them and those who stay in them and to all the unbelievers.

A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit.
Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire.
Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.
Not every one that saith unto me,Lord,Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works?
And then will I profess unto (them),I (never) knew you:depart from me,ye that work iniquity.Matt.8:18-23

Yes this is a long way around discrepancies but now one can tell where truth is or where truth isn't. Again if someone isn't bringing truth, they are a false prophet and if truth is sent out then by it you will judge if one doesn't abide in the truth. Some one is wrong, there can only be one truth and God isn't wrong. It is either the churches or the true believers that are commanded by God to send out the truth in these last of last days. Cry now for the mercy of God.

Learn more about this author, 2011 AD
There are so many discrepancies and contradictions in the bible. Too many to count. Not to mention extreme ideas including blood sacrifice, and severe consequences for people who sin.

The main problem with trying to decipher the bible is, there are so many ways to interpret it. Depending on someones own personal belief, it can be twisted around to serve their agenda. Also many times people will turn a bible verse into a metaphor. Or turn what was meant to be a metaphor into a truth.

Different denominations can also hold beliefs that are odd and contradict the bible. The first thing that comes to mind is the Catholic faith.

In every Catholic church you will not only find a statue of Jesus on the altar, but somewhere in the church will also be a statue of Mary. People of the catholic faith worship not only Jesus and God, but they pray to Mary. They pray to certain saints. It clearly states in the ten commandments not to "Have any other Gods before me".

Another thing that baffles me about catholics is the use of a confessional. If you read Matthew 7 verses one through five, it clearly states that we are not to judge people. It sends the message that God himself is the only one that judges. With the exception of Jesus. Still people will go into a little booth, and confess their sins to a priest. Accepting it as fact, that the priest can forgive them. The priest then gives them a penance, and after saying a few hail Mary's they are forgiven. Is the priest a representative of God?.

Which leads me to my next thought. When it comes to sex in the bible, the advice is clear. 1 Corinthians, verses 1 through 15 explains in specific terms that everyone should refrain from sex. However, if you can not do that you are suppose to marry. The reason being so, "Satan can not tempt you in your weakness".

The fact is that priests are put up on a pedestal. They are expected not to have sex. This not only goes against what the bible says, but as we well know can be a spring board into the abuse of children. Which has cost the Catholic Church millions so far, and from what I have read, the problem is far from over.

I believe the Catholic Church would be well served to change their policies. A lot of people have inquired as to why they haven't done this. I can only assume that since the catholic Church is actually a multi million dollar business, people don't want a change. Add in religious dogma and things will probably never change.
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The desire for more
When I asked a nun at Church if there could be a Bible Study at Church in the evening, her answer was, "with all the parents driving kids to sporting events, they just don't seem to have the time".

This is so sad because Catholics do not act Christian which is evidenced by not reading or living the Bible, or fellowship at Church. They go to mass on Sundays and many can't wait to leave and race out of the parking lot! When I go to a Bunco party at someone's house, I can immediately tell that they are Protestants; they are more welcoming and act the way that Christ would want people to act. These people learn your name, whether it be socially, or when you are a visitor at their church.

Perhaps if the Bible was studied in the Catholic Church, and prayer meetings were offered, then these people would "get the point" of it all. They need to know that John 3, which they hear in the gospel, is something to live by. They must confess their sins, admit that they are a sinner, ask God to lead their life, and become saved. Salvation is more than an Easter story and just because the Bishop comes to their church on a designated day, doesn't mean that the Holy Spirit arrives then too. He comes, when individuals ask and are ready to surrender their life to God, which is explained in the Bible. This Good Book is not a representation of merely a history book, for it is the "best seller" of all times.

Catholics need to "live" a spiritual life, and they are not going to get that by memorizing prayer; they must pray to Jesus with their heart, and all their soul. They must get into "heavy duty" prayer and study what the Bible really is all about. They should learn at an early age that it is not corny to have prayer meetings at home, to listen to Christian music, and to follow the advice in the Bible for everyday things. If our young people knew that there were answers there about saving money, and making choices, their lives could be so much easier. Gluttony, sloth, and envy, along with a different perspective of what lust really is, would be avoided. You don't hear the word "sin" very much in today's world, but on the other hand, if you ask children what "obeying" means, they probably are not sure and don't hear it at home.

If fathers put the almighty dollar at the top of the list, they teach their children to worship material things. If mothers don't refer to what God would want want they are trying to enforce anti-bullying techniques at home, then children will not learn what is at the root of anger. If sports are put in front of relgion, as far as a priority, then it is obvious that the Bible means nothing to them. If Sunday morning soccer games are scheduled, or Mother's Day games change family plans, then something is terribly wrong. Values are taught in the Bible and perhaps parents are not doing their job. Many Catholics are not doing their job.

Even Thomas Jefferson said that schools would be ruined if God was taken out of the classrooms for this country was founded on Christian principles; those that are in the Bible.
It is time for a spiritual renewal in this country; no wonder why only 7% of the world's population is not Catholic. The Torah and the Koran are spiritual guide-books, and people that believe in the religions that use them, respectfully use these books, as God's living Word. Then why shouldn't Catholics use, read, pray, and know their Bible? It is the road map to eternal life!

Learn more about this author, Carol Natoli