Skip to main content

Traditional Catholics don't read the Bible ... really?

Image
By
+
JMJ



Tradiate happened upon some Catholic Bible resources (Held By His Pierced Hands by Meg Hunter-Kilmer) and thought it would be a good topic for a post.

There is a perception that Traditional Catholics don't read the Bible.

Reading a Catholic Bible is important, however, that is a gross generalization that doesn't really address the key point: Who will better understand the Catholic Faith.  Someone nurtured by the Tridentine Mass or somone who is 'de-nurtured' by the Novus Ordo Missae?

Let's assume the case of both a non-Trad and Traditional Catholic who don't read the Bible at all.

In the Traditional cycle of the Mass readings, the core truths of the Catholic Church reemphasized and reinforced on an annual cycle.

So a Traditional Catholic who attends the Tridentine Mass would, by the Epistle and Gospel readings, as well as by all the other parts of the Mass,  have a solid understanding of the core elements of the Catholic Faith. This would be further reinforced by actions that are completely aligned with the words (Genuflections etc).

So a Traditional Catholic may not know the entire Bible, but they'll know what is core to the Catholic Faith.

How about non-Traditional Catholic?

In the New Mass the cycle of Mass readings has been shifted to a 3 year lectionary that is (I understand) practically devoid of references to sin, hell etc.  Basically, anything that would cause a protestant to be repulsed. The liturgy is a 'banal on the spot fabrication' in which core elements of the Catholic Faith are not reinforced or even absent. Again in order to not offend the protestants.

So while a non-Trad Catholic may 'exposed' to a bigger selection of the Bible, but it will be missing some key elements and not be reinforced by the liturgy.

Not to mention that Traditional Catholics will, typically, read materials that clearly expound the Catholic Faith - which will reiterate the Bible in many ways. So in reality, a Traditional Catholic will generally have a better grasp on Catholic Teaching.

What about self-study among non-Trads.  My assumption is that their study will be based on Post Vatican 2 materials and tainted thereof.  Not to mention that they also probably read more protestant liturature. 

The end result, a non-Trad Catholic is at a severe handicap when it comes to understanding and holding onto the Catholic Faith in this time of crisis.

This is why I had a Non-Trad Catholic scream at me:
You want to send everyone to hell.
Oh boy.

So ... what next ???

The point is that it is not how many passages of the Bible that we can quote.  It is how well we understand the truths within the Bible and Tradition!

If we don't understand the Truths of the Catholic Church, reading the Bible would probably be dangerous.  

That is why Catholics used to be obliged to only read Bibles that had footnotes explaining the authentic meanings. Meanings that had been decided upon by the Teaching Authority of the Catholic Church.

All this to say, that yes we need to read the Bible, but we need to read it and understand it with the Church!

Below are some resources for seeing the structure of the Bible and for reading through the Bible within a year.  

P^3


Links to PDF Versions


Held By His Pierced Hands: One Year Bible Chronological Reading List

Held By His Pierced Hands: Bible Timeline



Bible History



Chronological Bible Reading Plan






Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

The Curious Case of Steve Skojec and the Dangers of Deep Diving into the Crisis Sub-Titled: The Failings of Others

By
 + JMJ It's been a while now since Steve Skojec sold 1P5 and abandoned the Catholic Faith. I've been a 'Trad' since 1982 and in those 40+ years I seen this death-spiral before with a similar end point. It seems that anyone who jumps into the fray unprepared for the enormous task of righting wrongs will, eventually, become discouraged by not the task but the people who surround them.   I remember when Skojec complained of the treatment his family received from a traditional priest.  This seems to have been the start of the end for him. So what can we learn from the likes of Steve Skojec, Michael Voris (maybe?), Louie Verrecchio, Gerry Matatix and other celebrity Catholics? Probably quite a lot about what not to do. First, don't burn out on the crisis?  When you burn out, on work or anything else, little things assume a more greater importance than they are due.   This is one of my 'canary in the coal mine' signals that I've been stretching myself too thin
Post a Comment
Read more

Thirty Days Prayer to Our Lady -

By
+ JMJ Providence has cast this prayer in my path twice in the last week.  I decided to post it here in order to have a copy handy. P^3 Prayer Penance Patience Source Intro Prayer With the condition of affairs in the cultural, political and physical world in a state of disarray we enter Lent - Ash Wednesday - February 25th - 2004 - more compelled then ever to pursue, diligently and faithfully, our personal road to holiness. It is a long, difficult path each of us treads, however, we do know the journey can be sweeter and more blessed if we travel it with others. Jesus has told us: "Wherever two or more are gathered in my name, I am with you." And there are many other biblical passages, as well, that urge us to love and help one another. A 'Thirty Day Prayer to the Blessed Virgin Mary ' was said by many Catholics during troubled times in their lives up until Vatican II. While looking through old stored away boxes, I came across a small white prayer b
4 comments
Read more

Fr. Burfitt on Fr. Pfeiffer's Attempted Consecration

By
 + JMJ   Amidst the shadows cast by the publication of Traditionis Custodes, I am working on a map of the 'resistance' splinters to put their reaction in contrast with that of the SSPX.  In the midst of this, I just came across Fr. Burfitt letter on the attempted consecration. Breaking it down (see below)  items 2 and 3 are key.  Just as the consecrating bishop is 'doubtful', even if he hadn't muffed the first attempt, Fr. Pfeiffer remain doubtful and therefore this impacts those men is attempts to 'ordain'. There were rumours that Fr. Pfeiffer was seeking episcopal consecration for years as he cast about for various bishops (also doubtful) to help him achieve this goal. I wonder how he convinced the 'doubtful' bishop to provide (twice) the doubtful consecration. What a mess!  This creates a danger to the souls of his followers and wonder where it will end. Will he go full sede and have himself 'elected' pontiff as others have done before him
Post a Comment
Read more

Cathinfo and the 'resistance' perspective (updated with response to comment)

By
+ JMJ Matthew, the owner of Cathinfo - a resistance forum has posted a response to a person that indicated his reasons for continuing to go to the SSPX.
3 comments
Read more

Morning and Evening and other sundry Prayers

By
+ JMJ Along the theme of P^3 (Prayer, Penance, Patience), and for my own reference ... here is a collection of Morning and Evening prayers from the Ideal Daily Missal along with some additional prayers. In this crisis of the Church, I do not think it is possible to do too much prayer, penance and have patience. P^3
Post a Comment
Read more