My brain needs a wash

[humble soul]

Catholics have Bible study groups now. Not all parishes yet.

 

[humble soul]

Ironically I was pondering whether to join my parish Bible study group starting next month. Book of Ecclesiates and proverbs. Wisdom Books.
I baulked at 60 dollar cost of special work book.(by Jeff cavins a former Protestant pastor) and last time I joined the group, much time wasted on others interpretations of scripture. I prefer to work alone.

 

[humble soul]

today I still hear the primary emphasis placed on the Catechism and church leadership with little emphasis on the Bible,

That's American conservative Catholicism for you. I don't like it either. EWTN is cult like.

 

[humble soul]

My parents had all seven of us children kneel on the floor in our living room every evening to say our prayers before bed

Too strict. Too devout imo. It turned you off.
My parents weren't interested in theology. They were just practical catholics. "Let the intellectuals worry about theology" might be their mantra. My parents never encouraged me to read the Bible or catechism.
So here is an example of how our life experiences shape out choices in life including which faith we choose.
Your parents contributed to you rebelling and choosing your own path. I didn't need to rebel. My parents didn't take Religion seriously. As long as you adhered to a moral code. See, that's what sola scriptura Christians will jump over. "It's not enough to be moral. You have to be saved." I say ' well you might be taking theology too seriously'. Which of course sounds totally secular and off track I know. I honestly think it's more important to lead a life of decency than just believe God has saved you by reading the Bible daily. Belief is not enough. Behaviour and attitude are more important. And this is what my parents modelled. Good behaviour over saying the Rosary every day.

 

[for_his_glory]

John 1:1 in the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.

John 1:2 the same was in the beginning with God.
John 1:3 all things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made.
John 1:4 in him was life; and the life was the light of men.
John 1:5 and the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not.

Romans 10:9 That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.
Romans 10:10 for with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.

The Bible is our text book (Doctrines of Christ) as we are schooled all the days of our life as the Holy Spirit being our teacher that teaches us all truths, but yet it's up to us to open our text book and first pray and ask the Holy Spirit to give us wisdom and understanding. There is no one that could ever exhaust the teachings within it, but we study to show our self approved unto God, a workman that needs not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth, 2 Timothy 2:15.

Not everyone studies the scriptures as they would rather have someone else teach them, but how will they know the truth unless they read it for themselves as many are running around being deceived by man's teachings, neglecting the teachings that Christ has already given. You don't have to bury your nose in the book, but at least pick it up and start reading the gospels everyday even if it is just a verse or chapter.
​

There are many Spiritually born again Catholics as well as Protestants as it's not about what denomination/non-denomination church anyone attends, or the doctrines of the church. It's all about having a personal relationship with Christ through God's grace by faith that is Christ Jesus as you confess Him as Lord and Savior. But also, faith without works is dead faith as faith is an action word which leads us to continue in the works of Christ He left for us until He returns again. These works are found in Matthew 25:35-46.

​

 

[humble soul]

as many are running around being deceived by man's teachings, neglecting the teachings that Christ has already given.

That's possibly true for me. But I would argue that you have chosen some man made doctrines as well. It all started with Martin Luther when he rebelled.

 

[for_his_glory]

That's possibly true for me. But I would argue that you have chosen some man made doctrines as well. It all started with Martin Luther when he rebelled.

That's a fair assessment. As for me personally I have to have all things proven to me as I have been deceived by false teachings in the past that affected me very deeply almost causing me to walk away from God, thinking everything was just a lie. I went from church to church, even the Catholic church seeking answers to my questions, but never found any. It wasn't until I gave up and it dawned on me to quit seeking man's religion for answers and start seeking God who has all the answers. That's when I really started reading my Bible, not like a regular book, but as my text book as the Holy Spirit began to teach me, answering all my questions.

I'm not saying this is what you need to do, but that of my own experience on my journey for truth. I for one have nothing against Catholics and admire their dedication as they too are our brothers and sisters having faith in Christ just like any other Protestant religions that have a name above their door. Like I said, it's not about any type of religion, but about having that personal relationship with Christ as we draw closer to Him in knowing who He was, is and will ever be for us.

I pray for you and all of us everyday that we will always seek after truth by that which only comes by the Holy Spirit. There are many things in the Bible that just do not make sense, but yet those are the things I question and seek answers for understanding that can only be revealed to us by God's Holy Spirit.

 

[jasonc]

first schizm was in 1054 not in the 1500s .