I have always been Catholic (from birth) and attended Catholic schools for the first 8 yrs. All (required) sacraments received. Now, later in life (42) I am finding that I want to know more. I am not questioning, I just want to understand what might have been going on (in the Bible). Do you think this is okay to do? I realize we are to read the Bible as the word of God, and the contributors are writing in the view of the times, but it is so hard to understand why some things were done. Am I making any sense or am I just confused?

-- Ima Catholic (Imnot@home.net), August 17, 2004

Answers

Yes, every Catholic should want to understand the Bible. After all, it is our own book - defined and compiled by our Church, and describing the early history of our Church. As you say, many things in the Bible can be confusing when we try to understand them on our own, without authoritative guidance. Don't worry, you are in good company. Saint Peter, the first Pope, had the same problem (2 Peter 3:16). However, thankfully God has not simply inspired the Church to compile this book, and then left us each to figure it out for ourselves. If that were the case, no-one could rightfully claim to have any true understanding of the Bible. It would all be pure guesswork. However, Jesus told the leaders of the Church He founded that the Holy Spirit would guide them to all truth, and that of course includes the truth of Scripture. So, with the guidance of an infallible Church, and some effort on our part, we can come to know the true meaning of Biblical teachings. The Church is the only authorized interpreter of such doctrinal truths, which only makes sense since these truths were the teaching of the Church for 350 years before they became part of the Bible. The principle criterion for acceptance of various texts into the Bible was full accord with Catholic teaching. Texts which were contrary to Catholic teaching were not accepted into the book.

You might want to begin by purchasing a good Catholic study Bible. A study Bible contains the full biblical text, but with extensive footnotes and commentary on each page, explaining the meaning of the text. Make sure it is a CATHOLIC study Bible. Otherwise, the footnotes are just some individual's guesses as to what the texts might mean, with no authority behind them.

-- Paul M. (PaulCyp@cox.net), August 17, 2004.

The Catholic answer Bible by NAB, is an excellent way to learn more about the Bible and our Catholic beliefs. You can go to their web page and order a Bible there. www.firesidecatholic.com Click on the online store and then on the American Study and hand-size gift Bibles. You will find it there. Another excellent book, This is the Faith by Canon Francis Ripley. It's a complete explanation of the Catholic Faith. You can find this book by going to www.tanbooks.com and type the name of the book in the browse search engine. I highly recommend both books. Happy reading! :o)

God Bless.

-- jalapeno (jalapeno52000@hotmail.com), August 17, 2004.

Dear Ima,

While reading your post I feel that you are being guided by the Holy Spirit to make you mature in your Spiritual Journey. This is the way it happened to me too. The Holy Spirit made me thirst for the Bible reading. Although like you born a Catholic, nurtured through Catholic school and also receiving the necessary Sacrements I was given this desire to know more about the Bible. Mind you until then I used to be put off even to open as it seem so difficult to understand. but now I read it and all other Spiritual Literature as I have this strong urge to be close to Our lord and the Blessed Mother.

While I humbly thank god for this wonderful Grace I encourage to read this Greatest Book and ask your priest to help you to understand what you do not understand. Also make sure you ask the Holy Spirit to enlighten you what He wants you to understand. You are greately blessed Ima so keep persevering.

Good luck and God Bless, Ramanie.

-- Ramanie Weerasinghe (lilanw@yahoo.com), August 17, 2004.

Hi Ima,

My journey has been (and still is ongoing) similar to Ramanie's. I heartily recommend what everyone else has already said. Study the Bible! www.salvationhistory.com is a great place to start. If you have the opportunity, join a Catholic Bible Study. I did this and it's been invaluable to understanding the Bible. God bless you on your journey!

-- Andy S ("ask3332004@yahoo.com"), August 18, 2004.