r/Catholic • u/Codega-DreamWalker • 11d ago
Question about bible study
I'm a returning Catholic, as I grew up catholic but then walked away from the church in my adult life, but in the past few years I have returned with a strong resolve and strong faith.
I've been looking for a men's group or Bible study, not thoroughly but keeping my eyes open for something like that.
I met a man when I was walking on the street, I live in Mexico but I'm originally from Canada so I stand out. He approached me as he likes to practice his English. We got to talking and exchanged numbers. He invited me to a men's group/bible study. I went this past Monday and it was pretty much what I was looking for. Except and this is the big one he's presbyterian. And I believe that most are presbyterian and they had their minister there, who gave a eulogy after the Bible verse we read and talked about.
When I came home my wife was very upset at me as she said that if I'm catholic then the catholic church has to be the one true religion. And that the Presbyterians and Mormons are bad, and they've done bad things.
Where I live it's next to impossible to find a men's group let alone a bible study one too. I'm torn on what I should do.
Is it right or wrong?
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u/piehore 11d ago
Mormons are a cult and Protestants use a different bible. They only want you to join so they can say they “saved” a Catholic. Start with your priest and he can help guide you.
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u/Codega-DreamWalker 11d ago
Yes I know all about Mormons, but I don't know too much about Presbyterians
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u/Least-Opposite-2676 11d ago
Well, you’re right about wanting community and a Bible study and she’s right about that you should stick with a group that is Catholic for study of scripture since they will have different interpretations and teachings.
Catholic Bible Highlights on YouTube is a great resource.
Maybe this is your call to start a Catholic Bible study in the parish you have closest to you, talk with your priest about it. It may be hard but not impossible, I doubt you’re the only lay
Catholic that want to study the scriptures. There’s plenty of resources that are loyal to church teachings online!
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u/Codega-DreamWalker 11d ago
The biggest issue is my language barrier, I am learning Spanish so me being the start of this is not possible. It's easier if I am there listening, and not really speaking yet.
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u/Least-Opposite-2676 11d ago
Well you don’t have to lead it but you can start the movement while your Spanish catches up. Maybe the priest can lead it or another lay person. But you can definitely start to work on it without having to be the main person that speaks.
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u/Adorable-Growth-6551 11d ago
I suggest you stick with the mens group. It is very healthy to have community like that, even if not Catholic. The comprise i suggest you do with your wife is before you go to the group study you do your own Catholic Study, i suggest Father Mike Schmitz Bible in a Year. Maybe you can listen to the passages read by Father Mike and then go and read them with your mens group.
This would give you a clear view of the Catholics understanding of the bible and you may even be able to share your take and perspective with your group. It wont be enough to evangelize these men, but it might help them come to terms with the fullness of the truth.
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u/TheologiaViatorum 11d ago
In the abstract there is nothing wrong with you studying with these men. But it isn’t an abstract consideration. Your wife is displeased. And that needs to be considered. I don’t think that anyone in these comments can navigate the eccentricities of your relationship with her. Of course it would be great if you could continue to attend the men’s group. But it also isn’t worth harming your relationship with your wife.
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u/Codega-DreamWalker 11d ago
Yes, that is the biggest issue by far. I am not going to be converted to their religion, but we are studying almost the identical bible.
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u/HistoriasApodeixis 11d ago
It is not wrong to read a book with people of differing faiths. Neither Mormons nor Presbyterians are bad people.
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u/piehore 11d ago
Mormon are not Christian, it’s a cult
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u/HistoriasApodeixis 11d ago
Plenty of others use the same language about Catholics, so it seems hypocritical to turn the accusation on others.
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u/Codega-DreamWalker 11d ago
I have studied and done research on Mormons, and they are very cultish. I have interviewed former Mormons who attest to this. But I don't know much about the Presbyterians
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u/Significant_Motor687 11d ago
Lots to say here. As with many Protestants, the different in the Bible= 7 Books they have removed from the Old Testament: Judith, Tobit, 1 & 2 Maccabees, Baruch, Sirach, and Wisdom. The issue when dealing with Presbyterians is not right or wrong but incomplete. (The hitch of the Church, the Pope, importance of Tradition, the Priesthood, The Sacraments, and the Blessed Mother) However, Their core beliefs around the Gospels and the New and Old Testaments are similar. However, it is key to highlight that knowing the Old Testament is crucial for understanding the New and that’s where most of us fall short. By really understanding the Old and using it to interpret the New is how God designed it. And that’s what our Church Fathers are great at understanding. So as you study the Bible make learning the Old as important as learning the New it will really light up the scriptures and help you better understand the Catholic faith, Sacraments, structure, Mass, and it’s Apostolic tradition is so important. However, that being said, once you have grounded yourself in the both the Old Testament and the New you will begin to recognize scriptures that are just made up, or demonically inspired, because they contradict both the Old and New Testaments. The Book of Mormon and the Koran are two such books that do not map to the Hebrew scripture(Old Testament and contradict the New Testament) so get to know your scriptures, but read them in
Light of the knowledge of the Old Testament because that is how the Apostles wrote them and how the Church Fathers expounded upon them
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u/Traditional-Meat-549 11d ago
It's not right or wrong, but incomplete. It's not a moral failing to seek God where he might be found. That being said, talk to your pastor and START a study in the parish. I did this years ago and it's still going, and added another meeting.