Unfortunately, I’m seeing more and more Catholics attending what they call “non-denominational Bible studies." Attendees are almost always ladies who are probably more attracted to the social aspect of such gatherings than by what they may learn about scripture. In most cases they are the only Catholics attending.
My usual response to this information is, “there is no such thing as a non-denominational Bible study; it is either Catholic or it’s not Catholic.” When questioned about how they deal with such passages as John 20:23 concerning the Sacrament of Penance or, Matthew 16:18-19, with all that pesky Peter/Rock stuff, their answer is, “they just don’t go there.” Huh? You’re going to have Bible study with whole parts left out because you may disagree?
The saddest part of this scenario is that the folks attending these non-Catholic Bible studies are usually the ones who know the least about their faith. If they knew their faith, they wouldn’t be there. So, here they are, sitting ducks for the other attendees to “kick sand in the eyes of their faith.” Are the non-Catholics bad people? Of course not. What they are is people who have a faith based on “Bible only” and they are going to do their best to help their poor deluded Catholic friends. Many times they help them right out of the one, true Church.
How much better, gentle reader, to start a Bible study in your church, or at least, coerce someone else to start one. I’m good at that! Non-Catholics recognize the need for community and use Bible study gatherings to good effect. Let’s learn a lesson from them, and some scripture, too.
By the way – we are not a “denomination” (which means “to take a new name”); we are the Church. Those who are separated from the Church are members of denominations.
