*Rewind: JUST FOR my fellow CATHOLICS - BIBLE

In the Just for Catholics website, where Dr. Mizzi seeks to convince Catholics to leave the Catholic Church, there is a question and answer section, where he explains his understanding on several basic questions.  I will here, go over those questions, one at a time, to highlight the differences between what he believes and what the Church teaches.  I will also show why his view is in error according to the Word of God in Tradition, Scripture and Magisterium.  His words in blue:

The Bible is a Unique Book

Question: Does it say anywhere in the Bible that the Bible is the only book that is important?

Answer: There are other important and helpful books beside the Bible. Yet the Bible is a book in a category of its own. The Bible is inspired by God - that means that the human authors of the Bible (like Moses and Matthew) were led by the Holy Spirit to write down His Word accurately and without mistake. The Bible is God-breathed: it is the very Word of God.

So far, that agrees with Catholic Teaching.

Other books are written by fallible men and women; but the Bible alone is the infallible, written Word of God. Can you see the crucial difference?

Here, I'm a bit confused.  Is he asking whether we know the difference between fallible men and the Bible?  I guess we need to read a bit more to find out.

If you are seeking to know the way of salvation 

I am.

and how to please God, 

I am.

then there is no better place to go other than the Bible.

It might be a good start, but the Bible itself says one should seek instruction:

Acts 8

27And he arose and went: and, behold, a man of Ethiopia, an eunuch of great authority under Candace queen of the Ethiopians, who had the charge of all her treasure, and had come to Jerusalem for to worship,
 28Was returning, and sitting in his chariot read Esaias the prophet.
 29Then the Spirit said unto Philip, Go near, and join thyself to this chariot.
 30And Philip ran thither to him, and heard him read the prophet Esaias, and said, Understandest thou what thou readest?
 31And he said, How can I, except some man should guide me? And he desired Philip that he would come up and sit with him.


Notice that the Eunuch was an intelligent man, he was in charge of the queen's treasure.  Yet he couldn't understand the Bible.  Here's another verse where the Bible says we should be instructed before we read the Bible:

2 Peter 3:16

King James Version (KJV)

 16As also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things; in which are some things hard to be understood, which they that are unlearned and unstable wrest, as they do also the other scriptures, unto their own destruction.

So, there is a better place to go than to the Bible alone.  Go to a class.  Preferably a Catholic Bible study.

 Please read this passage carefully (2 Timothy 3:15-17):

That is a very good suggestion and we will proceed to do so.

From childhood you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.

Please note the twofold use of the Scriptures:

Dr. Mizzi asked us to read carefully and we shall.  First, we note the following:

From childhood you have known the Holy Scriptures

That is true.  St. Paul said so from the very beginning of the letter to St. Timothy.  Chapter 1 of the same book says:
5When I call to remembrance the unfeigned faith that is in thee, which dwelt first in thy grandmother Lois, and thy mother Eunice; and I am persuaded that in thee also.

You see, St. Timothy, as a child, did not pick up the Bible to read it.  He was instructed by his mother and grandmother.  Back to Chapter 3, St. Paul confirms this:

14But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them;
 15And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures,...

which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.

They can make you wise.  That is true.  But the Bible itself, as we have seen, says they can also be misunderstood.  Therefore, guidance is recommended.  And that is what St. Paul is referring to.  St. Timothy knows the Scriptures by the teaching of his family.

  
Several points which Dr. Mizzi missed here.

All Scripture is given by inspiration of God,

First, the verse says, "all" Scripture is inspired.  There is no implication that Scripture is the only thing which is inspired.  In fact, in another place, Scripture explains that men were inspired to write the Scriptures:

2 Peter 1:19-21

King James Version (KJV)

 19We have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts:
 20Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation.
 21For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.

So, yes, Scripture is inspired.   But not Scripture alone.  Men were inspired to write Scripture infallibly.

and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness,

Second, the verse says that Scripture is "profitable" for "teaching" in righteousness.  So, here, he is recommending a teacher should have a Bible when he teaches.  But he doesn't say it is necessary.

that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.

Here, St. Paul isn't talking about the Bible.  He is talking about the instruction of the man of God, using Scripture.

The Bible is a unique book;

Beyond question.  The Catholic Church agrees.

it contains the mind of God, reveals our sinful condition, the way of salvation, the doom of the unrepentant and the happiness of believers.  Its precepts and promises are true, guiding and comforting the faithful. Read it slowly, daily, prayerfully. Listen attentively to the preaching of the Word. Read good books that explain its meaning. Know, believe and obey the Bible because it is the voice of the Lord to you.

All that is true.  But remember that the Bible warns you that reading the Bible, you need guidance.  Therefore the Bible recommends:

Hebrews 13:7

King James Version (KJV)

 7Remember them which have the rule over you, who have spoken unto you the word of God: whose faith follow, considering the end of their conversation.


To that end, I recommend this free Bible Study:

St. Paul Center

1. The Bible can give you the knowledge you need to experience salvation. The Holy Scriptures 'are able to make you wise for salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.'

   
   

   Yes.  But the Bible warns that the unlearned can misunderstand Scripture.  At no time, in the Bible, is Scripture ever depicted as something which one learns alone.  Someone, from the Church, is usually depicted as teaching the Scriptures.

   
   

   
   
2. The Bible is useful for doctrine and guidance. Whoever is led by the Scriptures is described as 'complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.' The Bible is therefore enough to show God's children how to live for His glory.

No one denies that.  But Scripture tells us to hear the Church (Matt 18:17).  It is the Church which has the charism of infallibility as it is the Pillar of Truth (1 Tim 3:15).  It is the Church which teaches the Wisdom of God:

Ephesians 3:10

King James Version (KJV)

 10To the intent that now unto the principalities and powers in heavenly places might be known by the church the manifold wisdom of God,

If you obey the message of Scripture, you will submit to and obey the Church.

Hebrews 13:17

King James Version (KJV)

 17Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves: for they watch for your souls, as they that must give account, that they may do it with joy, and not with grief: for that is unprofitable for you.

Sincerely,

De Maria

*originally posted on 

Saturday, September 10, 2011 - There didn't seem to be any interest in this article, then. Just checking if there is any interest now.