Catholic vs Protestant paradigms - How we read Scripture

Have you noticed that we read and understand Scripture differently. I’ll explain the difference.

The Catholic Church teaches us to understand Scripture according to the Sacred Deposit, the Sacred Traditions, which Jesus established. Why? Because, Jesus Christ established a Church and commanded that Church to teach what He commanded. (Matt 28:19-20). As a result, the Catholic Church went about teaching orally. Then, later, wrote these Teachings down in the New Testament. Therefore, Scripture says, “hold the Traditions we have given you orally or by letter.” (2 Thess 2:15). Therefore, when we read Scripture, we understand it based upon the Traditions which are its basis.

On the other hand, Protestants have set the Traditions of Jesus Christ, aside. They deny that they have traditions but in fact, they have made up a whole slew of man-made traditions which differ from one denomination to another. They also have a doctrine of private interpretation, wherein, they go into the Scripture and discover within it that which they are predisposed to understand. Their traditions of men.

So, we both have presuppositions.

We have Catholic presuppositions which are based on the Teachings of Jesus Christ passed down by the Church which He commanded to Teach.

Protestants have man made traditions which have barely survived each generation from the time of Luther. If you compare Luther’s beliefs, to Calvin’s, they are slightly different. If you compare either of them to any of the confessions today espoused in the Protestant community, they are vastly different. Even the Lutherans and Calvinists of today hold beliefs vastly different than their founders.

Finally, you won’t find the Protestant method in Scripture. But you will find the Catholic method throughout:

Hebrews 13:7Remember 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.

Romans 10:14 How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher?

Acts 8:30 And Philip ran thither to him, and heard him read the prophet Esaias, and said, Understandest thou what thou readest? 31 And he said, How can I, except some man should guide me? And he desired Philip that he would come up and sit with him.