Victory in Defeat
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Back in the 90’s then rising convert Tim Staples, Catholic author, apologist and lecturer, confessed that the ignorance of Catholics about the Bible enabled him to draw many Catholic servicemen into Protestantism. However, he met his match at one duty station when a well versed—no pun—Catholic “schooled” him on Scriptural truth in accordance with the One, Holy, Catholic, and Apostolic Church. Afterwards, Tim tried his best to reconnect with those he had falsely swayed.
I am one who is most grateful that the Catholic Church understood that the times called for for educating Catholics in Scripture aside from the pulpit on Sunday. Today’s Lectio Divina expands on that effort and crowns understanding. However, I am also dismayed that in 2026, this endeavor still too often capitulates to the spirit of sola scriptura and appears almost apologetically solicitous of Protestant works (and theologians) rather than confidently upholding sound apologetics founded on the Word of Jesus Christ and transmitted to and conveyed by early Apostles, Church Fathers, Church Doctors, hundreds of saints and thousands of holy persons over two thousand years. All together, rather that upholding the universal Church, erratic Bible studies can resemble a modern Tower of Babel.
The Church houses the Truth in its Magisterium, expounded upon in the Catechism of the Catholic Church. The fact is that the Bible, as a stand alone, in the absence of historically proven translation, sound background, and thorough interpretation and application, can be detrimental to spiritual growth. Furthermore, Catholic Bible study is not intended to be a subjective journey based on personal opinion, but rather a structured, objective endeavor designed to align individual understanding with the Church’s immutable teachings, though, on a deeper level, such study often involves a uniquely individual spiritual encounter with God.
How to stay grounded in Truth while welcoming the Holy Spirit is key and begins with knowing that which has been humanly distorted.
Most Catholics know that the Catholic Church Bible contains 73 books while the Protestant Bible accepts only 66. However, how many know about the poorly chosen text within numerous, various Bibles? Worse are the additions or deletions of words. Well known convert and Biblical scholar Dr. Scott Hahn, but others, have noted that Luther inserted the word “alone” into Romans 3:28 (Thus we conclude that a man is justified without the deeds of law through faith alone) but that word “alone” is not found in the original Greek text. The man, Luther, rationalized his editing by claiming that the “idea” was present. Others, like John Calvin, imposed their “ideas” as well. Incidentally, Catholics should carefully research for trustworthy or recommended Catholic Bibles.
The mythical account of the Tower of Babel (Genesis 11:1-9) illustrates well the current environment whereby people are building their collective “towers of knowledge” within study groups. These are the popular Bible studies often overseen by parishioners who may or may not have in-depth knowledge of Scripture, but are nonetheless generally open to wide ranging “discussion” and personal impressions of how Scripture impacts their individual lives. Moreover, what is frequently shared reflects participants individual life experiences, often with trauma; his or her ideology, often politicalized though packaged under “social justice” or legitimate concerns for neighbor; and general applications which may or not make sense in view of the actual chapters and verses for the session.
Such gatherings can construct a Tower of Man Interpreted Scripture, whereby it takes only a strong willed facilitator and a couple of like minded colleagues to blueprint such. Theologians or scholars may be parceled to substantiate a world bound perspective or drive the follow-up discussion towards contemporary issues and personalized meanings that boost questionable take aways. Furthermore, the Tower of Babel, a story constructed with an instructional purpose to warn people away from prideful ambition that supersedes God’s Word and Will, was defeated when God confounded the masses by multiple languages, thereby creating individual nations. Millions today “speak Scripture in his or her own language.”
Now, I hasten to interject that most Bible Study leaders and attendees have good intentions when meeting to pore over Scripture. They may have been ill taught themselves or persuaded by a particular theologian or pastor. I have not personally encountered anyone who has intentionally misled a group or failed to desire that the members grow in the wisdom of the Holy Spirit.
That established, there are numerous resources for sound Bible study, alone or with others. Ascension Press’s “Benefits and Pitfalls of Personal Bible Study” by Michale Labanca, January 14, 2019, establishes some direction. One, persons must acquaint themselves with that which is defined dogmatically from that which can be interpreted in different ways. An example of the former would be the nature and necessity of the Sacraments; the latter may relate to time of Creation. Two, ensure that facilitators and materials are vetted by trustworthy scholars. Leaders and participants must refer and defer to those who are well grounded in Catholic teaching. Indeed, having more than one trusted source helps. Pope Leo XIII recommended Church Fathers in his encyclical Providentissimus Deus. Another resource is Catena Aurea or “Golden Chain” commissioned by Pope Urban IV, a compiled list of writings and commentaries of the Church Fathers on Scripture. Personally, I often refer to Cornelius a Lapide for correct translation and commentary by Church giants like St. Augustine and Thomas Aquinas, among others.
In Verbum a March 22, 2024 blog, Mark Giszczak expanded on the rightful Catholic encounter with the Bible, noting this is not done “in a vacuum”. He noted the encouragement of such study, as literacy grew and by such as Pope Pius XII in his 1943 (Divino Afflante Spiritu). The Second Vatican Council’s Dei Verbum (1965) elevated the study of Scripture, and the Pontifical Biblical Commission of 1993 provided a document: The Interpretation of the Bible in the Church. Pope Benedict’s 2010 encyclical Verbum Domini wed Catholic theology to Catholic Bible study. Like the horse and cart of marriage, you can’t have the one without the other.
Finally, Catholics must enter any Bible study knowing that the traditions and teachings of the Catholic Church are sufficient to live a strong Christian life. We must remind ourselves that millions achieved sainthood without being literate or having access to a Bible. Certainly Scripture informs and inspires us, but it should never detract us from Truth and Love that is found in the Sacred Heart of Jesus, the Word made flesh.
Patricia Hershwitzky, a three-decade educator, holds a degree in Political Science, minor journalism; a Masters in Education and an Educational Specialist degree. Since the early 1990's, she has published numerous articles and letters, along with four books, including:: "Teaching the City of God in the City of Man: Pursuing Salvation Education." Her background includes advocacy for children in the womb. pregnant mothers in crisis, the mentally challenged and emotionally ill. As a breast cancer survivor, Patricia has encouraged women to embrace Catholic responses--meditations and prayer-- during treatment. She is a member of the Guild of St. Benedict Joseph Labre and recently made her promise to the Secular Order of the Servants of Mary. Her most recent work, "Speaking One's Soul: Magnifying God's Word in a Madly Godless World," co authored with Mary Sobel Ott, is now available through Enroute Books and Media. A current focus is finalizing a Catholic parental guide through the maze of mental illness.
