What is the difference between how Catholics interpret the Bible and how other Christians interpret the Bible?

Answer 1

Roman Catholic AnswerCatholics interpret The Bible under the light and authority of the teaching magisteriam of the Church. God is the primary author of Scripture, and the Church is God's voice on earth for its interpretation. Christians who are not Catholics (in other words, those who have been baptised outside the Church) feel that they can interpret the Bible for themselves by the light of the Holy Spirit.

from A Biblical Defense of Catholicism by Dave Armstrong, Sophia Institute Press, Manchester, New Hampshire, 2003

Most conservative, classical, Evangelical, "Reformation" Protestants hold to the view that - when all is said and done - the Bible is basically perspicuous (able to be clearly understood) in and of itself, without the absolute necessity for theological teaching, scholarly interpretation, and the authority of the Church (however defined).

This is not to say that Protestants are consciously taught to ignore Christian historical precedent altogether and shun theological instruction (although, sadly, the tendency of ahistoricism and anti-intellectualism is strong in many circles). Rather, perspicuity is said to apply to doctrines "essential" for salvation. Accordingly, it follows that whatever is necessary for salvation can be found in the Bible by any literate individual without the requisite assistance of an ecclesiastical body. This is presupposed in, for example, the widespread practice of passing out Bibles to the newly evangelized, oftentimes with no provision made fur further guidance and supervision.

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But what could possibly be imagined as more fatal to this abstract view than the tragic multiplicity of Protestant denominations? The Bible is indeed more often than not quite clear when approached open-mindedly and with a moral willingness to accept its teachings. But in actual fact many Christians (and also heretics or "cultists") distort and misunderstand the Bible, or at the very least, arrive at contradictory, sincerely held convictions. This is the whole point form the Catholic perspective. Error is necessarily present wherever contradictions exist - clearly not a desirable situation, as all falsehood is harmful (e.g. John 8:44, 16:13; 2 Thess. 2:10-12; 1 John 4:6). Perspicuity might theoretically be a good thing in principle, and on paper, but in practice it is unworkable and untenable. History has proven this beyond all doubt.