Topic: Is the Bible non-denominational?

Source of this posting: Moderator response

Date originally posted: December 4, 2002

Moderator who originally posted this source: Fr. Robert

Question:   I have a couple of questions. 1) I am aware of a radio show of which is conducted by a gentleman who claims to be non-denominational. On his show, he answers the questions of his callers with verses from the Bible, and he then procedes to interpret the verses for the caller. How can he claim to be non-denominational, or without any sort of denominational tendency, if he can interpret the Bible? If I am correct, the Bible is interpreted somewhat differently among the different denominations, so how can he give answers that are not, for instance, 'Catholic-like' or 'Baptist-like?' 2) Does the Bible talk about anything along the lines of 'church times,' in the sense that the church will no longer be important at the 'end of days?' This is something that the gentleman above refers to on his show, and he says it is the major reason that he is non-denominational. He says that the Bible says that near the end of days, the devil will move into the church and will deliver 90% truth and 10% lies. What does the Catholic church have to say about this? Thank you!

Answer: 

Brooke,

Thank you for your questions. I, too, have had the experience of hearing someone say they were "non-denominational" but thinking they were speaking very much like a certain denomination. You are very wise to see that everyone has to interpret the Bible. Some people say that the Bible says this or that when it is really their interpretation of the Bible saying this or that. Catholics believe that Biblical interpretation is the work of the whole Church. Everyone Catholic is called to read (or listen to) the Bible and reflect on its meaning for their own lives. The story of the Prodigal Son may mean something different for you than me. Or it may mean different things for you at different times in your lives. The Holy Spirit reveals to you the meaning God wants you to find in the Scriptures. The Church does not tell every individual what a passage must mean for them. However, the Church does put limits on the range of interpretations available to us. For example, if an individual said that she read a passage and it was telling her to bomb abortion clinics, the Church would say no, that is an incorrect interpretation. It falls outside of the truth God reveals to us. We know God does not want us to do that kind of violence.

2.) The Bible makes references to the end times in many places. It is normally done through imagery and should not be regarded as an exact scientific description. That is not the intent of that kind of writing. When Christ comes again, the World as we know it will end. Christ our loving judge will judge all the Earth. There will no longer be a need for the Church as we know it. Everyone welcomed by God into everlasting life will be part of the communion of saints, joining the angels in giving praise to God.