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Post by upupandaway on Mar 19, 2017 17:58:11 GMT
This idea recently came up in my Lenten prep:
...really?
I can't speak from my own experience because I don't read the Bible regularly. I can say that even in the irregularity of my Scripture reading, I generally make marginally better decisions than when I didn't read the Bible at all. However, if you knew what I was like in those days...other non-readers of the Bible thought I was out of my mind due to some of the choices I made. So improvement from that state isn't actually saying much.
Some people I know who are faithful to Bible reading make some of the most spectacularly bad decisions imaginable. Not just once, but again and again and again. Things that I, in my infinite thickness, would never myself choose.
So I'm not sure I agree with that statement. Do you? Is there a connection between regular Bible reading and better decision making?
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Post by pensmama87 on Mar 19, 2017 18:53:01 GMT
I'd argue that it's probably very likely that those who *pray regularly* make better decisions, whether they use Scripture to pray or not.
Maybe, if one dedicated him or herself to reading the Bible, and could do so regularly, that might be an indication that this is a person who's more disciplined, more likely to be able to delay gratification, motivated to grow in virtue, etc. That could make a regular reader of Scripture more likely to make good decisions, since they may be more likely than the general population to be the kind of people who would sit and read the Bible anyway. But as you say, the two definitely don't have to go together, not one bit.
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Post by pensmama87 on Mar 19, 2017 18:54:37 GMT
Curiously, too, this begins to seem like "magical thinking" to me - "read this, be cured of everything." And that's not exactly how it works. The Bible is very important, but it's not magic or something to be superstitious about.
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Post by Irishmom on Mar 19, 2017 18:57:59 GMT
UpUp, I saw that too and thought: how do they know that? Did they do a survey? It seemed like a statement that could not be backed up... I was a little disappointed to read that comment in all honesty.
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Post by pianistclare on Mar 19, 2017 20:08:29 GMT
Sounds like a similar notion being batted about at TOP...in which one poster is telling everyone that there is no salvation without Our Lady. I feel very badly for Our Lady, being used as a book with which to hit people over the head. There have been 4 recent threads about this since Friday morning....3 closed. And the agenda poster keeps going and going...kind of like the energizer bunny. But as far as Scripture goes, they likely meant only that there much wisdom there that can be applied to nearly every human situation, and that those who know Scripture well, are well equipped to deal with various issues. But said it awkwardly. Sometimes what we mean doesn't exactly come out right. Is this a Matthew Kelly thing? If it is, he tends to WAY oversimplify in an attempt to engage people who kind of do little more than show up at church. Hence his big following. Where's my shrug smiley  ? hmmmm |
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Post by Beryllos on Mar 19, 2017 23:09:03 GMT
Yes, it was Matthew Kelly in his Best Lent Ever video a few days ago. When I heard/viewed it, I didn't try very hard to analyze it, and I assumed it was related to the idea of "seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be given you besides." Or as Bishop Barron said (paraphrasing St. Augustine?) if you have faith, hope, and love, you will know how to live well ( link to related article here). |
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Post by pianistclare on Mar 20, 2017 2:30:42 GMT
Sounds like it.
I'm probably the only pers that doesn't particularly care to read Matthew Kelly, bit our Archbishop makes all the pastors buy his books for the congregations, so they are all on my office shelf.
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Post by pianistclare on Mar 20, 2017 2:31:38 GMT
Actually, I'm not realm sure the books are not free, now that I think about it. Much of their materials ate free.
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Post by Professor Q on Mar 20, 2017 7:27:53 GMT
That sounds more like a quote for a tabletop calendar or a bumper sticker rather than a serious theological point.  Of course, it can always be qualified: "Those who read the Bible in conformity with the teachings of the Church are more likely to make good decisions on matters of faith and morals". Or maybe I just need to read more 2 Chronicles to improve my diagnostic or parenting decisions.  |
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Post by upupandaway on Mar 21, 2017 14:25:36 GMT
Thank you all for your perspectives. I'm relieved to discover I'm not the only one who went "say what?" when they read that. As Clare pointed out, the statement is oversimplified. I would buy "People who regularly read the Bible have additional tools at their disposal that could lead them to make better decisions" but that doesn't exactly roll off the tongue, does it? Still, do X and the result is Y doesn't always apply here. It's certainly not a global indicator, in any event. We have the free will to ignore good counsel even if it's staring us in the face. Matthew Kelly has had his ups and downs with me, but halfway through Lent I have added over 37 pages of personal reflections in my spiritual journal, experienced more than just a handful of "a-ha!" moments and realized I'm not as wonderful as I thought I was (I say this joyfully, in fact, as I've been wandering around with the absurd idea that I'm doing a great job improving myself while all the time feeling like I've overlooked something - at least now I know I wasn't imagining that). So I guess on balance there's more that is valuable than useless for me. YMMV. By the way, sorry to throw this out there then disappear for two days. As Lent progresses, this is likely to happen more frequently and for longer periods. Duty calls and all that  I'm probably the only pers that doesn't particularly care to read Matthew Kelly That's okay. I'm probably the only person who hates hot wings and spare ribs. Vive la différence !  |
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? hmmmm
Of course, it can always be qualified: "Those who read the Bible in conformity with the teachings of the Church are more likely to make good decisions on matters of faith and morals". Or maybe I just need to read more 2 Chronicles to improve my diagnostic or parenting decisions. 
