How to Read Your Bible Like a Catholic (w/ Dr. John Bergsma)

In this episode of The Cordial Catholic, I'm joined by Dr. John Bergsma, biblical theologian, professor, author, and Catholic convert, to talk about how to read the Bible like a Catholic, from the heart of the Church.
We begin by digging into Dr. Bergma's wonderful conversion journey - as a Protestant pastor and biblical theologian, he decided to become Catholic - and, from there, discuss how the Catholic Church understands, interprets, and makes use of the Bible. And how it was originally meant to be used. We contrast this with how Dr. Bergsma understood and taught from the Bible as a Protestant pastor - and we dig into how we, as Catholic, can understand it's place in the Liturgy and the Church today!
For more from Dr. Bergsma visit: www.johnbergsma.com
To purchase any of John's fine books visit: www.stpaulcenter.com
To listen to a longer version of Dr. Bergma's conversion story, check out this episode of the podcast, which was recorded before we added video: www.buzzsprout.com/268742/441...
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[@ellenandrews9486]

As a recent re-vert to the Catholic church, having spent most of my life in Protestant churches, this helped me to see more clearly how Catholics and Protestants approach scripture differently. This also was a wonderful explanation of how the readings in the Catholic mass are chosen and joined together into a unified whole. Excellent discussion. Thank you.

[@TheCordialCatholic]

Thank you for watching and your kind remarks. Welcome back!

[@tonygomes6306]

Former Catholic, former Baptist (30+) now Catholic, back home.... The Eucharist and The Queen of Heaven brought back....

[@jonatasmachado7217]

As a Baptist, son and grandson of well meaning Baptist church Pastors, I was raised as an anti-catholic. Now I came to realize that Catholic doctrine is authentic Christian doctrine, deeper and more consistent than I ever imagined. I came to love and appreciate the Catholic Church. Protestantism is inherently subjective, chaotic and divisive. Orthodoxy is inherently ethnic and nationalist.

[@MrPeach1]

are you a former Baptist now?

[@billsmith147]

Please give me an example where Catholic Doctrine is deeper and more consistent and more authentic than Christian doctrine?

[@garycorn5289]

Hi Keith, I am a graduate of Calvin College who, like John, has become Catholic. I remember John from Calvin. I wonder if he would know any other Calvin grads who have become Catholic.

[@robertdolcetti450]

Given that Calvin’s full name was John Calvin, this comment gave me a stroke.

[@st3383]

I’m cradle Catholic but went to Calvin College (class of 2003).

[@carakerr4081]

Thank you for this excellent interview God bless you both 🙏

[@cantrait7311]

Great interview, you have a talent I’m sure you’ll site will grow exponentially. Love Dr. Bergsma read many of his excellent books. Recommend Yes there is a God, great book for your children.

[@TheCordialCatholic]

Thank you for your kind words. 🙏

[@R.C.425]

Your videos are always so informative and enjoyable to watch. Thank you

[@fulgentius371]

Such a brilliant conversation....

[@TheCordialCatholic]

He’s a brilliant scholar!

[@MrJoebrooklyn1969]

This was awesome!!!

[@virgil015]

This was excellent! Great guest. Great job with the questions. Great show.

[@rosiegirl2485]

I'm sorry, the interview just ended, and I want more! Thank you for bringing Dr. Bergsma on, I totally enjoy him. I also would agree that he is your nicest, and kindest, guest! I found your channel through an interview with Austin, and happy to say that I subscribed. Austin intrigues me. He seems to be firmly rooted as a Protestant...BUT... I think he is way to smart to stay that way! I dont see him converting anytime soon, for the fact that he is rooted in by cement! Though I truly think the foundation will crumble, reluctantly, and with a considerable amount of time! I think the Pope is a big stumbling block for him...but I trust that he will get there, God willing! 🌷

[@TheCordialCatholic]

Thanks so much for watching and subscribing!

[@alancouvillion6320]

Well balanced I am impressed with this !

[@TheCordialCatholic]

Thank you! 🙏

[@jonathanbohl]

An excellent guest! 👍

[@TheCordialCatholic]

I agree!

[@jesusescoto6200]

It could have been better should your interviewee be the one to tell most of his encounter and how he is now as Catholic in line with Catholic teaching in comparison with his former protestant faith

[@stmartin17773]

43m40sec lol 61m The New Testament (Covenant) *is* the Eucharist.

[@rosiegirl2485]

Why dont Protestants read early Church Fathers, as a rule. It seems they read only chosen Father's. If I were a Protestant, I would want to know. Afterall, your soul is at stake!

[@dsonyay]

They can’t do that- the earliest Church Fathers were Catholic- can you imagine Baptists reading Iraneous of Antioch instructing the Christians at Smyrna to not associate with anyone denying the physical presence of Jesus in the Eucharist? And then calling them heretics?? :)

[@billsmith147]

How can you read the Bible, see clearly the conflict with a Doctrine of the Church and what Christ or one of the Apostles is saying and still believe the Hierarchy of the Church? Take for example 1 JOHN 7-9 is in conflict with the Doctrine of Purgatory developed by the Church in 1264 AD. 7 But if we walk in the light as he is in the light, then we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of his Son Jesus *cleanses us from all sin* 8 If we say, “We are without sin,” we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. 9 If we acknowledge our sins, *he is faithful and just and will forgive our sins and cleanse us from every wrongdoing*

[@TheCordialCatholic]

Purgatory has nothing to do with forgiving or cleansing us from our sins but everything to do with the attachment to sin. I think you misunderstand what Catholics believe about purgatory.

[@billsmith147]

@@TheCordialCatholic Typical Catholic, when you are short on an answer, you make it up as you go. Showing me anything that validates your answer in Scripture? I'm a Catholic with a Catholic College education, 4 years of painful years theology classes, there is no justification for the doctrine of Purgatory. The NAB Bible is running away from the Doctrine of Purgatory every argument of Catholic Apologetics is blown away by their study notes.

[@jesusescoto6200]

You should let the interviewee do his narrative. You consumed most of the time, instead of your guest.

[@richardjackson7887]

You have to be kidding, if you are not reading the Word of God as a son of God , then you are not a son but an illegitimate child.

[@TheCordialCatholic]

Nah dawg, I’m reading the Bible from the heart of the Church that made it. 🙏

[@richardjackson7887]

@@TheCordialCatholic God made it bro. To say other wise comes from the serpent! Do you not yet understand Nebuchadnezzar's dream. Or is it you avoid what you do not want people to know. When you understand who the serpent is, you will understand why you still believe his lie..

[@richardjackson7887]

@@TheCordialCatholic Before you take your last breath I hope you come to realize you have the mark of the beast which is why you cannot buy or sell the truth..but it's not to late yet!

[@richardjackson7887]

@@TheCordialCatholic Joh 14:6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me. now twist this verse as you do so many others and bring more condemnation upon yourself! What would you like for your last meal?

[@Catholiclady3]

​@richardjackson7887 Exactly, he started a church thru the aposltes, and if you jump the fence and don't come thru the door, you are not of his flock.

[@paulsmallwood1484]

Historic Protestantism does not now and has never taught “Bible alone”. I am surprised that a gentlemen of his educational background would continue to promote what he must know is false. If he was honest with his listeners he would point out that Sola Scriptura has nothing to do with biblical exegesis and therefore is not about achieving uniformity. He would also not push out the over used trope that Sola Scriptura simply means that the Bible is a “rule book”. That is utter nonsense. The magisterium of the Roman Catholic Church has not achieved uniformity any more than Sola Scriptura. Millions of Protestants around the world believe that the sacraments are a means of sanctifying grace and that Christ is present in the Eucharist. Millions of Protestants reject the notion of mere symbolism. There are now and were in the early church different views on how Christ is present in the Eucharist. Transubstantiation was not known in the first century. Historic Protestantism does not teach that the entire Bible must be taken literally. Surely this gentleman is being disingenuous when he throws out anti-Protestant caricatures like that. I expected better from him. He just pushes out all the over used tropes and caricatures.

[@sandrametcalfe7483]

I don’t know what Protestant churches you have attended. I have gone to Protestant churches and they all pick and chose what verses they want to believe in. It all depends on the Paster. This is why there are so many different denominations.

[@paulsmallwood1484]

@@sandrametcalfe7483 You may have attended Evangelical churches but many of these fail to meet the criteria for being labeled Protestant. Many Evangelical churches do not refer to themselves as Protestant. Contrary to what you have probably been taught, Protestant means more than simply “not Catholic”. I can assure you that in classical Protestantism (Anglican, Lutheran, Reformed), the pastor doesn’t “get to decide”. Even in Evangelical churches there are theological guard rails in place for church members so no, each person doesn’t get to decide “what to believe” apart from the Eldership of the Church and the doctrinal standards employed by that church. I can almost guarantee you that if you surveyed the statements of Faith published by most Evangelical churches there would be significant uniformity. You are promoting a caricature. If you stopped and asked people coming out of a typical Catholic Mass a substantive question on theology or church teaching, you will most likely get 100 different answers so please let’s be real here.

[@tonyl3762]

He spoke from his own experience. Just because your "high chuch" experience has been very different doesn't mean you should misrepresent what Bergsma was saying. Take it up with your evangelical non-denoms instead of criticizing someone else for sharing their own experience and background. No Catholic would EVER dare accuse sola Scriptura of having anything to do with "achieving uniformity"! lol. Sola Scriptura is the father of endless diversity and thus endless various heresy. So not sure what you're talking about there.... "Transubstantiation was not known in the first century." Bergsma actually proved this false by citing Ignatius who died in the very early 2nd century. The views of Ignatius, Justin Martyr, and Irenaeus are much more directly evocative of transubstantiation than whatever high church variation you subscribe to. Moreover, having seen many of your comments on this channel, you fail to grapple with the necessary issues of authority and unity.

[@georgefuentes4112]

@@tonyl3762nailed it on every point.