Question: May and must God's word be read by everyone?

[Carbon]

Since the word of God has been given to the Church and thus to every member of the church, it follows that it must also be read by everyone.

Roman Catholism has and does expend much energy to make scripture obscure and to remove it out of the hands of the people. Their errors become clearly evident in this practice because they seek to make the people entirely dependent upon the pope, his cardinals, ecclesiastical assemblies, bishops, and priests.
In fact, the Council of Trent expressly forbade the reading of the bible. We on the contrary, consider this to be a dreadful act of ecclesiastical robbery, whereby the way to heaven is closed. We maintain therefore that every man, learned or unlearned, may and must read the Word of God.

The church has never forbidden the reading of God's word. This horrible edict finds its origin in the Council of Trent which was not an orthodox but an anti-Christian ecclesiastical assembly.

And consider what God Himself says about His word:
6 And these words that I command you today shall be on your heart. 7 You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise. 8 You shall bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes. 9 You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates. Deut 6:6-9.

 

[makesends]

In fact, the Council of Trent expressly forbade the reading of the bible. We on the contrary, consider this to be a dreadful act of ecclesiastical robbery, whereby the way to heaven is closed. We maintain therefore that every man, learned or unlearned, may and must read the Word of God.

Or at least to hear it read, on as regular a basis as possible, and for as long as they might wish, if the reader is reasonably able.

BTW, not all are capable of reading, nor is it available in all languages yet. But yes, in principle, you are right. The Word of God is written for everyone to meditate on and to study and to use for worship and for everything else it claims concerning itself, "for which it was sent".

 

[LeviR]

How would we know whether something someone says be true or not?

 

[makesends]

How would we know whether something someone says be true or not?

Who are you asking, and why?

 

[LeviR]

Who are you asking, and why?

There’s a lot being said. Who’s telling the truth? And how do we know?

 

[Carbon]

Or at least to hear it read, on as regular a basis as possible, and for as long as they might wish, if the reader is reasonably able.

BTW, not all are capable of reading, nor is it available in all languages yet. But yes, in principle, you are right. The Word of God is written for everyone to meditate on and to study and to use for worship and for everything else it claims concerning itself, "for which it was sent".

This is all concerning believers of course.

 

[Carbon]

How would we know whether something someone says be true or not?

By the written word of course.

 

[makesends]

There’s a lot being said. Who’s telling the truth? And how do we know?

Scripture is always the final authority. And that is not by any one man's interpretation of it.

 

[makesends]

This is all concerning believers of course.

At least believers, as far as the point of the OP, I think. But the gospel and the word of God should also be available to be read/heard/studied by those who are not believers.

 

[Carbon]

At least believers, as far as the point of the OP, I think. But the gospel and the word of God should also be available to be read/heard/studied by those who are not believers.

Sure.

But the gospel is for believers.
But of course, the Spirit uses the gospel when calling unbelievers.

 

[makesends]

Sure.

But the gospel is for believers.
But of course, the Spirit uses the gospel when calling unbelievers.

And he uses the Gospel and any scripture to drive away, blind, deafen the reprobate

 

[Mr GLee]

Since the word of God has been given to the Church and thus to every member of the church, it follows that it must also be read by everyone.

Roman Catholism has and does expend much energy to make scripture obscure and to remove it out of the hands of the people. Their errors become clearly evident in this practice because they seek to make the people entirely dependent upon the pope, his cardinals, ecclesiastical assemblies, bishops, and priests.
In fact, the Council of Trent expressly forbade the reading of the bible. We on the contrary, consider this to be a dreadful act of ecclesiastical robbery, whereby the way to heaven is closed. We maintain therefore that every man, learned or unlearned, may and must read the Word of God.

The church has never forbidden the reading of God's word. This horrible edict finds its origin in the Council of Trent which was not an orthodox but an anti-Christian ecclesiastical assembly.

And consider what God Himself says about His word:
6 And these words that I command you today shall be on your heart. 7 You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise. 8 You shall bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes. 9 You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates. Deut 6:6-9.

Faith the power to hear God not seen. It comes through the eye gate or ear . . .two witnesses as if one .

Isaiah 29:18 And in that day shall the deaf hear the words of the book, and the eyes of the blind shall see out of obscurity, and out of darkness.

Catholicism the seeing eye No hearing ear

 

[Carbon]

How would we know whether something someone says be true or not?

It would seem reasonable if a deaf person trusted a friend to bring them to a good church. God has it all under control.

 

[Carbon]

God has it all under control.

Of the elect, he says He will not loose one.