Questions

Question first appeared on January 27, 2002
Why can't we, or why don't you tell us to, bring our Bible to Church and then ask us to turn to such and such a passage in the Bible? Then we can learn more about the Bible and become more familiar with it.

Since the Epistle and Gospel lessons are already printed in the Sunday bulletin, you are probably referring to my use of other scriptural text during the homily (sermon) in the Divine Liturgy. There is nothing prohibiting any Orthodox Christian from bringing a Bible or New Testament to Orthodox services should they so choose. But, since the "sermon" or "homily" is not "Bible study," the preacher is not required to educate the faithful on the use of the Bible during the Divine Liturgy. Neither is he required to use or cite additional scriptural text outside of the proscribed readings for the day.

The late Fr. Alexander Schmemann clearly explains in his book, The Eucharist, exactly what the sermon is and is not: "...the genuine sermon is neither simply an explanation of what was read by knowledgeable and competent persons, nor a transmission to the listeners of the theological knowledge of the preacher, nor a meditation "apropos" of the gospel text. In general, it is not a sermon about the gospel ("on a gospel theme"), but the preaching of the gospel itself." The preacher or homilist may choose to cite scripture in order to clarify the preaching of the gospel, but the sermon is not the time for Bible Study.

Our parish does provide many opportunities for study of the Bible. First and foremost is the Bible Study on Sunday evening. Additional instruction can be found in our Church School classes for youth and adults, and our periodic topical classes and retreats.