Data Over Dogma Close Encounters of the Catholic Kind
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Nov 10, 2025 In this engaging discussion, Michael Peppard, a theology professor at Fordham University and author of 'How Catholics Encounter the Bible', explores how Catholics interact with the Bible beyond reading. He highlights the multisensory experience of Mass and the underrepresentation of women and Judaism in the lectionary. Peppard also examines the role of visual art in conveying biblical narratives and critiques how historical changes, like the Reformation, have shaped Catholic biblical understanding. Join them for a fresh perspective on faith and encounter!
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Encounter Over Private Reading
- Most Catholics rarely read the Bible privately, so 'encounter' better captures how they engage scripture.
- Encounter includes liturgy, art, ritual, and sensory practices that convey biblical meaning without private reading.
Liturgy Trumps Pew Bibles
- Many Catholic worship spaces lack printed Bibles and prioritize a multisensory communal experience.
- The Protestant model of pew Bibles is a historical product of the printing press and Reformation emphasis on private reading.
Epistle And Gospel As Pulpit Sides
- John Dominic Crossan recalled learning 'epistle' and 'gospel' as sides of an altar, not book parts.
- That memory illustrates how liturgy, not texts, framed biblical knowledge for many Catholics.
