Why Aren't Catholics Encouraged to Read Their Bible?

Why Aren't Catholics Encouraged to Read Their Bible?

From Ask Dr. E by Michael Easley

April 16, 2026 · 14 min · Episode 292

About this episode

Dr. Michael Easley discusses why many Catholics do not read the Bible and the historical context behind it.

Why don’t many Catholics read the Bible—and are they actually discouraged from it? In this episode of Ask Dr. E, Dr. Michael Easley answers a thoughtful question from a listener who grew up Catholic and now wonders why Scripture often feels unfamiliar or inaccessible within that tradition. Dr. Easley walks through church history, including the impact of the Council of Trent, and explains how authority over biblical interpretation has traditionally been handled in the Catholic Church. Dr. Easley and Hanna discuss why every believer needs to engage Scripture personally, how the Protestant Reformation reshaped access to the Bible, and why studying God’s Word should happen in three key ways: individually, in community, and with trusted teachers. If you’ve ever wondered: Why don’t Catholics read the Bible as much? Who has the authority to interpret Scripture? Can I understand the Bible on my own? How should Christians study God’s Word today? This episode will help you think biblically and practically about the role of Scripture in your life. 👉 The bottom line: God gave us His Word to be read, understood, and lived. Chapters 00:00 Intro 00:22 Listener Question: Why Don’t Catholics…

People in this episode

Host: Michael Easley

Guest: Hanna

Topics covered

  • Catholicism
  • Bible reading
  • Scripture interpretation
  • Protestant Reformation
  • Church history
  • Personal Bible study

Keywords

  • Catholics
  • Bible
  • Scripture
  • Council of Trent
  • Protestant Reformation
  • interpretation
  • faith
  • personal study

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Catholic Church

More episodes of Ask Dr. E

Explore listener stats, chart rankings, contacts and more on the Ask Dr. E podcast page.