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 Read the Bible?

01:26 Dr. Easley’s Catholic Background

02:30 The Role of the Mass and Scripture Readings

03:10 The Council of Trent Explained

04:30 Authority and Interpretation of Scripture

05:35 Protestant Reformation and Justification by Faith

06:45 The Priesthood of All Believers

08:00 Personal Story: Being Told Not to Interpret the Bible

09:30 The Role of the Church Today

10:40 How Christians Should Study the Bible

11:30 Final Encouragement: Read Your Bible

Key Topics Covered

Catholic vs Protestant views of Scripture
The Council of Trent and church authority
Biblical interpretation and the role of the Church
The priesthood of all believers
Justification by faith vs works and sacraments
How to study the Bible personally and in community
Avoiding misinterpretation while growing in faith

Find more episodes of Ask Dr. E here.

If you've got a question for Dr. Easley, call or text us your question at 615-281-9694 or email at question@michaelincontext.com.