Scripture InterpretationScripture Interpretation

The Word of GodThe Word of God

How does Divine inspiration relate?How does Divine inspiration relate?

Dictated word-for-word? Fundamental approach

Guidance to human authors? Contextual approach

Holy Spirit not activeRationalist approach

Dictated word-for-word? Fundamental approach

Guidance to human authors? Contextual approach

Holy Spirit not activeRationalist approach

Fundamental ApproachFundamental Approach

• Does not take into account historical setting or teaching

• Plain reading of Scripture

• Does not take into account historical setting or teaching

• Plain reading of Scripture

Rational ApproachRational Approach

A reasoned scientific analysisA reasoned scientific analysis

Contextual ApproachContextual Approach

Investigate from various perspectives

Investigate from various perspectives

Why starter questions?Why starter questions?

Know what to expectHelps prepare to search

deeperHelps apply message to self

appropriatelyPreparation to put Scripture

into action

Know what to expectHelps prepare to search

deeperHelps apply message to self

appropriatelyPreparation to put Scripture

into action

What are the starter questions?

What are the starter questions?

Who is the author?Who is the intended

audience?What is the time period?What type of writing is it?What is its main purpose?

Who is the author?Who is the intended

audience?What is the time period?What type of writing is it?What is its main purpose?

4 Classical Perspectives

4 Classical Perspectives

o‘Literal’ SenseoAllegorical SenseoMoral SenseoAnagogical Sense

o‘Literal’ SenseoAllegorical SenseoMoral SenseoAnagogical Sense

MagisteriumMagisterium

Definition?Role?Definition?Role?

Divino Afflante SpirituDivino Afflante Spiritu http://www.vatican.va/holy_father/pius_xii/encyclicals/

documents/hf_p-xii_enc_30091943_divino-afflante-spiritu_en.html

“Inspired by the Divine Spirit”1943 Encyclical

Permitted limited use of modern methods of Biblical criticism

http://www.vatican.va/holy_father/pius_xii/encyclicals/documents/hf_p-xii_enc_30091943_divino-afflante-spiritu_en.html

“Inspired by the Divine Spirit”1943 Encyclical

Permitted limited use of modern methods of Biblical criticism

Dei VerbumDei Verbumhttp://www.vatican.va/archive/hist_councils/ii_vatican_council/documents/vat-ii_const_19651118_dei-verbum_en.html

“Word of God”Dogmatic Constitution on Divine

Revelation1965 Vatican II = Conciliar

documentFurther explored use of literary

techniques

http://www.vatican.va/archive/hist_councils/ii_vatican_council/documents/vat-ii_const_19651118_dei-verbum_en.html

“Word of God”Dogmatic Constitution on Divine

Revelation1965 Vatican II = Conciliar

documentFurther explored use of literary

techniques

Interpretation of the Bible in the Church

Interpretation of the Bible in the Church

Pontifical Biblical Commission

Offered several techniques for interpretation

Pontifical Biblical Commission

Offered several techniques for interpretation

Analogy of FaithAnalogy of Faith

Unity in all Church teachingUnity of teaching of entire Bible

Means both Old & New

Unity in all Church teachingUnity of teaching of entire Bible

Means both Old & New

RedactRedact

Editing of sacred storiesAuthors arranged & shapedTo help audience understand

Editing of sacred storiesAuthors arranged & shapedTo help audience understand