How to Read the Bible Catholic Approaches to

How to Read the Bible? Catholic Approaches to Biblical Interpretation Felix Just, S. J. , Ph. D. Loyola Institute for Spirituality – Orange, CA http: //catholic-resources. org

Should Catholics read the Bible? u Common Warning before Vatican II – DON’T read the Bible! u Why Not? – Too dangerous! Too easy to misunderstand! – Just listen to what Sister or Father tells you about it. u New Emphasis since just before Vatican II: – DO read the Bible, but humbly, carefully, prayerfully!

A Key Question: • Should Catholics Read the Bible Literally? – Do we accept the Literal Interpretation of the Bible? • Answer: YES! (Are you surprised? ) • Distinctions: – “Literal” but not “literalistic” (not naively; not as fundamentalists) – “Literal” means “according to the letter” Bible is

What Is “Fundamentalism”? • Five “Fundamentals” of Christian Doctrine (1890’s, Prot. ) 1. Literal Inerrancy of the Bible (interpreted 100% factually) 2. Virgin Birth & Deity of Jesus 3. Substitutionary Atonement (Jesus’ death) 4. Bodily Resurrection of Jesus 5. Imminent Return of Jesus • Popular Appeal of Fundamentalism: – simplistic answers to complex questions – meaning of texts is obvious? – people crave certainty (don’t want ambiguity or complexity)

5 Principles of Catholic Biblical Interp. 1. “Incarnational Theology” Core (God’s Self. Revelation!) vs. bibliolatry, over-emphasis on Bible as text 2. “Both / And” Approach to Christian Theology vs. one-sided over-emphasis or neglect 3. “Ecclesial Guidance” for Proper Understanding vs. individualistic mis-interpretations 4. “Literary Genres” are Diverse/Complex vs. modernist / historicist assumptions

Principles of Catholic Interpretation (1) Incarnational Principle: God’s Self. Revelation • “Revelation” = God’s “self-communication” in/to world – In multiple stages: more and more explicit over time • “Tradition” = “passing on” God’s revelation to future – In multiple stages: gradually more explicit and

Principles of Catholic Interpretation (1) Incarnational Theology is the Core & Climax • “Word of God” is not just a book (Bible), but Jesus! – Jesus is the Pinnacle of God’s Self-Revelation to the World – “God sent his only-begotten Son…” (John 3: 16) • Incarnation: “The Word became Flesh…” (John 1: 14) – Jesus of Nazareth = both Son of God and Son of Mary

Principles of Catholic Interpretation (2) The “BOTH / AND” Approach is Foundational: – Applies to Theology in general, Scripture in particular – Heads/Tails, Positive/Negative, North/South Examples from Theology: – God is both transcendent and immanent – Jesus is both fully human and fully divine – The Eucharist is both a meal and a sacrifice Problems/Errors with One-Sided Overemphases:

Principles of Catholic Interpretation (2) The “BOTH / AND” Approach is Foundational: – Bible is both the Word of God and authored by humans – Bible contains both Old Testament and New Testament – Bible is both studied academically and prayed liturgically – Bible is used both individually and communally – Bible has both literal and spiritual meanings (4 fold meaning) Caution: Read it literally (as literature of various

Principles of Catholic Interpretation (3) “Ecclesial” Guidance is Necessary • Jesus, Disciples, Holy Spirit, Church: – All came before the Bible was written and compiled! – The Church (guided by the Holy Spirit) created the Bible, not only vice-versa! • Church community helps us understand the texts: – Homilies, Books, Courses, Bible Study, Scripture Sharing Groups, etc. – Personal interpretation should not conflict with Church Tradition – Popes and Bishops are the guarantors of the Church’s

Official Church Documents: • Pope Pius XII: Divino Afflante Spiritu (1943) • Second Vatican Council: Dei Verbum (1965) • Pontifical Biblical Commission: – “Historical Truth of the Gospels” (1964) – “The Interpretation of the Bible in the Church” (1993) • Catechism of Catholic Church (1994; 2 nd ed. 1997) – In section on “The Profession of Faith” (par. 51 -141)

Principles of Catholic Interpretation (4) Awareness of Literary Genres is Crucial: • “GENRE”= category or type of literature (or art, music, etc. ) – characterized by a particular form, style, or content. • Many publications contain multiple genres: – Ex: Newspapers have news articles, editorials, comics, obituaries, sports results, financial reports, classified ads, movie reviews, etc. • The Bible is not just one “book, ” but a whole “library” – It contains many different literary genres, not just

Hebrew Bible Genres • Myths & Legends (Genesis, parts of Exodus, Numbers, Deuteronomy) • Legal Codes (Leviticus, parts of Exodus, Numbers, Deuteronomy) • • Genealogies (parts of Genesis, much of Numbers) Annals (Josh, Judges, 1 & 2 Samuel, 1 & 2 Kings, etc. ) Prophetic Books (Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, etc. ) Psalms/Odes/Songs (Psalms) Prayers/Laments (Lamentations) Proverbs (Proverbs) Wisdom Literature (Job, Wisdom, etc. ) Apocalypse (Daniel)

New Testament Genres • • • Gospels (Mark, Matthew, Luke, John) Acts (Acts of the Apostles) Letters (esp. Paul's) Church Orders (1 Timothy, Titus) Testament (2 Timothy & 2 Peter) Homily/Sermon (Hebrews) Wisdom Collection (James) Epistles/Encyclicals (1 & 2 Peter) Apocalypse (Revelation to John) • Many more sub-genres, esp. within the Gospels

What is “Truth”? • There are different KINDS of “Truth”: – Historical: Pearl Harbor was bombed on Dec. 7, 1941. – Conventional: My name is Felix. – Scientific: The earth revolves around the sun. – Mathematical: 2 + 3 = 5 – Theological: God is love. • All of these are “true” – but not all are “historical” – So, the whole Bible is true, but not all the Bible is

Literary Genres - Applications • Did God create the whole world in only six days? – What is the literary genre of Genesis 1? • Was Jonah really in the belly of a whale for 3 days? – What is the literary genre of the Book of Jonah? • Was Daniel really thrown into a Lion’s Den? – What is the literary genre of the Book of Daniel? • Is the “Parable of the Vineyard Workers” really fair?

Principles of Catholic Interpretation (5) Historical-Critical Exegesis is Essential: • Ex-egesis = “leading out” (drawing the intended meaning out of the text) – Vs. eis-egesis (putting your own pre-formed opinions into the text) – “Critical” = asking analytical questions (not just “critiquing”) • Consider multiple levels of both Content and Context: – Historical / Literal Content & Spiritual / Theological Content – Historical Context (surrounding world) & Literary Context (surrounding text)

Principles of Catholic Interpretation (5) Results of Exegesis available to nonspecialists: • Study Bibles: – Catholic Study Bible, New Jerusalem Bible, Harper. Collins SB • Bible Dictionaries: – Harper. Collins, Eerdmans, Anchor, Interpreter’s, etc. • Bible Commentaries: – One-Vol: New Jerome BC, Harper. Collins,

Principles of Catholic Interpretation (5) Biblical Exegesis shows Theological Developments, even within the Bible itself. For example: Polytheism (there are many gods, with different roles) Henotheism (our God is better than all other gods) Monotheism (there is one and only one true God) Trinitarian Monotheism (one God is Father, Son, Spirit)

Principles of Catholic Interpretation (5) Biblical Exegesis also shows Moral Developments: • Ancient Cultures: escalating retribution – Strike back hard! If you kill one of us, we’ll kill ten of you! • Hebrew Bible: limited retribution – “Eye for eye, tooth for tooth, life for life”? – Exod 21: 23 -24; Lev 24: 19 -20; Deut 19: 21 – Literal meaning? Historical context? • New Testament: NO retribution!

Applications to “Difficult Texts” • The Bible says, “There is no God!” – At least three times! Ps 10: 4; 14: 1; 53: 1 – Literary context? – Literal meaning?

Applications to “Difficult Texts” • Does the Bible contradict itself? – “They shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruning hooks…” (Isaiah 2: 4; Micah 4: 3) – “Beat your plowshares into swords, and your pruning hooks into spears…” (Joel 3: 10)

Applications to “Difficult Texts” • Did Jesus have “Brothers & Sisters”? (Mark 6: 3) – Literal meaning? – Historical context?

Applications to “Difficult Texts” • “Pluck out your eyes, cut off your hands/feet? ” (Matt 5: 29 -30 & 18: 8 -9) – Literary genre / form / type? – Literal meaning? – Historical context?

Applications to “Difficult Texts” • “Don’t call anyone on earth ‘father’ ”? (Matt 23: 8) – Literary genre / form / type? – Literal meaning? – Literary and Historical context?

Applications to “Difficult Texts” • Should women wear veils in church? (1 Cor 11: 4 -10) – Literal meaning? – Historical context?

Applications to “Difficult Texts” • Your Examples? – Literal/original meaning? – Spiritual/theological meaning? – Literary genre/type? – Historical context? – Literary context? – Canonical context?

Summary / Review 1. “Incarnational Theology” Core (God’s Self. Revelation!) vs. bibliolatry, over-emphasis on Bible as text 2. “Both / And” Approach to Christian Theology vs. one-sided over-emphasis or neglect 3. “Ecclesial Guidance” for Proper Understanding vs. individualistic mis-interpretations 4. “Literary Genres” are Diverse/Complex vs. modernist / historicist assumptions 5. “Historical-Critical” Exegesis is Essential

Catholic Teachings on Biblical Interpretation: Vatican II: Dei Verbum Fr. Felix Just, S. J. , Ph. D. Loyola Institute for Spirituality, Orange, CA http: //catholic-resources. org

Dei Verbum (Vatican II) “Preface” u The WORD of GOD! u Hearing it with Reverence; Proclaiming it with Faith u Quotation of 1 John 1: 2 -3 u In the footsteps of Trent and Vatican I u Authentic doctrine on divine revelation “and how it is handed on” (Lat. transmissione)

Ecumenical Councils & The Bible: u Council of Trent (1545 -63) – Session IV (4/8/46) – Q: Biblical Canon & Authorized Translations? – vs. Protestants who omitted books & made vernacular transl. u First Vatican Council (1869 -70) – Dei Filius – Q: Relationship between Scripture & REASON? – vs. both Fideists (faith alone) & Rationalists (reason alone)

Official Catholic Documents: u Pope Pius XII: Divino Afflante Spiritu (1943) u. Vatican u Pontifical II: Dei Verbum (1965) Biblical Commission: – “Historical Truth of the Gospels” (1964) – “The Interpretation of the Bible in the Church” (1993) u Catechism of the Catholic Church (1994; 2 nd ed. 1997) – In section on “The Profession of Faith” (par. 51 -141) u Synod of Bishops: “Word of God in Life/Mission of

Council of Trent: Session IV (1546) u First Conciliar List of the Canon of the Bible: – 46 OT books (incl. 7+ “Deutero-canonicals”) – 27 NT books (luckily, same as Protestants!) – Official: Latin Vulgate! u Norms for Translations: – Done by Catholic scholars – Approved by Bishop(s)

Vatican I (1869 -70) – Dei Filius u SCRIPTURE & REASON are COMPATIBLE: – Vs. Rationalists (reason alone) – Vs. Fideists (faith alone) u BOTH/AND Approach! – Heads & Tails – Science & Religion – Creation & Evolution

Vatican II (196265) u Four Main “Constitutions” – Sacrosanctum Concilium: Const. on the Sacred Liturgy – Lumen Gentium: Dogmatic Const. on the Church – Dei Verbum: Dogmatic Constitution on Divine Revelation – Gaudium et Spes: Pastoral Const. on the Church in the Modern World

Vat II: Dei Verbum – very short! GS: Church in Mod. World (24, 076) DV: Dogm. Divine Revelation (3, 420) LG: Dogm. Church (17, 489+912) PC: Religious Life (3406) AG: Mission Activity (9961) OT: Priestly Training (3118) SC: Sacred Liturgy (8, 066+182) OE: East. Rite Churches (1911+912) PO: Ministry & Life of Priests (8112) GE: Christian Education (2735) AA: Apostolate of the Laity (7254) DH: Religious Freedom (3307) IM: Social Communications (2312)

Dei Verbum = “Word of God” (Vatican II, 1965) Preface (§ 1) 1) Revelation Itself (§§ 2 -6) 2) Transmission of Divine Revelation (§§ 7 -10) 3) Sacred Scripture, Its Divine Inspiration and Interpretation (§§ 11 -13) 4) The Old Testament (§§ 14 -16) 5) The New Testament (§§ 17 -20) 6) Sacred Scripture in the Life of the Church (§§ 21 -26)

Catechism of the Catholic Church Dei Verbum "Dogmatic Constitution on Divine Revelation" The Profession of Faith: "I Believe" - "We Believe" (Second Vatican Council - Nov. 18, 1965) Chapters: Article 1: The Revelation of God (§§ 51 -73) Preface (§ 1) 1) Revelation (Part One, Section One, Chapter Two - §§ 51 -141) 1. Itself (§§ 2 -6) God Reveals His "Plan of Loving Goodness" The Stages of Revelation Christ Jesus - "Mediator and Fullness of All Revelation" 2) The 2. 3) Sacred Article 2: The Transmission of Divine Revelation (§§ 7 -10) Scripture, Its Divine Inspiration and Interpretation (§§ 11 -13) 4) The Old Testament 3. (§§ 74 -100) 1. 2. (§§ 14 -16) 5) The New Testament (§§ 17 -20) 3. Apostolic Tradition The Relationship between Tradition & Sacred Scripture The Interpretation of the Heritage of Faith Article 3: Sacred Scripture (§§ 101 -141)

Dei Verbum (Vatican II) – Chap. 1, Par. 2 -6 “Revelation Itself” u God reveals HIMSELF to us, in deeds & words u Four Main Stages of GOD’s SELFRevelation: 1) God’s Revelation through all of Creation 2) God’s Revelation to / through the Human Race 3) God’s Revelation to / through the Chosen

Dei Verbum (Vatican II) – Chap. 2, Par. 7 -10 “Transmission of Divine Revelation” u Stages in the TRANSMISSION of God’s Self. Revelation: 1) Historical Events (Jesus’ words & deeds) 2) Oral Traditions (apostles preach, hand on; Lat. traditio) 3) Written Accounts (scriptures composed; Lat. scriptus) 4) Biblical Collections gradually canonized,

Dei Verbum (Vatican II) – Chap. 3 “Sacred Scripture…” u Sacred = holy, dedicated, “set apart” – “Inspired” by God; religious purpose: goal of salvation u Scripture = “writings” (esp. religious) – Broader term than “Bible” (for Jews & Christians) – Other religions have other “scriptures” u Sacred Scripture = foundational religious documents – Hebrew Bible = Tanak, Old Testament

Scripture < Tradition < Revelation u Not separate or opposed to each other Revelation Tradition Scripture u Bible contains Rev. , but not all Rev. is in the Bible ! – Bible is “core” revelation; so no conflicts with other revs. – We don’t need more “public” revs. (but “private” revs. OK) u What is the “Word of God” ?

Revelation Tradition Scripture

Scripture Alone?

Scripture and Tradition?

Tradition and Scripture

Scripture vs. Tradition? u Not really separate or next to each other: – Scripture on one side? – Tradition on the other? u Rather, Scripture is a part of Tradition: – “Tradition” existed before the Bible was written – “Tradition” continued after the Bible was written – The Bible is an important “Core” of Tradition – Scripture & Tradition interact with each other

Dei Verbum (Vatican II) – Chap. 3, Par. 11 -13 Biblical “Inspiration” u Application of “BOTH / AND” Approach: – Bible is both “Word of God” and written in human language – God is the author and human writers were “true authors” u Implications of “Human” Language: – Limitations of all language; difficulties of translations – Note literary forms; characteristic modes of expression

Dei Verbum (Vatican II) – Chap. 4, Par. 14 - 16 “The Old Testament” u 14: For Salvation of ALL, God chose a special people – – u Covenant with Abraham Covenant, thru Moses, with people of Israel God speaks thru Prophets OT remains permanently valuable 15: Purpose of OT: to prepare for the coming of Christ – OT books “contain some things which are incomplete and temporary” – Divine Pedagogy: sense of God, teachings, wisdom,

Dei Verbum (Vatican II) – Chap. 5, Par. 17 - 20 “The New Testament” u 17: Word of God = Word made Flesh – Jesus’ words and deeds; death, resurrection, ascension, Holy Spirit u 18: Within Bible, the Gospels have a special preeminence – Four Gospels are of “apostolic origin” – Four-fold Gospel (sg. !), according to Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John u 19: Historical Character of the Gospels – Gospels “faithfully hand on what Jesus Christ… really did and taught” – After Ascension, Apostles gain “clearer understanding”

Dei Verbum (Vatican II) – Chap. 6, Par. 21 -26 “Scripture in the Life of the Church” u 21: Church venerates Scriptures just as she venerates the Lord’s body (!); she receives & offers “bread of life from the table both of God’s word & of Christ’s body” u 22: Provide “easy access” thru translations: Greek LXX; Latin Vulgate; modern langs. u 23: Deeper understanding; study; exegesis u 24: Scripture is foundation for all theology, preaching, catechesis, etc.

Dei Verbum (Vatican II) – Chap. 6, Par. 21 -26 “Scripture in the Life of the Church” u Communal / Liturgical: – Esp. Eucharist; other sacraments, “Liturgy of the Hours” – Preaching, Theology, Religious Ed, Group Prayer u Lectionary for Mass: Three-year Sunday cycle: – A: Matthew; B: Mark; u Individual: C: Luke; ? John ?

DEI VERBUM: Summary / Review 1) GOD’s Self-REVELATION (in many ways) 2) TRADITION: Transmission of Divine Revelation 3) SCRIPTURE, Inspiration, Interpretation 4) The Old Testament

Biblical References: Caution! n Book Names & Abbreviations n n n n Ex vs. Ezr Hb vs. Heb Jon vs. Jn Phil vs. Phlm Ti vs. Tim Jn 1 vs. 1 Jn 1 Cor vs. Cor 1 ? n Chapter & Verse Numbers n n n n John 9: 12 John 9, 12 John 9: 1 -12 John 9: 1; 12: 36 John 9: 1 -12, 36 John 9: 1— 12: 36

Official Catholic Documents on Biblical Interpretation: PBC: “The Interpretation of the Bible in the Church” Felix Just, S. J. , Ph. D. http: //catholic-resources. org

“The Interpretation of the Bible in the Church” Pontifical Biblical Commission, 1993 • Preface • Introduction • I. Methods and Approaches for Interpretation • II. Hermeneutical Questions • III. Characteristics of Catholic Interpretation • IV. Interpretation of the Bible in the Life of the Church

“The Interpretation of the Bible in the Church” PBC, 1993 Part I – “Methods and Approaches for Interpretation” A) The Historical-Critical Method B) New Methods for Literary Analysis C) Approaches Based on Tradition D) Approaches That Use Human Sciences E) Contextual Approaches F) Fundamentalist Approach

Methods of Exegesis (in PBC-IBC) A) The Historical-Critical Method • Composition Historical Questions • Traditional Literary Criticism • Comparison of Translations • Textual Criticism • Source Criticism • Form Criticism • Redaction Criticism • Socio-Historical Criticism

Methods of Exegesis (in PBC-IBC) B) New Methods of Literary Analysis • Rhetorical Analysis • Narrative Analysis • Semiotic Analysis C) Approaches Based on Tradition • Canonical Approach • Using Jewish Interpretative Traditions • History of Interpretation (Wirkungsgeschichte)

Methods of Exegesis (in PBC-IBC) D) Approaches Using the Human Sciences • Sociological Approach • Cultural Anthropology Approach • Psychological/Psychoanalytical Apps. E) Contextual Approaches • Liberationist Approach • Feminist Approach

Methods of Exegesis • Question: – Which of these Methods is the “Catholic” Approach? • Answer: – All of them, but none of them exclusively – Each approach has advantages & benefits – Each approach has drawbacks, esp. if used in isolation • One Exception: – The Fundamentalist Approach: But WHY?

F) Critique of Fundamentalism • It’s not really an “exegetical method” – but basically the rejection of any historical-critical exegesis • Critique in PBC’s “Interp. of the Bible in the Church” – surprisingly strong language: “intellectual suicide” • Other critiques by U. S. Bishops – USCCB, 1987 – Mississippi & Alabama, 1989 – For texts, see http: //catholic-

Response to Fundamentalism • Useless to argue about specific texts – Fundamentalism has lots of seemingly easy answers • Rather, address the foundational principles: – Both/and approach, vs. fundamentalism’s onesidedness – Acceptance of mystery, ambiguity, complexity – Basis in faith / trust in God (vs. desire for absolute “proof”)

Questions? Discussion? • Reminder / Caution: – Not: Catholic vs. Protestant! – But: Historical-Critical Study vs. Fundamentalism! • Questions from Participants? – Your experiences with Fundamentalists? • For more information: – Ronald D. Witherup, Biblical Fundamentalism: What Every Catholic Should Know (Liturgical Press, 2001).

Biblical Interpretation: Fundamentalism vs. Scientific / Historical / Catholic Approaches to the Bible Felix Just, S. J. , Ph. D. Loyola Institute for Spirituality – Orange, CA http: //catholic-resources. org

Fundamentalist Biblical Interpretation • Sola Scriptura – Bible is the sole authority – Bible contains all we need for life – Bible plainly says what it means, and means what it says – Bible is inerrant: it contains no errors of any kind – Bible authority remains valid for all time, for all people – Bible prophecy is intended primarily for our own time • Critique: Is “sola scriptura” a biblical

Fundamentalism vs. Catholicism: Ronald D. Witherup, Biblical Fundamentalism (p. 47) Fundamentalist Perspective: The Bible is the Word of God Scripture alone Catholic Perspective: Emphasis on literalist reading of the Bible Tends to view inspiration narrowly Emphasis on literal (not literalist) reading and deeper meanings Tends to take a broad view of inspiration The Bible is God’s Word in human words Scripture and Tradition

Fundamentalism vs. Catholicism: Witherup, Biblical Fundamentalism (p. 47) – cont. Fundamentalist Perspective: Inerrancy of the Bible in all matters Lack of historical perspective in interpretation Frequent interpretations out of context Catholic Perspective: No errors in the Bible only on matters of faith & morals Historical perspective is essential for interpretation Need interpretations in context, esp. the context of the canon

Fundamentalism vs. Catholicism: Witherup, Biblical Fundamentalism (p. 47) – cont. Fundamentalist Perspective: Denies role of the Church in canonization of Scripture Tends to ignore history of interpretation Narrow & precise prophetic eschatology, linked to a timeline Rejects scientific historical Catholic Perspective: Recognizes role of Church in canonization process History of interpretation is essential Broad & imprecise eschatology not linked to a specific timeline Accepts scientific

Caution: -isms vs. -ists • Fundamental-ISM is not compatible with Catholicism – Fundamentalism uses the Sola/Only/One-Sided Approach – Catholicism stresses the Both/And Approach • BUT: Fundamental-ISTS can still be good people! – Not all Fundamentalists adopt strict Fundamentalism – Just like not all Catholics embody Catholicism

Responding to Fundamentalists Witherup, Biblical Fundamentalism (pp. 65 -73) • Some suggested DO’s and DON’Ts • First the DO’s 1. DO educate yourself on the Bible 2. DO always read the Bible in context 3. DO recognize the limitations of talking with fundamentalists 4. DO capitalize on the Catholic tradition 5. DO encourage good preaching from the Bible 6. DO promote a good community spirit in your parish 7. DO become comfortable with expressing your

Responding to Fundamentalists Witherup, Biblical Fundamentalism (pp. 65 -73) • DON’Ts 1. DO NOT succumb to the temptation to make apologetics the answer (i. e. , not the main or only response) 2. DO NOT make your interpretation THE interpretation (i. e. , not the one and only interpretation) 3. DO NOT ridicule fundamentalism 4. DO NOT take fundamentalism lightly 5. DO NOT give up hope