Posted on 04/13/2013 2:54:16 PM PDT by NYer
VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- The Catholic faith is not centered simply on a book -- the Bible -- but on Jesus Christ, the Word of God made flesh, Pope Francis said.
"The sacred Scriptures are a written testimony to the divine Word," which came before the Bible and exceeds it, the pope said April 12 during a meeting with members of the Pontifical Biblical Commission, an international body of scholars that advises the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith.
Commission members met at the Vatican April 9-12 to conclude work on a document about inspiration and truth in the Bible, which is likely to be published in the coming months.
Archbishop Gerhard Muller, prefect of the doctrinal congregation and president of the commission, told the pope the aim was to help people interpret the Scriptures "in accordance with the nature" of the Bible itself. The focus on "inspiration," he said, was an attempt to explain the divine origin of the Bible and the focus on "truth" was an attempt to describe what the Bible says "about God and his plan for salvation."
The archbishop said the commission recognized that when the church describes the Scriptures as being divinely inspired and true certain "challenges come from the Bible itself," including when passages seem to contradict scientific or historical evidence.
Another challenge, he said, is posed by "the violence in some passages" that seems to contradict basic Christian teaching and even phrases the Bible attributes directly to Jesus.
The point of the document, he said, is to help Catholics "overcome both fundamentalism and skepticism."
Pope Francis said the themes of biblical inspiration and truth are important not only for individual believers, "but for the whole church because its life and mission are based on the Word of God, who animates theology and inspires all of Christian existence."
Interpreting the Bible in an honest and authentic way means respecting its nature and recognizing its purpose, the pope said.
"The texts inspired by God were entrusted to the community of believers, the church of Christ, to increase the faith and guide the life of charity," he said. It is only with the assistance of the Holy Spirit and with full respect for the tradition and teaching of the church that the Scriptures' true meaning can be understood.
Jesus told his disciples, "If you remain in my word you will truly be my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free" (John 8: 31-32). Do you know the truth? All too often we are like the Ethiopian who when asked by the disciple Philip if he understood the passage he was reading in Isaiah, replied, "How can I unless some one guides me" (Acts 8: 17).
Can there be more than one interpretation of the Bible? No. The word "truth" is used several times in the New Testament. However, the plural version of the word "truth" never appears in Scripture. Therefore, there can only be one Truth. So how can there be over 20,000 non-Catholic Christian denominations all claiming to have the "Truth" (i.e., the correct interpretation of the Bible)? For that matter, aren't ALL non-Catholic Christians as individuals claiming "infallibility" when it comes to interpreting the Bible? Catholics only believe in the infallibility of the Papacy as an office. Which is more believable - one office holding infallibility or 400 million non-Catholic Christians who can't agree on the interpretation of Scripture all claiming "infallibility?" When it comes to interpreting Scripture, individual non-Catholic Christians claim the same infallibility as the Papacy. If one were to put two persons of the "same" non-Catholic Christian denomination (i.e., two Presybterians, two Lutherans, two Baptists, etc.) in separate rooms with a Bible and a notepad and ask them to write down their "interpretation" of the Bible, passage for passage, shouldn't they then produce the exact same interpretation? If guided by the Holy Spirit as Scripture states, the answer should be "Yes." But would that really happen? History has shown that the answer is "No." Now, in the case of Catholics, the Church which Christ founded and is with forever (Matthew 28:20) interprets the Bible, as guided by the Holy Spirit, (Mark 13:11) for the "sheep" (the faithful). The Church (not individuals) interpret Scripture. In Catholicism, Scripture is there for meditation, prayer and inspiration, not for individual interpretation to formulate doctrine or dogma.
Another challenge, he said, is posed by "the violence in some passages" that seems to contradict basic Christian teaching and even phrases the Bible attributes directly to Jesus.
The point of the document, he said, is to help Catholics "overcome both fundamentalism and skepticism."
Depending on the intent behind each of the lines above, it is possible for a biblical Christian to have real problems with them. The intent of a biblical Christian is always to be true to the text.
Infallibility is pretty much a uniquely Catholic claim. Individuals making claim of it are generally trying to sell something, usually a magic prayer cloth or some such with vague promises of financial or health miracles in exchange for cash.
If you were to put people of many different Christian faiths in separate rooms and asked them to write down the three (for example) most important principles of Christianity, I’d venture a guess that the result would be pretty common agreement, and in aggregate a fair representation of “the truth”.
Thank you- and God bless you as well. :)
When I was old enough to be confirmed --- that would be when I was 12, and that would be 50 years ago --- I was told I could not receive the Sacrament of Confirmation unless I had a Bible of my own. I was advised to ask for one for Christmas, which I did.
I've never been a member of a parish in 50 years that didn't have Bible studies.
Moreover the entire Liturgical life of the Church --- the Mass, the Liturgy of the Hours, all of it --- is drenched in Scripture.
Are there parishes that fall short of this standard? No doubt.
But as usual, the one really valid criticism of Catholics amounts to this: that they are not sufficiently Catholic.
Well, it is a little busy for the next few days, but yes I am.
Please define your understanding of infallibility.
Google it yourself. You were the one who made the unsupported and unsupportable claim that all non Catholics thought themselves infallible.
“You see, my FRiend, this is precisely why Rome is in so much errant doctrinal trouble. They add to the Scriptures where there is NOTHING.”
Is it not ‘adding to scriptures where there is nothing’, to say that Mary died?
“Okay, then they are all in gang with Mary as Quarterback? Please...this is not serious hermeneutics.”
True, it’s eisegesis here. Again - where are you getting this thesis? Is it perhaps an assumption not backed up by the Gospel?
“Show me where Paul is not an alien from Mars”
So you concede then that there is no Gospel evidence stating that Mary died. Thank you. This is an important point. You say that only the Gospels count - so why then are you reading your own assumptions into the text when they do not exist?
It is a problem if you believe that Mary was not truly the mother of God. Then, the incarnation is a lie.
I’ve always thought it curious that bible believing Christians read fewer books than Catholics.
“I feel bad for people who do not read the Bible for themselves- because it is the power to save.”
Where does Jesus say this?
Read the Bible.. and you will find out. :)
For the rich man, Jesus tells him to give away his wealth in order to be saved.
Jesus never tells him to read the bible.
You may want to actually pick up a Bible and read it. The Word of God is of utmost importance. Jesus, in fact IS, himself, the living word of God.
Psalm 1:1-3
1 Blessed is the man who doesn’t walk in the counsel of the wicked, nor stand in the way of sinners,
nor sit in the seat of scoffers; 2 but his delight is in Yahweh’s law. On his law he meditates day and night.
3 He will be like a tree planted by the streams of water, that brings forth its fruit in its season,
whose leaf also does not wither. Whatever he does shall prosper.
“All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.” 2 Tim. 3:16,17. But before that:<p.”And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.” 2 Tim. 3:15.
Matthew 19
“If you want to enter life, keep the commandments.”
“Which ones?” he inquired.
Jesus replied, “‘You shall not murder, you shall not commit adultery, you shall not steal, you shall not give false testimony, honor your father and mother,’ and ‘love your neighbor as yourself.’”
So why doesn’t Jesus say, “read the bible, you’ll be saved?” He’s very specific here about obeying the commandments.
amen.
“That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.”
You believe this, smvoice? That the reason people should read the bible is that they are believers and they can be made perfect to do good in the world?
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