How to Read the Bible? Catholic Approaches to Biblical Interpretation

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

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

3. 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 literature! • “Literally” AND “spiritually” (not either/or)

4. What Is “Fundamentalism”? • Five “Fundamentals” of Christian Doctrine (1890’s, Prot.) • Literal Inerrancy of the Bible(interpreted 100% factually) • Virgin Birth & Deity of Jesus • Substitutionary Atonement (Jesus’ death) • Bodily Resurrection of Jesus • 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. 5 Principles of Catholic Biblical Interp. • “Incarnational Theology” Core (God’s Self-Revelation!) vs. bibliolatry, over-emphasis on Bible as text • “Both / And” Approach to Christian Theology vs. one-sided over-emphasis or neglect • “Ecclesial Guidance” for Proper Understanding vs. individualistic mis-interpretations • “Literary Genres” are Diverse/Complex vs. modernist / historicist assumptions • “Historical-Critical” Exegesis is Essential vs. fundamentalist / literalist fallacies

6. 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 established

7. 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 • Word of God (God speaks, things happen; cf. Gen 1) • Word made Flesh (God speaks in human languages) • See New Testament Christology (FJ)

8. 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 transcendentandimmanent • Jesus is both fully humanand fully divine • The Eucharist is both a mealand a sacrifice Problems/Errors with One-Sided Over-emphases: • Ex: Blind people touching different parts of an Elephant

9. 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 types), but not literalistically (mere historical facts) • See “BOTH/AND: The Essential Key to Catholic Theology” (FJ)

10. 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 Tradition (assisted by theologians & exegetes)

11. 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; 2nd ed. 1997) • In section on “The Profession of Faith” (par. 51-141) • [ Online versions of these and related documents - FJ]

12. 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 “history” • See “An Introduction to Literary Genres & Form Criticism” (FJ)

13. 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)

14. 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

15. 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 historical!

16. 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? • What is the literary genre of Jesus’ parables?

17. 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) • Openness to Development (historical, literary, theological): • Development from oral preaching/tradition to written texts/scriptures • Growth in our understanding and application of texts over time

18. Principles of Catholic Interpretation (5) Results of Exegesis available to non-specialists: • Study Bibles: • Catholic Study Bible, New Jerusalem Bible, HarperCollins SB • Bible Dictionaries: • HarperCollins, Eerdmans, Anchor, Interpreter’s, etc. • Bible Commentaries: • One-Vol: New Jerome BC, HarperCollins, Collegeville, etc. • Multi-Vol: Sacra Pagina, Anchor BC, many others

19. 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)

20. 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! • Matt 5:38-48 – turn the other cheek, love your enemies… • Literal meaning? Modern application?

21. 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?

22. 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)

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

24. 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?

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

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

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

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

29. Catholic Teachingson Biblical Interpretation:Vatican II: Dei Verbum Fr. Felix Just, S.J., Ph.D. Loyola Institute for Spirituality, Orange, CAhttp://catholic-resources.org

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

31. Ecumenical Councils & The Bible: • Council of Trent (1545-63) – Session IV (4/8/46) • Q: Biblical Canon & Authorized Translations? • vs. Protestants who omitted books & made vernacular transl. • First Vatican Council (1869-70) – Dei Filius • Q: Relationship between Scripture & REASON? • vs. both Fideists(faith alone) & Rationalists (reason alone) • Second Vatican Council (1962-65) – Dei Verbum • Q: Relationship between Scripture & TRADITION?

32. Official Catholic Documents: • Pope Pius XII: DivinoAfflanteSpiritu(1943) • Vatican II: Dei Verbum(1965) • Pontifical Biblical Commission: • “Historical Truth of the Gospels” (1964) • “The Interpretation of the Bible in the Church” (1993) • Catechism of the Catholic Church(1994; 2nd ed. 1997) • In section on “The Profession of Faith” (par. 51-141) • Synod of Bishops: “Word of God in Life/Mission of Church (2008) • Benedict XVI, Post-Synodal Exhortation: Verbum Domini (2010) • Online versions of these and related documents - FJ

33. Council of Trent: Session IV (1546) • 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! • Norms for Translations: • Done by Catholic scholars • Approved by Bishop(s) • Esp. Douay-Rheims

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

35. Vatican II (1962-65) • Four Main “Constitutions” • SacrosanctumConcilium: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

36. Vat II: Dei Verbum – very short! GS: Church in Mod. World (24,076) LG: Dogm. Church (17,489+912) AG: Mission Activity (9961) SC: Sacred Liturgy (8,066+182) PO: Ministry & Life of Priests (8112) AA: Apostolate of the Laity (7254) CD: Past. Office of Bishops (6216) UR: Ecumenism (4932+897) DV: Dogm. Divine Revelation (3,420) PC: Religious Life (3406) DH: Religious Freedom (3307) OT: Priestly Training (3118) OE: East. Rite Churches (1911+912) GE: Christian Education (2735) IM: Social Communications (2312) NA: Non-Christian Religions (1217)

37. 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)

39. Dei Verbum(Vatican II) – Chap. 1, Par. 2-6“Revelation Itself” • God reveals HIMSELF to us, in deeds & words • Four Main Stages of GOD’s SELF-Revelation: • God’s Revelation through all of Creation • God’s Revelation to / through the Human Race • God’s Revelation to / through the Chosen People • God’s Revelation in / through Jesus of Nazareth • Obedience of Faith  Understand Truth  Salvation

40. Dei Verbum(Vatican II) – Chap. 2, Par. 7-10 “Transmission of Divine Revelation” • Stages in the TRANSMISSION of God’s Self-Revelation: • Historical Events (Jesus’ words & deeds) • Oral Traditions (apostles preach, hand on; Lat. traditio) • Written Accounts (scriptures composed; Lat. scriptus) • Biblical Collections gradually canonized, interpreted, translated, taught, preached, applied… • Unity of Tradition & Scripture & Magisterium

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

42. Scripture < Tradition < Revelation • Not separate or opposed to each other Revelation  Tradition  Scripture • 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) • What is the “Word of God” ? • Not just the Bible, but primarily Jesus himself ! • Community (Church) preceded Scriptures (Bible)

44. ScriptureAlone?

45. Scripture and Tradition?

46. Tradition and Scripture

47. Scripture vs. Tradition? • Not really separate or next to each other: • Scripture on one side? • Tradition on the other? • 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

48. Dei Verbum(Vatican II) – Chap. 3, Par. 11-13 Biblical “Inspiration” • 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” • Implications of “Human” Language: • Limitations of all language; difficulties of translations • Note literary forms; characteristic modes of expression • “Inspired by the Holy Spirit” (not mere dictation) • Purpose: Truth for the sake of our salvation • Inspiration at multiple historical stages

49. Dei Verbum(Vatican II) – Chap. 4, Par. 14-16 “The Old Testament” • 14: For Salvation of ALL, God chose a special people • 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, prayers, mystery • 16: God is inspirer and author of BOTH Testaments • NT is hidden in the OT; OT is made manifest in the NT

50. Dei Verbum(Vatican II) – Chap. 5, Par. 17-20 “The New Testament” • 17: Word of God = Word made Flesh • Jesus’ words and deeds; death, resurrection, ascension, Holy Spirit • 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 • 19: Historical Character of the Gospels • Gospels “faithfully hand on what Jesus Christ… really did and taught” • After Ascension, Apostles gain “clearer understanding” • Evangelist’s Role: select, reduce, explain, preserve • 20: NT Canon: Epistles of Paul & other Apostolic Writings • Christ’s teachings are confirmed, more fully stated, preached, etc.