Chapter 30: How to Read the Bible

Chapter 30: How to Readthe Bible UNDERSTANDING THE SCRIPTURES

1. The Senses of Scripture (pp. 524–526) ANTICIPATORY SET Review pages 226–228 of the textbook and recall details of the story of Jonah. Review the Guided Exercise about Jonah as literal history or a kind of parable that teaches a deeper meaning (p. 228). Discuss how an understanding of the Sacred Author’s intention would affect one’s understanding of the meaning of the Book of Jonah.

1. The Senses of Scripture (pp. 524–526) BASIC QUESTIONS What is the literal sense of Scripture? What are the three spiritual senses of Scripture? KEY IDEAS The Bible is ancient literature; the first concern of a modern reader must be to grasp the literal sense, that is, the immediate and direct meaning of what is read, and, to do this, one must take into account both the literary forms and techniques the Sacred Author employed and the historical period in which it was written. Besides the literal meaning of the biblical texts, Scripture can also be read in allegorical, moral, and anagogical senses.

1. The Senses of Scripture (pp. 524–526) GUIDED EXERCISE Complete a paragraph shrink on the paragraph “For example, the Book of Revelation...” (p. 525).

1. The Senses of Scripture (pp. 524–526) FOCUS QUESTIONS What does it mean to say the Bible is literature? The Bible uses literary forms and techniques to convey meaning. In addition to varying literary devices, what other difficulty do people face when reading the Bible? The Bible is ancient, so people have to try to understand the way the authors saw the world. What is the first rule to understand the Bible as literature? One must understand the literal sense first.

1. The Senses of Scripture (pp. 524–526) FOCUS QUESTIONS What is the literal sense? It is the immediate and direct meaning of the text. What does a literary analysis of Genesis uncover? The structure portrays creation as a kind of Temple. What is the difference between literal and literalistic? Literal refers to the intended meaning. A literalistic interpretation understands everything literally regardless of intention. Extension: A literal reading of the creation narrative demonstrates creation as a kind of Temple of God; a literalistic reading of Genesis 1 demonstrates God created the world in six, twenty‑four hour days.

1. The Senses of Scripture (pp. 524–526) GRAPHIC ORGANIZER Complete the following table to understand the four senses in which the Scriptures can be interpreted.

1. The Senses of Scripture (pp. 524–526)

1. The Senses of Scripture (pp. 524–526) FOCUS QUESTIONS Besides the literal, what other senses has Scripture? There are three spiritual senses: allegorical (typical), moral (tropological), and anagogical. How does Psalm 22 go beyond what its author knew? David expressed a time of great trouble, but he did not know how his words would apply to Christ. What is the allegorical, or typical, sense of Scripture? It is how people and events point to future people and events. Extension: Abraham’s sacrifice of Isaac is a type of God the Father’s Sacrifice of his Son, Jesus Christ.

1. The Senses of Scripture (pp. 524–526) FOCUS QUESTIONS What is the moral, or tropological, sense of Scripture? It views people and events in terms of the good or evil of their actions and extracts admonitions for behavior. Extension: With respect to the sin of the Sodomites and God’s punishment, behaving similarly will bring destruction upon oneself. With respect to David’s repentance, no matter how badly a person sins, God will always forgive. What is the anagogical sense of Scripture? It is the sense in which events point to what will be known and experienced in Heaven. Extension: The Promised Land is an indication of Heaven. The relationship between God and Israel reveals aspects of Christians’ relationship with God. Why is it important not to forget the literal sense of Scripture when examining its spiritual senses? According to St. Thomas Aquinas, “All other senses of Sacred Scripture are based on the literal” (STh I, 1, 10, ad I).

1. The Senses of Scripture (pp. 524–526) CLOSURE Write a paragraph about the four senses of Scripture using the Graphic Organizer on page 525.

1. The Senses of Scripture (pp. 524–526) HOMEWORK ASSIGNMENT Study Questions 1–2 (p. 531) Practical Exercises 1, 3a–c (p. 531) Workbook Questions 1–13 Read “Look to the Church for Guidance” through “Pray” (pp. 527–529)

1. The Senses of Scripture (pp. 524–526) ALTERNATIVE ASSESSMENT Work with a partner to find additional examples of the three spiritual senses of Scripture.

2. A Lifelong Project (pp. 527–529) ANTICIPATORY SET Read Leviticus 20:10. Then discuss reasons NOTto kill all adulterers. • N.B. This punishment from the Mosaic Law is no longer in effect. • When the woman caught in adultery was brought before Christ, he admonished her and then released her without condemnation (cf. Jn 8:2–11). • Scripture should be read as a whole, and the Church is the best guide to interpret it.

2. A Lifelong Project (pp. 527–529) BASIC QUESTIONS How can a person know he or she is understanding Scripture properly? Where should a person begin when reading the Scriptures? How do prayer and the Mass aid the understanding of Scripture? KEY IDEAS The Church is the best guide to understand the Scriptures. It is good to start with the Gospels, especially St. Luke, and then read the Books of Genesis and Exodus, which begin salvation history. Prayer, the Mass, and reading the Bible contribute to receiving the Word of God in its fullness.

2. A Lifelong Project (pp. 527–529) FOCUS QUESTIONS What is the biggest hindrance to interpreting Scripture properly? Many passages in Scripture are difficult to understand, and people can interpret the same passage very differently. What keeps people from making serious mistakes when interpreting Scripture? The teaching authority of the Church, the Magisterium, is protected by a charism of the Holy Spirit from teaching error. What is one of the best resources in the modern era to understand the teachings of the Church and their scriptural basis? The Catechism of the Catholic Church is a great resource.

2. A Lifelong Project (pp. 527–529) GUIDED EXERCISE Work with a partner to read the section “What to Read First” (p. 528). Then, formulate and answer three Focus Questions. Briefly share and discuss results. Some examples are given here: How do people understand the Bible? They read each part in the context of the whole Bible. The New Testament lies hidden in the Old, and the Old unveils the new. Where is a good place for a Christian to begin to read the Bible? He or she might begin with one of the Gospels, especially St. Luke’s, who is a great storyteller and wrote for people who did not know much about Jewish traditions. What are the next two books of the Bible a student might be encouraged to read? He or she might read the Books of Genesis and Exodus because these set forth the beginnings of salvation history.

2. A Lifelong Project (pp. 527–529) GUIDED EXERCISE A think / pair / share using the following question: Why is the Church the best guide to understand the Scriptures?

2. A Lifelong Project (pp. 527–529) FOCUS QUESTIONS Why should a person approach the reading of the Bible with reverence? It is the Word of God rather than a collection of books written by human authors alone. How should a person begin each instance of reading the Bible? He or she should start with prayer. How do going to God in prayer, active participation in the Mass, and prayerful reading of the Scriptures go together? A person needs all of these in order to receive the Word of God in its fullness.

2. A Lifelong Project (pp. 527–529) CLOSURE Write a paragraph explaining why the Church should be your guide to understand the Scriptures.

2. A Lifelong Project (pp. 527–529) HOMEWORK ASSIGNMENT Practical Exercises 2, 3d–f (p. 531) Workbook Questions 14–17

2. A Lifelong Project (pp. 527–529) ALTERNATIVE ASSESSMENT Free write for five minutes, giving advice to next year’s students about reading the Scriptures fruitfully.

The End

Chapter 30: How to Read the Bible