Analogy of the Faith

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I was listening to Fr. Corapi tonight on EWTN…and he said there are three ways to interpret scripture…the first being read it in it’s totality, the 2nd is to read it through Sacred Tradition and the 3rd is by analogy of the Faith.

I’ve heard this before but want to be clear on understanding it.

What exactly is the analogy of the faith? For I was thinking if you are reading it in what we already know that is taught by the Church - would that not be reading it in light of Sacred Tradition? So what then is the analogy of the faith?

Hopper 🙂
 
From Fr. John Hardon’s Modern Catholic Dictionary
ANALOGY OF FAITH
The Catholic doctrine that every individual statement of belief must be understood in the light of the Church’s whole objective body of faith.
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In other words, when reading Scripture you can’t come up with an interpretation that contradicts or seriously conflicts with the overall teaching of the Church. For example, if you were reading James 2:24 and came up with the conclusion that we work our way to heaven solely by our good deeds alone apart from God’s grace, you would (since the Church does not or never has taught this) be in error.
 
Thanks Fidelis, I understand what you are saying - but how does understanding of scripture differ from reading it in light of Sacred Tradition as different from analogy of the faith? It seems to me that the two, Sacred Tradition and analogy of the faith are the same thing and that is what I want to differentiate with and have a clarity of. Sacred Tradition being in my mind what we have been taught down through the ages. How is that different from analogy of the faith? or are the two intertwined in such a way that one cannot make a statement of difference?

Hopper 🙂
 
Hopper said:
Thanks Fidelis, I understand what you are saying - but how does understanding of scripture differ from reading it in light of Sacred Tradition as different from analogy of the faith? It seems to me that the two, Sacred Tradition and analogy of the faith are the same thing and that is what I want to differentiate with and have a clarity of. Sacred Tradition being in my mind what we have been taught down through the ages. How is that different from analogy of the faith? or are the two intertwined in such a way that one cannot make a statement of difference?

Hopper 🙂
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Probably the best way to understand it is that Sacred Tradition (and Sacred Scripture) is an established body of teaching and practice.

The analogy of faith, on the other hand, is when, in the process of coming up with a NEW understanding of some aspect of the Faith (say, an interpretation of Scripture), one makes sure that it is consistent with established Sacred Tradition and Scripture by which it is measured. If one cannot establish this analogy of faith, the new idea or interpretation is probably a doctrinal fallacy or error.
 
Fidelis said:
Probably the best way to understand it is that Sacred Tradition (and Sacred Scripture) is an established body of teaching and practice.

The analogy of faith, on the other hand, is when, in the process of coming up with a NEW understanding of some aspect of the Faith (say, an interpretation of Scripture), one makes sure that it is consistent with established Sacred Tradition and Scripture by which it is measured. If one cannot establish this analogy of faith, the new idea or interpretation is probably a doctrinal fallacy or error.
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Since I just made a comment in another thread about Scott Hahn, it’s fresh in my mind. Hahn’s explication (the “fourth cup”) is not doctrine, but it is consistent with doctrine. Perhaps this is what you’re saying?
 
I think that would be a good example. One could take Dr. Hahn’s explanation of “The Fourth Cup” and, comparing it with what the Church already teaches in this area in Scripture and Sacred Tradition, including any related Magisterial pronouncements that have been made, determine if it is consistent (and not in conflict) with what has already been revealed to the Church. To employ this critical process is to apply the analogy of faith.
 
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