Bible Interpretation and the Catholic Church

[seth349]

I was listening to a radio Catholic talk show a year or so ago and the subject of Bible interpretation came up. The moderator told the caller that he should not be attempting to interpret the Bible. He said, and I can’t remember exactly how he put it, but he said that there are special representatives of Christ that are authorized to interpret the Bible. Then he quoted scriptures that supported that contention. That surprised me, but after thinking about it, it made sense. I was wondering if anyone might know what these scriptures might be.

 

[kristanl]

We are supposed to rely on the magisterium to interpret scriptures for us. So when you are looking at scripture you are suppsed to use Catholic resources in light of those scripture passages.

 

[ljubim]

It’s called hermeneutics: catholicapologetics.org/ap031000.htm

I hate to be one of those people who just post links… but I’m really tired

 

[diggerdomer]

I was listening to a radio Catholic talk show a year or so ago and the subject of Bible interpretation came up. The moderator told the caller that he should not be attempting to interpret the Bible. He said, and I can’t remember exactly how he put it, but he said that there are special representatives of Christ that are authorized to interpret the Bible. Then he quoted scriptures that supported that contention. That surprised me, but after thinking about it, it made sense. I was wondering if anyone might know what these scriptures might be.

All Catholics are encouraged to read, pray with, and seek guidance from the Bible.

 

[twinc]

All Catholics are encouraged to read, pray with, and seek guidance from the Bible.

in the final analysis,no matter which way we twist or turn or which authority we appeal to,we finally interpret scriptures for ourselves and can do no other - twinc

 

[newyorkcatholic]

twinc, are you sure you’re Catholic?

Anyway, we can read and interpret the Bible ourselves, but the Church gives us the following guidance:

1. Use reason and logic, obviously.
2. Interpret in the context of the rest of Scripture when you look at one passage.
3. Interpret in a historical and literary context (e.g. is this history? a poem? written for whom?)
4. Interpret in light of Tradition

etc.

 

[onenow1]

in the final analysis,no matter which way we twist or turn or which authority we appeal to,we finally interpret scriptures for ourselves and can do no other - twinc

Acts 8: 30-31
So Philip ran to him, and heard him reading Isaiah the prophet, and asked, “Do you understand what you are reading?”
And he said, “How can I, unless some one guides me?” And he invited Philip to come up and sit with him

Peace
onenow1

 

[wmscott]

in the final analysis,no matter which way we twist or turn or which authority we appeal to,we finally interpret scriptures for ourselves and can do no other - twinc

2 Peter 1:18-21

18 We ourselves heard this voice come from heaven while we were with him on the holy mountain.
19 Moreover, we possess the prophetic message that is altogether reliable. You will do well to be attentive to it, as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts.
20 Know this first of all, that there is no prophecy of scripture that is a matter of personal interpretation,
21 for no prophecy ever came through human will; but rather human beings moved by the holy Spirit spoke under the influence of God.

 

[seth349]

I am surprised by all the replies and I thank you all. I was afraid somebody like me would not get any. It has been very revealing and I have learned two new terms: magisterium and hermeneutics. The radio talk show host that I listened to apparently did not represent the whole of the Catholic church.

I notice that some call themselves Catholic and others Roman Catholic. Is there a difference? Also, in regard to the magisterium, is this equivalent to a priest?

 

[diggerdomer]

in the final analysis,no matter which way we twist or turn or which authority we appeal to,we finally interpret scriptures for ourselves and can do no other - twinc

Sure. But do we see ourselves as fundamentally autonomous individuals, or fundamentally individual members of the Body of Christ. I choose the latter.

 

[newyorkcatholic]

I am surprised by all the replies and I thank you all. I was afraid somebody like me would not get any. It has been very revealing and I have learned two new terms: magisterium and hermeneutics. The radio talk show host that I listened to apparently did not represent the whole of the Catholic church.

I notice that some call themselves Catholic and others Roman Catholic. Is there a difference? Also, in regard to the magisterium, is this equivalent to a priest?

The magisterium refers to the “teaching authority of the Church.” This includes tradition handed down from the apostles, and especially as confirmed by the bishops and the Pope in union with them.

 

[newyorkcatholic]

For most people Roman Catholic and Catholic are the same thing. There are however, other types of Catholics in union with Rome, but they have their own Church (governing body, hierarchy, etc) and their own distinctive traditions and liturgies. They are Catholic, but not Roman Catholic.

There’s a whole forum here dedicated to that topic, Eastern Catholicism.

 

[twinc]

Peace
onenow1

and so what - what’s new - even after we get guidance or the Church>s interpretation we each as individuals will interpret the Church"s interpretation individually and can do no other - this is absolutely clear and apparent here and elsewhere where more than one is contending that this is what the Church teaches - in some cases we can only thank God that this is an individual’s interpretation as to what is claimed as Church teaching - no two priests will give the same interpretation or the same priest give the same interpretation second time round - just take for example the sunday gospel and homily - twinc

 

[diggerdomer]

and so what - what’s new - even after we get guidance or the Church>s interpretation we each as individuals will interpret the Church"s interpretation individually and can do no other -

I disagree. You can interpret Church teaching individually by yourself, or individually with the Church. If you disagree with the Church that’s fine, but I think we need to be clear on where the Church allows such disagreement (and who decides). See my previous response to you.

 

[Spencerian]

I am surprised by all the replies and I thank you all. I was afraid somebody like me would not get any. It has been very revealing and I have learned two new terms: magisterium and hermeneutics. The radio talk show host that I listened to apparently did not represent the whole of the Catholic church.

I notice that some call themselves Catholic and others Roman Catholic. Is there a difference? Also, in regard to the magisterium, is this equivalent to a priest?

Hi, Seth. Good to see another person from Indy on the boards.

I think someone else has already answered your question on the magisterium. According to Father Vincent Serpa, the official name of our church is simply “The Catholic Church.” “Catholic” comes from a Greek word meaning “Universal.”

Within the Church there are many “flavors” or rites that have a different cultural feel that many prefer. There is the Roman rite (the one that the Pope leads) but there are other variations that are approved. In America, the biggest this-or-that preference is attending the Ordinary Form of the Mass (what most parishes–another name for a local church–offers, as well as most throughout the world), or the Extraordinary Form of the Mass. People who don’t like the Ordinary Form often call it the “Novus Ordo” (New Order), which sounds a bit Dr. Evil to me. The Extraordinary Form (which was the Ordinary Form until after 1966 or so) is also called the “Latin Mass” or “Tridentine Mass.”

One book that’s a good primer on the Church is Catholicism For Dummies, by Father John Trijilio (a regular guest on the Catholic Answers Live radio program). I own a copy and give it my thumbs-up (I used to work for this publisher long ago).

 

[onenow1]

and so what - what’s new - even after we get guidance or the Church>s interpretation we each as individuals will interpret the Church"s interpretation individually and can do no other - this is absolutely clear and apparent here and elsewhere where more than one is contending that this is what the Church teaches - in some cases we can only thank God that this is an individual’s interpretation as to what is claimed as Church teaching - no two priests will give the same interpretation or the same priest give the same interpretation second time round - just take for example the sunday gospel and homily - twinc

=onenow1]Jesus did not accept the opinions of men, as shown in Matthew 16:13-17:
When Jesus went into the region of Caesarea Philippi he asked his disciples,
“Who do people say that the Son of Man is?”
They replied, “Some say John the Baptist, others Elijah, still others Jeremiah or one of the prophets.”
He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?”
Simon Peter said in reply, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.”
Jesus said to him in reply, “Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah. For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my heavenly Father.”

See? His disciples mostly expressed personal opinions, which meant little to Jesus.
The one exception was Simon Peter, the only one who answered with authorative doctrinal truth.Twinc, depending on the Priests interpretation of scripture he is citing, if it conforms in doctrinal truth, the church teaches good, if it does’nt then we must go by what the church teaches.

As a matter of fact, if what any priest teaches is not in agreement with church teaching, it should be brought to the attention of what the church, actually teaches. If they still don’t agree, then it should be brought to the church,{Pastor,Bishop, Etc}.On the other hand there is much in scripture the church has no opinion about, I believe this is where conscience,and common sense in light of what the church teaches in its doctrinal sense should be adhered to.

Peace and God Bless
onenow

 

[po18guy]

I am surprised by all the replies and I thank you all. I was afraid somebody like me would not get any. It has been very revealing and I have learned two new terms: magisterium and hermeneutics. The radio talk show host that I listened to apparently did not represent the whole of the Catholic church.

I notice that some call themselves Catholic and others Roman Catholic. Is there a difference? Also, in regard to the magisterium, is this equivalent to a priest?

Hermeneutics is a principle that is used. The Magisterium is the teaching authority of the Church, as given to the Apostles (and their successors) by Christ through the promise of the holy spirit. The Magisterium guided the Church long before there was a single letter of New Testament (NT) scripture written. The Church functioned and grew rapidly for an estimated 20 years before any of what we know as the NT was written. This was accomplished through the Magisterium via the guidance of the Holy Spirit.

 

[seth349]

Hi, Seth. Good to see another person from Indy on the boards.

One book that’s a good primer on the Church is Catholicism For Dummies, by Father John Trijilio (a regular guest on the Catholic Answers Live radio program). I own a copy and give it my thumbs-up (I used to work for this publisher long ago).

Sounds like a book for me. I’ll have to see if they have it at the library. I have been pleased with the library system here in Indianapolis. I’m new here, but you don’t see many people from Indy on the boards?

 

[diggerdomer]

Hi, Seth. Good to see another person from Indy on the boards.

I think someone else has already answered your question on the magisterium. According to Father Vincent Serpa, the official name of our church is simply “The Catholic Church.” “Catholic” comes from a Greek word meaning “Universal.”

Within the Church there are many “flavors” or rites that have a different cultural feel that many prefer. There is the Roman rite (the one that the Pope leads) but there are other variations that are approved. In America, the biggest this-or-that preference is attending the Ordinary Form of the Mass (what most parishes–another name for a local church–offers, as well as most throughout the world), or the Extraordinary Form of the Mass. People who don’t like the Ordinary Form often call it the “Novus Ordo” (New Order), which sounds a bit Dr. Evil to me. The Extraordinary Form (which was the Ordinary Form until after 1966 or so) is also called the “Latin Mass” or “Tridentine Mass.”

One book that’s a good primer on the Church is Catholicism For Dummies, by Father John Trijilio (a regular guest on the Catholic Answers Live radio program). I own a copy and give it my thumbs-up (I used to work for this publisher long ago).

The Pope has supreme authority over all the Catholic Rites, not just Roman.

 

[Timothy_Piper]

I was listening to a radio Catholic talk show a year or so ago and the subject of Bible interpretation came up. The moderator told the caller that he should not be attempting to interpret the Bible. He said, and I can’t remember exactly how he put it, but he said that there are special representatives of Christ that are authorized to interpret the Bible. Then he quoted scriptures that supported that contention. That surprised me, but after thinking about it, it made sense. I was wondering if anyone might know what these scriptures might be.

The Holy Spirit is the only way to understand the things of God and is given to each Christian for that very purpose among others.

26 For consider your calling, brethren, that there were not many wise according to the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble; 27 but God has chosen the foolish things of the world to shame the wise, and God has chosen the weak things of the world to shame the things which are strong, 28 and the base things of the world and the despised God has chosen, the things that are not, so that He may nullify the things that are, 29 so that no man may boast before God. 30 But by His doing you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, and righteousness and sanctification, and redemption, 31 so that, just as it is written, “LET HIM WHO BOASTS, BOAST IN THE LORD.”

There are many more verses that tell us the Holy Spirit teaches and guides the Christian; you will not find in Scripture that it was given in any other manner regardless of what men will say.