God inspired writing that ISN'T Scripture

[MarcoPolo]

Does the Church teach that there is writing that isn’t in Scripture but all the same inspired by God? For instance, the writing of a Saint that includes a vision or something? If so, is there a different classification for this? Is something like the Protoevangelium of James not Scripture because of a specific quality?

I would think that any Sacred Tradition that has now been written must fall in this category. But is it inspired according to a different pedigree?

Any articles, docs appreciated! Especially anything that would talk about someone having been inspired to write something by God that is not Scripture.

 

[NotWorthy]

Could you be referring to something that is considered Apochryphal, or something that is enlightening to read even though it’s not considered inspired.

IMO, if something were considered to be “God-Breathed”, it would have made it’s way into the Canon of the NT or OT.

 

[MarcoPolo]

IMO, if something were considered to be “God-Breathed”, it would have made it’s way into the Canon of the NT or OT.

But then that means that God no longer works through His people or even the Church to write something He would have them write. No?

I’m speculating that there is a different breed of inspiration that would not be classified as Scripture, but is still something that God inspired a person to write.

 

[NotWorthy]

God protects the Church to teach without error, but this is different from inspired writings.

He also guides the Church to come to a fuller understanding of His inspired Words - I believe this is called the Deposit of Faith, but I could be wrong. Maybe I’m thinking of the Development of Doctrine, which seems to be Holy Spirit guided.

 

[Verbum]

Hi Marco,

Christ is the Word. What he has taught is what the Church received from the apostles. And the written part of this is what we call inspired scripture. This is what we must believe.

Some people may receive communications from above. They may even have messages for you and me. If the Church approves these messages, they should treated with respect, but they are not part of the faith. They do not have the efficacy of the word of God, which penetrates the heart and mind to move us to good works.

Verbum

PS The Old Testament, though not the direct teaching of Jesus, was confirmed by Him, when he said that He did not come to destroy it but to fulfil it.

 

[Texas_Roofer]

I think you are being asked the correct question, in which form “inspired” do you speak? Natural Law is planted in all of us so in some sense of the word we are all individually inspired. My understanding is the Church believes Devine Revelation is not currently active. My understanding is the Holy Spirit is guiding but not directly speaking. Thus anything written after the Apostle’s experience is not currently being considered as “inspired writing” in the scriptural sense of inspired writings. My guess is if you read about the types of apparitions the Church accepts you may find your answer. Here is a reference newadvent.org/cathen/15477a.htm

In summary my understanding is the Church is fulfilling the plan and thus direct Devine Revelation for writing is unwarranted at this time. Other forms of being inspired have always existed and still exist. These inspiration are to follow the plan not to rewrite the plan. Hope that helps

 

[1ke]

Does the Church teach that there is writing that isn’t in Scripture but all the same inspired by God?

No. This article on Inspiration might help.

For instance, the writing of a Saint that includes a vision or something?

Writings are termed “free from error”, not inspired, if they are approved by the Church. That is the purpose of the Imprimatur and Nihil Obstat

 Is something like the Protoevangelium of James not Scripture because of a specific quality?

Yes. Scripture is of Apostolic origin and was read in the assembly (i.e. at Mass).

I suggest you read these articles on the Canon of the Old Testament and the Canon of the New Testament

Especially anything that would talk about someone having been inspired to write something by God that is not Scripture.

People may claim to have been “inspired” but the Church would not define such writings as inspired.

 

[mdgspencer]

Only Scripture is inspired so that God is the primary author and what it teaches is the word of God and infallable (which is the Church’s teaching on this matter). However, as Saint Paul made clear, the faithful all have differing spiritual gifts, such as, as he says, the gift of teaching. The Holy Spirit in this sense can inspire people besides the sacred writers as they write, but at the same time in this case their own ideas could easily intrude so that some of the things they say may not be true–but all the same time what such a writer writes is worth special attention because of their gift from God. I would think a good example of this is the Doctors of the Church, but also, as has been pointed out here, the writings of some saints, such as Teresa of Avila and Saint John of the Cross, are good examples too.

 

[meangreen]

All apostolic teaching whether scripture or tradition is what makes the deposit of faith or in other words is the reveald truth of God. Everything else God inspired such as apparations or personal gifts is private revalation. All apostolic tradition must be beleived by every catholic. Anything privately revealed can be discarded or if approved by the church beleived as inspired by God.

 

[John_Hiner]

Does the Church teach that there is writing that isn’t in Scripture but all the same inspired by God? For instance, the writing of a Saint that includes a vision or something? If so, is there a different classification for this? Is something like the Protoevangelium of James not Scripture because of a specific quality?

I would think that any Sacred Tradition that has now been written must fall in this category. But is it inspired according to a different pedigree?

Any articles, docs appreciated! Especially anything that would talk about someone having been inspired to write something by God that is not Scripture.

Laudatur Iesus Christus.

The Holy Spirit also speaks in a special way through the Ecumenical Councils of the Church.

“**It hath seemed good to the Holy Ghost and to us **(Acts 15:28)]. This formula and the dogma it enshrines stand out brightly in the deposit of faith and have been carefully guarded throughout the many storms raised in councils by the play of the human element.” See, Catholic Encyclopedia, art. “General Councils.”

Though the general meaning of the English word “inspired” might be loosely applied to conciliar documents – in the usage of the Church this term is reserved only to the Scriptures. See, Catholic Encyclopedia, art. “Infallibility.”

The Ecumenical Councils are available online and are well worth reading with an open mind and docile heart:

COUNCILS FROM I NICAEA (325 AD) THROUGH V LATERAN (1512-1517 AD), PLUS I VATICAN (1869), online.
COUNCIL OF TRENT, (1545-1563 AD), Ed. and trans. J. Waterworth (London: Dolman, 1848), online.
II VATICAN COUNCIL, (1962-1965 AD) online in both English and Latin.

Similarly, the Holy Spirit guides and guards the statements of the Magisterium of the Church. The infallible teachings of the Church are therefore “inspired” by the Holy Spirit in the loose sense listed in English dictionaries (see, e.g., Webster’s); however, again, the Church’s usage calls these documents “infallible” rather than “inspired.”

These types of documents – scripture, conciliar, and infallible magisterial – differ in the way the Holy Spirit interacts with the human authors involved; however, each communicates in some part the mind of the Holy Spirit.

Spiritus Sapientiae nobiscum.

John Hiner