Interpretation of Scripture fully defined Established by Pope Leo XIII in Providentissimus Deus (1893) seconded and confirmed by Pope Benedict XV in Spiritus Paraclitus (1920) and by Pope Pius XII in Divino Afflante Spiritual (1943) Pope Pius XII declared in Divino… that Leo’s encyclical Providentisisimus for interpreting the bible to **“the supreme guide in Biblical studies” ** These Rules though have always been applied since the beginning of the Church.
Four rules for interpreting the Bible for the Catholic Church
- Always **pay attention to the Magisterium **the authority of the Church
- **Be guided by what the early fathers **had to say about a particular passage. When they are in agreement one cannot suddenly come up with new interpretations.
- Always to be guided by what the Bible has to say as a whole (not key phrases here and there for defining ones theology and ignoring passages which do not fit one’s theology, see opening quote). One must take into account all Scripture passages which pertains to a given doctrinal truth.
- Always take the **Bible Literally **unless it is reasonably impossible
Most outside of the Catholic Church would ignore rule number one. But, all Christians outside of the Catholic church ought to pay attentions to the last three rules particularly rule number “2” and “3” and also “4”. Rule “2” states to always be guided by what the early church fathers had to say. Why? First we were not there to hear and see everything and can easily be fooled into reading something not there into Scripture or reading something out of Scripture. The Second the very early Fathers were trained by the Apostles and the preceding Fathers are closer to the time frame allowing for less corruption of the teachings to occur. We are 2,000 years removed from the original source. Third and Most Important is that Scripture is clear on this and is repeated often by Paul that we are to pay attention to both the Sacred Oral word as well as the Sacred Written word passed down. The Oral word ultimately is passed on through the church fathers writings
1 Thessalonians 2:13 …Thank God constantly for this, that when you received the word of God Which your
heard from us,…
2 Thessalonians 2:15, “So then, brethren, stand firm, and hold teachings that you have learned whether by
word (Sacred oral teaching) or by letter of ours.”
2 Thessalonians 3:6 6* Now we command you, brethren, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you keep away from any brother who is living in idleness and not in accord with the **tradition that **you received from us ( Sacred oral teachings)
Malachi 2:7; “The lips of the priest shall keep knowledge, and they shall seek the law at this mouth. (Sacred Oral teaching)”
2 Timothy 2::2, “and the things that thou hast **heard **(oral teachings) from me through many witnesses, commend to trust-worthy men who shall be competent in turn to teach others.”
1 Corinthians 11:2, “Now I praise you, brethren, because in all things you are mindful of me and hold fast my
precepts (Oral teachings) as I gave them to you.”
We are told that first Christian “were persevering in the doctrine of the apostles” (Acts 2, 42) which
was the oral teaching that was given long before the New Testament was written.
2Tim 1: 13 Hold to the form of **sound teaching **which thou has
heard (oral teachings) rrom me.
Titus 1:3 manifested his word through the **preaching ** (oral teachings) committed to my trust by the Command of God
1Thes 2:13 …you **heard **(oral teachings) and received from us the word of God
1Cor 15:2 By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached (Oral teachings) unto you, unless ye have believed in vain.
Jesus’s final instruction was to teach and preach not necessarily write:
Mat 28:18 And Jesus coming, spoke to them, saying: All power is given to me in heaven and in earth.
19 Going therefore, teach ye all nations: baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and
of the Holy Ghost. 20 Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you. And behold I am with you all days, even to the consummation of the world.
Furthermore John tells us that everything has not been written down.
John 21:25, “There are, however, many other things that Jesus did; but if every one of these would be written not even the world itself, I think, could hold the books that would have to be written.” (Not everything concerning Christ is in the Scripture per John)
John 20:30 Jesus did many other miraculous signs in the presence of His disciples, which are not recorded in this book.
John 5:39 Search the scriptures: for you think in them to have life everlasting. And the same are they that give testimony of me.
1 Timothy 3:15, “The **church is the pillar **and foundation of truth.”
