Interpreting the Bible literally

[dan]

I KNOW I read something recently (church document, catechism, etc.) something of the effect that **Catholics should take the stories in the Bible liteterally unless there’s a good reason not to do so. **The only thing is I can’t remember exactly where I read that. I’m 99% sure it was from the CCC but I can’t find the exact paragraph.

If that rings a bell for anyone, please lemme know!

Thanks!

 

[epostle]

DOGMATIC CONSTITUTION ON DIVINE REVELATION
DEI VERBUM
SOLEMNLY PROMULGATED
BY HIS HOLINESS
POPE PAUL VI
ON NOVEMBER 18, 1965

*12. However, since God speaks in Sacred Scripture through men in human fashion, (6) the interpreter of Sacred Scripture, in order to see clearly what God wanted to communicate to us, should carefully investigate what meaning the sacred writers really intended, and what God wanted to manifest by means of their words.

To search out the intention of the sacred writers, attention should be given, among other things, to “literary forms.” For truth is set forth and expressed differently in texts which are variously historical, prophetic, poetic, or of other forms of discourse. The interpreter must investigate what meaning the sacred writer intended to express and actually expressed in particular circumstances by using contemporary literary forms in accordance with the situation of his own time and culture. (7) For the correct understanding of what the sacred author wanted to assert, due attention must be paid to the customary and characteristic styles of feeling, speaking and narrating which prevailed at the time of the sacred writer, and to the patterns men normally employed at that period in their everyday dealings with one another. (8)

But, since Holy Scripture must be read and interpreted in the sacred spirit in which it was written, (9) no less serious attention must be given to the content and unity of the whole of Scripture if the meaning of the sacred texts is to be correctly worked out. The living tradition of the whole Church must be taken into account along with the harmony which exists between elements of the faith. It is the task of exegetes to work according to these rules toward a better understanding and explanation of the meaning of Sacred Scripture, so that through preparatory study the judgment of the Church may mature. For all of what has been said about the way of interpreting Scripture is subject finally to the judgment of the Church, which carries out the divine commission and ministry of guarding and interpreting the word of God. (10)*

Article 12:

1. St. Augustine, “City of God,” XVII, 6, 2: PL 41, 537: CSEL. XL, 2, 228.
2. St. Augustine, “On Christian Doctrine” III, 18, 26; PL 34, 75-76.
3. Pius XII, loc. cit. Denziger 2294 (3829-3830); EB 557-562.
4. cf. Benedict XV, encyclical “Spiritus Paraclitus” Sept. 15, 1920:EB 469. St. Jerome, "In Galatians’ 5, 19-20: PL 26, 417 A.
5. cf. First Vatican Council, Dogmatic Constitution on the Catholic Faith, Chapter 2, “On Revelation:” Denziger 1788 (3007).

DOGMATIC CONSTITUTION ON DIVINE REVELATION
DEI VERBUM

 

[Verbum]

Hi Dan,

As you no doubt can see from the above post, there can be cases where a literal (word for word) interpretation would lead you astray.

Verbum

 

[stfrancisway]

CCC 115-119

 

[Pete_Holter]

I KNOW I read something recently (church document, catechism, etc.) something of the effect that **Catholics should take the stories in the Bible liteterally unless there’s a good reason not to do so. **The only thing is I can’t remember exactly where I read that. I’m 99% sure it was from the CCC but I can’t find the exact paragraph.

If that rings a bell for anyone, please lemme know!

Thanks!

Here you go, Dan! I think you’re thinking of this quote from Leo XIII’s encyclical:

“But he must not on that account consider that it is forbidden, when just cause exists, to push inquiry and exposition beyond what the Fathers have done; provided he carefully observes the rule so wisely laid down by St. Augustine-not to depart from the literal and obvious sense, except only where reason makes it untenable or necessity requires” (Providentissimus Deus, 15).

May you be blessed!

 

[Nita]

Here you go, Dan! I think you’re thinking of this quote from Leo XIII’s encyclical:

“But he must not on that account consider that it is forbidden, when just cause exists, to push inquiry and exposition beyond what the Fathers have done; provided he carefully observes the rule so wisely laid down by St. Augustine-not to depart from the literal and obvious sense, except only where reason makes it untenable or necessity requires” (Providentissimus Deus, 15).

May you be blessed!

Thanks Pete. Have added that in the margin of my CCC by paragraphs115-119. Know the day will come when I’ll want the info. Hopefully, I’ll remember where I wrote it down!

Nita