The Role of Scripture in Catholicism

[Greg_McPherran]

What is the role of Scripture in Catholicism? I think when we first learn about Scripture we seem to think that it’s some kind of rule book or definitive answer on everything and that every word is directly from the mouth of God with no human interplay.

However, it seems to me that the Church recognized and canonized certain Scriptures because of their leadership and usefulness. Also do some actually carry more weight than others and the Church would know this? For example, would Romans carry more weight than Jude or do the Gospels carry more weight than Paul’s letters?

Even the Gospels have different stories about certain events and I think some of these are mutually exclusive.

Also, for example, Paul says I think that I too have the Spirit of God (or something like that). How can that be inspired if he says I think I have the Spirit? I think another place(s) Paul says he is only giving his opinion as a man. Isn’t he making it clear in such cases that he is not speaking under inspiration?

So, it would seem that Scripture is profitable but is not some neat, tidy, package organized as if God wrote it and left it on the ground for humans to find.

Do people catch the heart of what I am saying? I think this is where Protestants get hung up because they don’t see that Scripture is the book of the Church for the Church’s purpose.

What am I missing?

Greg

 

[Br.Rich_SFO]

The Catholic Church looks at the Scriptures as part of Divine Revelation. Unlike many in Protestantism who look at the Scriptures as a closed Revelation almost a from God.

 

[JGC]

Two things I find useful to remember about Scripture.

Firstly, Holy Scripture and Holy Tradition are inseperable. See the CCC.

Holy scripture when read can speak to a person individually in their own life and situation but cannot be read individually in respect of belief or doctrine, this must be within ‘the mind of the Church’

 

[JGC]

Also, ‘How to read the Old Testament’ and How to read the New Testament’ by Etienne Charpentier (reqd reading for Catholic Education Cert here) are excellent, concise books which may help you. Well worth a look.

 

[mtr01]

Greg_McPherran:

Also, for example, Paul says I think that I too have the Spirit of God (or something like that). How can that be inspired if he says I think I have the Spirit? I think another place(s) Paul says he is only giving his opinion as a man. Isn’t he making it clear in such cases that he is not speaking under inspiration?

Greg

Another example along those lines is when Paul says …“I don’t know if I baptized anyone else.”

The scriptures are inspired, but not dictated, actual men wrote them. As such, they are difficult to understand (as Peter teaches us). IMHO, you are right about Protestants. The Bible is not self-interpreting, that is why Christ left his Church the Holy Spirit to guide men to truth.