Lesson 2: The Bible

Locus of Authority

Lies beyond the documents, in God/Jesus Christ, not in the community or personal interpretation.

False Loci of Authority

Community traditions, reconstructed Jesus, personal experiences, or social ideologies.

Biblical Authority

Shapes life rather than validating human experience; interpreted by the Magisterium for Catholics.

Scripture’s Authority

Creates reality, focusing on religious and existential truth, not scientific or historical facts.

Canon

The official list of inspired books recognized by the Church as authoritative for faith and morals.

Oral Tradition

For decades, Jesus' words were preserved orally before being written down.

Formation of the Gospels

Many gospels were written, but only four were included in the canon.

Irenaeus (180 AD)

Established the standard of four gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John).

Criteria for Canonicity

Early date, liturgical use, apostolic authorship, and consistency with the Rule of Faith.

Paul’s Letters

Collected and read at Sunday Eucharist, forming a core part of Christian scripture.

Muratorian Fragment (180 AD)

First known list of New Testament books, confirming four gospels.

Canon Fixed (400 AD)

The 27 books of the New Testament were officially recognized by the Church.

Septuagint (LXX)

Greek translation of the Old Testament used by early Christians.

Council of Trent (1546)

Defined the Catholic Old Testament with 46 books.

Biblical Inspiration

The Bible is inspired by God, meaning God influenced the authors but did not dictate word-for-word.

2 Timothy 3:16

States that "All Scripture is inspired by God", referring to the Old Testament.

2 Peter 1:21

Describes biblical authors as “moved by the Holy Spirit”.

Theories of Inspiration

Various models explaining how God inspired the Bible, from direct dictation to human cooperation.

Verbal Dictation Theory

Belief that God directly dictated the words of Scripture to the authors.

Instrumental Causality (Aquinas)

God is the primary author, while human writers are instrumental authors.

Subsequent Approbation Theory

Suggests a book becomes inspired only after the Church approves it (not accepted by the Church).

Negative Assistance Theory

God only intervenes to prevent errors but does not dictate the content.

Rahner’s Social Inspiration

The Bible is inspired as part of God’s founding of the Church.

Biblical Inerrancy

The Bible is without error in matters of faith and salvation, but not necessarily in historical or scientific details.

Dei Verbum 11 (Vatican II)

Declares that Scripture teaches “firmly, faithfully, and without error” what is necessary for salvation.

Common Literary Devices in Scripture

Poetry, figures of speech, folklore, legend, paradox, and compressed narratives.

Eastern vs. Western Thought in Scripture

Biblical authors were Oriental (Eastern), meaning they thought differently from Western Scholastic logic.

Finality of the Canon of Trent

The canon is fixed, but lost apostolic books (if found) would not automatically be considered inspired.

New Testament Writing Timeline

50-100 AD, with Pauline epistles being the earliest writings.

Jewish-Roman War (66-70 AD)

Affected early Christian communities, possibly leading to the loss of some writings.