The Interpretation of Sacred Scripture (Chapter 4)

What does the Church claim about the truthfulness of the Bible?

The Church maintains that the Bible is true in all of its affirmations and does not contain error (inerrant).

What does Dei Verbum teach about the role of the Holy Spirit in affirming Scripture?

It states that all that the inspired authors affirm should be regarded as affirmed by the Holy Spirit, and that Scripture teaches the truth God wished to be confided.

What is the first principle of authentic biblical interpretation?

The Canonical Approach, which interprets the Bible as a unified whole rather than dissociated parts.

What are the three contexts one must consider in the Canonical Approach?

Remote context, proximate context, and immediate context.

What is the significance of typology in Scripture interpretation?

Typology shows how a real person, place, or thing in the Old Testament prefigures something greater in the New Testament.

What are the three subtypes of the Spiritual Sense?

Allegorical, moral, and anagogical.

What does the Literal Sense refer to in Scripture?

The meaning known and intended by the human author.

What does the Second Vatican Council's Constitution say about inerrancy?

Inerrancy could be understood in conflicting ways, suggesting a need for clarification.

How does the Church's Tradition influence biblical interpretation?

Tradition is the living memory of the Church that influences how Scripture is interpreted within the Church.

What does the anagogical subtype of the spiritual sense of scripture provide?

It gives hope of eternal life (Hope/Future).

What is the relationship between faith and reason according to the third principle?

Both come from God and cannot contradict each other.

How does human authorship relate to divine authorship in the Bible?

Human authorship cannot be claimed apart from divine authorship, asserting that God inspired human authors to write inerrantly.

What is the purpose of the footnote added to Dei Verbum no. 11?

To clarify the meaning of inerrancy as understood by recognized authorities.

What does Moral subtype of spiritual sense in Scripture interpretation teach us?

It instructs on how to act properly in the light of Christ (Live/Present).

The Five Authorities that Wrote Dei Verbum no.11

This footnote, which bears the same magisterial weight as the document itself, cites the following five authorities: St. Augustine, St. Thomas Aquinas, the Council of Trent, Pope Leo XIII, and Pope Pius XII. 

What is the Second Principle of Biblical interpretation

Interpret the Bible within the living tradition of the church

What is the Third Principle of Biblical Interpretation

Attention to the Analogy of Faith

What does Allegorical subtype of spiritual sense in Scripture interpretation teach us?

The passage finds its ultimate fulfillment in the context of Christ and the Church (Faith/Past).

Remote Context

refers to others passages or books that speak of the same issue or shed greater light upon it.

Proximate Context

Refers to thematically connected verses and chapters that come immediately before or after the passage being studied.

Immediate

Makes up the words and sayings in the passage being studied.