This summer the Pontifical Biblical
Commission (PBC) published a new document on the inspiration and truth of
Sacred Scripture. I waited eagerly for the English version which I finally
received last week and read it that same evening. I will probably have a few
comments on this new document, but for now it seems very appropriate to present
it to you with the words of Fr. Klemens Stock, SJ, the PBC’s exiting secretary. This presentation is not part of the PBC's document, but it was written for the bulletin of the Pontifical Biblical Institute. What follows is my translation from the original Italian.[1]
The text is organized in three
parts: Inspiration, Truth and some challenges for the interpretation of the
Bible. The starting point of this survey is the teaching of the dogmatic constitution
Dei Verbum from the Second Vatican Council. The document seeks to show how the
same biblical texts bear witness about their own inspiration and truth, while considering
necessary to limit the study to a representative selection of these writings.
Given that only two passages
(2 Tim 3:16; 2 Pet 1:20-21) talk explicitly about divine inspiration, the research
guiding question is: What do these texts say about their divine provenance and
the relationship of their authors with God? The Old Testament attests, for
example, Moses and the prophets’ calling and the fact that they receive from
God the instructions they must communicate, both orally and in writing to the
people (Exod 24:4; 34:27; Deut 31:9). In the New Testament the relationship of
the authors with God occurs always, whether immediate or mediate, through the
person of Jesus. Paul affirms his encounter with the risen Jesus (1 Cor 9:1;
15:7) and considers it a gift (grace) from the Father (Gal 1:15-16). The author
of the fourth Gospel attests his own contemplation of the Only Son’s glory
(John 1:14) and presents himself as an eyewitness (John 19:35; 21:24),
instructed and guided by the Spirit of truth, who is sent by the glorified
Jesus (John 15:26; 16:13). However, the relationship of the author of the
Gospel of Luke and with the author of the Letter to the Hebrews is mediated.
The first one is based on the “eyewitnesses and servants of the word” (Luke 1:2);
the second one on the witnesses who heard the announcement of the Lord (Heb
2:3). The biblical writings show in many ways the relationship of their authors
with God (OT) through Jesus (NT), but they do not mention a particular divine assistance
benefited by the authors while in writing (inspiration in the strict sense).
The truth that is at the center of
the divine revelation concerns God himself and human salvation and is revealed
in its fullness in Christ (DV 2, 11). Sacred Scripture is not interested in any
subject but in communicating this truth. The reading which corresponds to the finality
of Sacred Scripture is the one which looks in itself the knowledge of God and
of his salvation. This fullness of truth cannot be found in a restricted
reading of single and isolated writings, but only in a “canonical” reading in
the light that is the person of Jesus. The document presents, through a
selection of passages in both Testaments, the truth that they manifest. Based
on Matt 28:18-20, the culmination of the revelation of the truth about God and
his salvation may be expressed as: Jesus reveals God who is Father, Son and
Holy Spirit, who is the fullness of communion of life in himself, and who offers
as salvation to humanity the sharing in his communion of life.
Fr. Klemens Stock, SJ |
Later on I hope to come back with a
review of this PBC’s document.
Juan Miguel Betancourt
Follow me on Twitter @betancourt_jm
[1] From Vinea Electa. Bolletino informativo
dell’Associazione ex-alunni/e del Pontificio Istituto Biblico, num. 14, anno
2014, 22-23.
Is this document available free on the web, or do I have to buy it ?
ReplyDeleteThansk & God Bless
Chris, I asked Juan Miguel yesterday and he said he had to buy the document at Amazon at this point. I keep hoping to find it for free online too!
ReplyDelete