THE WORD OF GOD IN THE HISTORY OF THE CHURCH (Historical Struggles of the Sacred Scriptures) Spiritual Formation Year Immaculate Conception School of Theology Pantay Daya, Vigan City, Ilocos Sur 28 September 2009

I. A READING: Hebrews 4:12  Indeed, the word of God is living and effective, sharper than any two-edged sword, penetrating even between soul and spirit, joints and marrow, and able to discern reflections and thoughts of the heart.

II. REFLECTIONS on the WORD  DYADS/TRIADS The ROLE of the WORD in our LIVES; The ROLE of the WORD in our LIVES; The ROLE of the WORD in our FORMATION; The ROLE of the WORD in our FORMATION; The ROLE of the WORD in our MISSION. The ROLE of the WORD in our MISSION.  BIG GROUP Why are we indifferent with the WORD? Why are we indifferent with the WORD?

III. God’s Word Throughout the Centuries  16 th Century: Time of Reformation when early Protestants separated from the Catholic Church Martin Luther and other reformers emphasized the Bible (sola scriptura) Martin Luther and other reformers emphasized the Bible (sola scriptura) The Roman Catholic Church emphasized the sacraments The Roman Catholic Church emphasized the sacraments

Situation:  Reading of the Bible for Catholics was believed not good for the laity for fear of misinterpretation.  Protestant vernacular translations then were deemed not good for the Catholic laity because they were suspected as containing heretical teachings (in some instances it was true)

 Result: Most people were illiterate.  The Bishops felt it safest to leave the Bible to the Clergy and the monks. The Bible, however, was given to the lay people through other forms like: The Bible, however, was given to the lay people through other forms like: Paintings, pictures, preaching of prayers like RosaryPaintings, pictures, preaching of prayers like Rosary  In Monasteries, the monks preserved, copied, translated, studied and made commentaries on the Bible; they also prayed the Psalms.

Historical Background  1546: Catholic translation of the Greek to Latin by St. Jerome called the VULGATE became the official Bible (Council of Trent, )  1564: Pope Pius IV ruled out that Catholics had to obtain permission from their Bishops before reading the vernacular translation of the Bible.  1582: Douay Version of the Bible – a Catholic translation (from the Latin Vulgate) New Testament – 1582 New Testament – 1582 Old Testament Old Testament

Note: EEEEven when the first complete Catholic translation of the Bible into English was publish in 1582 and in , the editors took pains to state that Catholics did not really need a Bible in English, except to expose the falsehoods of the Protestant version.

 1750: A complete revised English translation of the Bible was published, it quietly went through six editions.  1836: The Church formally removed all restrictions on lay use of the Bible, so long as an approved Catholic translation was used.

111 : Pope Leo XIII encouraged the rebirth of Catholic Scripture scholarship and popular devotion to the written word of God and granting indulgence for daily Scripture reading. 19 th Century: Under Pope Pius X ( ), the Pontifical Biblical Commission was established for the promotion of Biblical Studies and their protection from error.

 1920: Pope Benedict XV ( ) wrote the encyclical entitled “Spiritus Paracletus” (Holy Spirit Comforter)  1943: Pope Pius XII ( ) came up with the encyclical “Divino Afflante Spiritu” (Inspired by the Divine Spirit)

 : VATICAN II  Church Documents on Bible: Dei Verbum (Dogmatic Constitution on Divine Revelation) Dei Verbum (Dogmatic Constitution on Divine Revelation) Magna Carta of the Biblical ApostolateMagna Carta of the Biblical Apostolate Positively encouraged the laity to read and study the Scriptures Positively encouraged the laity to read and study the Scriptures

 January 2001: JPII wrote “Novo Milleneo Inuente” “Every family should have a Bible.” “Every family should have a Bible.”  January 2002: Bible Week Celebration theme – “The Bible Builds up the Family”

Biblical Encyclicals 1. Providentissimus Deus - “God of all Providence” - issued by Leo XIII on Nov. 18, Leo XIII presents a plan in biblical studies suitable and well-trained professors should first teach in biblical introduction and then proceed to train their students in a “definite and ascertained method of interpretation.” Urges the study of Oriental language and of the art of criticism Urges the study of Oriental language and of the art of criticism Calls attention the dangers of contemporary “higher criticism” Calls attention the dangers of contemporary “higher criticism”

 2. Spiritus Paraclitus “Holy Spirit Comforter” “Holy Spirit Comforter” Issued by Benedict XV on the 15 th Centenary of St. Jerome’s death (Sept. 20, 1920) Issued by Benedict XV on the 15 th Centenary of St. Jerome’s death (Sept. 20, 1920) He briefly commends those who use modern critical methods in their biblical studies He briefly commends those who use modern critical methods in their biblical studies The goal of biblical studies is to learn spiritual perfection, to arm oneself to defend the faith and to preach the word of God fruitfully. The goal of biblical studies is to learn spiritual perfection, to arm oneself to defend the faith and to preach the word of God fruitfully.

 3. Divino Afflante Spiritu “Inspired by the Divine Spirit” “Inspired by the Divine Spirit” Issued by Pius XII on Sept. 30, 1943 (the 50 th anniversary of the publication of Providentissimus Deus. Issued by Pius XII on Sept. 30, 1943 (the 50 th anniversary of the publication of Providentissimus Deus. Practical counsels: Practical counsels: Appeal to lay scholars to cooperateAppeal to lay scholars to cooperate Attitude towards problemsAttitude towards problems Freedom of research within the ChurchFreedom of research within the Church

RECENT DEVELOPMENTS  2008 Synod of Bishops on the WORD 5-26 October 2008, Rome, Italy 5-26 October 2008, Rome, Italy Theme: “The WORD of GOD in (is) the Life and Mission of the Church Theme: “The WORD of GOD in (is) the Life and Mission of the Church  2009 Centennial of the ILOCANO BIBLE September 2009: Seminars on the WORD September 2009: Seminars on the WORD 17 October 2009: SLU Baguio 17 October 2009: SLU Baguio

RECENT DEVELOPMENTS  MTBO (May The Be One) Campaign 5 Million Bibles for 5 Million Families 5 Million Bibles for 5 Million Families 5 Year Program ( ) 5 Year Program ( )  JP1BC (John Paul I Biblical the Service of Northern the Service of Northern Luzon Right here in our Campus Right here in our Campus

CHALLENGE/REFLECTION  Are we HUNGRY for the WORD?  Is the WORD part of our LIFE and MISSION?  Can the WORD be REAL (INCARNATE) NOW?

LUKE 17:1-10  Four Priorities in Biblical Spirituality 1. Spiritual Truth (Luke 17:1-3a) 2. Community (Luke 17:3b-4) 3. Faith (Luke 17:5-6) 4. Humility (Luke 17:7-10)

In summary:  That there have been historical struggles of the Word of God…  From “limited readers” to “everybody”

Thank you!