God Gradually Reveals His Mystery in Sacred Scripture “In the sacred books, the Father who is in heaven came lovingly to meet his children, and talks with them.” -Dei Verbum (Word of God), 21

Sacred Scripture 1.God desired to reveal himself and not be hidden 2.SS contains God’s words in the language of humans 3.Part of SS is that it is mysterious- the truth of God is inexpressible 4.However, there is a criteria for properly understanding Scripture

The Inspiration and Truth of SS 1.Holy Spirit “breathed into” human authors the words of Sacred Scripture 2.SS is true for God is Truth and can neither deceive nor be deceived 3.Christianity is not a “religion of the book”, but a religion of the Person of Jesus 4.To understand, Jesus must “open our minds to understand the Scriptures” (Lk 24:45)

Interpretation Step #1: Know the Sacred Author’s Intention 1.To interpret SS correctly, reader must be attentive to what human authors wanted to say 2.How do we know the sacred author’s intention? 3 ways: 1.Take into account condition of time and culture 2.Consider literary genres used then 3.Consider modes of feeling, speaking and narrating

Interpretation Step #2: Read SS in Light of the Holy Spirit 1.Since SS is inspired by God, it should be read in light of the HS who wrote it 2.Three criteria for interpreting SS by Holy Spirit: 1.Special attentiveness to the content and unity of the whole of Scripture- though different books, the Bible tells ONE story 2.Read Scripture in the living Tradition of the whole Church- Scripture comes from the heart of the Church 3.Attentiveness to the coherence of the truths of the faith

Improper Interpretation of Scripture Reading Bible Literally – Reading passages by adhering to the exact letter or the literal sense or the primary or strict meaning of the word or words; not figurative or metaphorical – Reading passage using the strict meaning of the words no matter the literary genre, customs in expression and cultural conditions of the time

Interpretation Step #3: Identify the Senses of Scripture 1.The literal sense is the meaning conveyed by the words of Scripture and intended by the human author.

Interpretation Step #3: Identify the Senses of Scripture 2.Spiritual- realities and events spoken of as signs 1.Allegorical sense. We can acquire a more profound understanding of events by recognizing their significance in Christ; thus the crossing of the Red Sea is a sign or type of Christ's victory and also of Christian Baptism 2.Moral: teaches to act justly; instructs 3.Anagogical: realities and events of Scripture viewed in terms of eternal significance- leading us toward our true homeland: thus the Church on earth is a sign of the heavenly Jerusalem.

How are the Senses Applied to SS? Exegesis: the branch of theology which investigates and expresses the true sense of Sacred Scripture.

How are the Senses Applied to SS? 1.The exegete’s job is to work (according to previously explained steps) toward a better understanding and explanation of the meaning of Scripture 2.The job of interpreting Scripture is ultimately subject to the judgment of the Church- this is part of her mission from Christ