Catholic Principles for Interpreting Scripture

by Williamson, Peter S.

• ISBN13: 9788876536175
• ISBN10: 8876536175
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2002-12-01
• Publisher: ISD: Distributor of Scholarly Books

Table of Contents

Preface	vii
Albert Vanhoye
Table of Contents	xi
Acknowledgments	xix
Abbreviations	xxi
Introduction	1	(2)
Aim and Method	3	(3)
Point of View	6	(1)
Structure	7	(1)
Contribution and Limits	8	(3)
PART I: THE INTERPRETATION OF THE BIBLE IN THE CHURCH AND THE FOUNDATIONAL PRINCIPLE OF CATHOLIC INTERPRETATION	11	(30)
Introduction to The Interpretation of the Bible in the Church	13	(1)
The Pontifical Biblical Commission	13	(4)
Occasion	17	(2)
Purpose	19	(1)
Process	19	(2)
Structure	21	(2)
Reception and Address by Pope John Paul II	23	(3)
Response	26	(1)
Implications for Interpreting the IBC	26	(2)
The Word of God in Human Language	28	(13)
Principle #1	29	(1)
Explanation	29	(1)
Two-fold Nature	29	(2)
The Canonical Text	31	(1)
Scripture's Role	31	(2)
Discussion	33	(1)
The Pope on the Nature of Scripture	33	(1)
Scripture as the Word of God	34	(1)
Scripture as Human Language	35	(2)
The Inspired ``Final Form'' and Source Criticism	37	(1)
Lack of Clarity in the Incarnation Analogy	38	(1)
Reflection	39	(2)
PART II: ``IN HUMAN LANGUAGE'': CATHOLIC EXEGESIS AND HUMAN KNOWLEDGE	41	(50)
Catholic Exegesis and ``Science''	43	(9)
Principle #2	43	(1)
Explanation	43	(2)
Discussion	45	(1)
The Nature of Truth and Scripture	45	(4)
Participation in Modern Scientific Culture	49	(1)
Results of Scientific Approaches	49	(1)
Presuppositions and Competencies of Disciplines	50	(1)
Two Ways of Being ``Scientific''	51	(1)
Catholic Exegesis and History	52	(13)
Principle #3	52	(1)
Explanation	53	(1)
Historical Reality	53	(1)
Consistent Meaning	54	(2)
Historical Context	56	(1)
Rejection of Historicism and Historical Positivism	57	(1)
Discussion	58	(1)
Meanings of ``History''	58	(2)
The Instrumental Role of History	60	(1)
Rejection of Historical Literalism and Non-Historical Approaches	61	(1)
Faith and History	62	(3)
The Use of Philological and Literary Analysis	65	(11)
Principle #4	65	(1)
Explanation	66	(1)
The Contribution of Philological and Literary Analysis	66	(2)
Synchronic Reading, Literary Context and Plurality of Meaning	68	(1)
Example of Literary Contribution	69	(2)
Discussion	71	(1)
Literary Criticism and Biblical Studies	71	(4)
Catholic Exegesis and Literary Analysis	75	(1)
The Contribution of Philosophical Hermeneutics	76	(15)
Principle #5	76	(1)
Explanation	77	(1)
Understanding and Pre-understanding	78	(2)
Affinity between Subject and Object	80	(1)
Rejection of Incompatible Presuppositions	81	(1)
Correction of Historical-Critical Tendencies	82	(2)
Bridge between the Past and Present	84	(3)
Discussion	87	(1)
Evaluation	87	(2)
Conclusion to Part II	89	(2)
PART III: ``THE WORD OF GOD'': CATHOLIC EXEGESIS AND CHRISTIAN FAITH	91	(70)
A Hermeneutic of Faith	95	(14)
Principle #6	95	(1)
Explanation	96	(1)
Language and Reality	96	(1)
A Pre-understanding of Faith	97	(2)
The Role of the Spirit	99	(1)
Discussion	100	(1)
Objections to a Hermeneutic of Faith	100	(1)
Exegesis Apart from Faith Presuppositions	100	(1)
Inadequacy of Exegesis Apart from Faith	101	(3)
Non-believers and Interpretation	104	(2)
The Bible in Critical Historical Study	106	(1)
Pre-understanding and the Reader's Obligation to the Truth	106	(3)
The Role of the Community of Faith	109	(8)
Principle #7	109	(1)
Explanation	110	(1)
The Church and Interpretation	110	(2)
The Role of Every Christian in Interpretation	112	(1)
Special Roles in Interpretation	113	(2)
Discussion	115	(1)
Rejection of Reserving Interpretation to Scripture Scholars	115	(2)
Interpretation in Light of the Biblical Tradition, the Uity of Scripture, and the Canon	117	(11)
Principle #8	117	(1)
Explanation	118	(1)
Continuity with Biblical Interpretation	118	(2)
Recognition of Scripture's Essential Unity	120	(1)
Interpretation in the Light of the Canon	121	(3)
Discussion	124	(1)
The Canon, the Unity of Scripture and Progress in Theology	124	(2)
Catholic Exegesis and the Canonical Approach	126	(2)
Interpretation of the Old Testament in Light of the Paschal Mystery	128	(9)
Principle #9	128	(1)
Explanation	129	(1)
The Old Testament As Inspired Scripture	129	(1)
Christian Interpretation of the Old Testament	129	(3)
The Old Testament's Pre-Christian Canonical Meaning	132	(1)
Discussion	132	(1)
The Criticisms of Roland Murphy and Erich Zenger	133	(4)
Interpretation in Light of the Living Tradition of the Church	137	(11)
Principle #10	137	(1)
Explanation	138	(1)
Catholic Exegesis and Tradition	138	(3)
Exegesis and the Fathers of the Church	141	(3)
Discussion	144	(1)
Evaluation of Patristic Exegesis	144	(4)
The Aim of Interpretation: To Explain Scripture's Religious Message	148	(13)
Principle #11	148	(1)
Explanation	149	(1)
Scripture's Religious Meaning	149	(2)
Pastoral Orientation of Exegesis in the Church	151	(1)
Discussion	152	(1)
Usefulness of the Principle	152	(1)
Exegesis in the Academy	153	(8)
PART IV: THE MEANING OF INSPIRED SCRIPTURE	161	(56)
The Literal Sense	163	(26)
Principle #12	163	(1)
Explanation	163	(1)
Definition	164	(1)
Authorial Intention	165	(2)
Determination of the Literal Sense	167	(1)
Literal Sense and Literalistic Interpretation	168	(1)
Plural Meanings	168	(1)
``Dynamic Aspect''	169	(1)
Discussion	170	(1)
The History of the Literal Sense	170	(13)
The Future of the Literal Sense	183	(6)
The Spiritual Sense, Typology	189	(15)
Principle #13	189	(1)
Explanation	189	(1)
An Example of the Spiritual Sense	189	(2)
A ``Real'' Sense of Scripture	191	(1)
The Spiritual Sense in the New Testament	192	(1)
Relationship of the Spiritual and Literal Senses	193	(1)
Typology	194	(1)
Discussion	195	(1)
Advocacy and Caution about the Spiritual Sense	195	(5)
The Spiritual Sense According to the Biblical Commission	200	(1)
Contemporary Neglect	201	(3)
The Fuller Sense (Sensus Plenior)	204	(13)
Principle #14	204	(1)
Explanation	204	(1)
Description	204	(1)
Foundations	205	(1)
Examples	205	(2)
Relation to the Literal and Spiritual Senses	207	(1)
Controls	207	(1)
Discussion	208	(1)
History	208	(2)
The Fuller Sense in the IBC	210	(2)
A Table of the Senses, Evaluation	212	(5)
PART V: METHODS AND APPROACHES	217	(54)
The Use of the Historical-Critical Method	219	(34)
Principle #15	219	(1)
Explanation	220	(1)
Necessity	220	(2)
Definition	222	(1)
Synchronic Analysis of the Final Text	223	(1)
Exclusion of Prejudicial Presuppositions	223	(2)
Limits	225	(2)
Discussion	226	(1)
Criticism and Defense of the Historical-Critical Method	227	(2)
A ``Properly-Oriented'' Historical-Critical Method	229	(7)
The Problem of Presuppositions	236	(12)
More On The Relationship of History to Interpretation in the Church	248	(3)
Reprise	251	(2)
A Plurality of Methods and Approaches	253	(18)
Principle #16	253	(1)
Explanation	253	(1)
The ``Openness'' of Catholic Exegesis	253	(1)
Other Methods and Approaches	254	(5)
Criteria	259	(1)
Discussion	259	(1)
Discernment of Methods and Approaches	259	(3)
The Interrelation of Methods According to Vittorio Fusco	262	(9)
PART VI: INTERPRETATION IN PRACTICE	271	(56)
The Task of the Exegete and the Relationship of Exegesis With Other Theological Disciplines	273	(16)
Principle #17	273	(1)
Explanation	274	(1)
Scholarship And Ecclesial Service	274	(2)
Personal Prerequisites for Catholic Exegetes	276	(1)
The Primary Task	277	(1)
The Hermeneutical Imperative	278	(1)
Explanation of the Christological, Canonical And Ecclesical Content	279	(1)
A Theological Discipline	280	(2)
Discussion	282	(1)
Elements of Exegetical Procedure	282	(2)
The Theological Character of Catholic Exegesis	284	(2)
Church Teaching and the Theological Dimension of Exegesis	286	(3)
Actualization	289	(14)
Principle #18	289	(1)
Explanation	290	(1)
Possibility and Necessity	291	(2)
Controls	293	(3)
Procedure	296	(1)
Illustration of Actualization	297	(1)
Discussion	298	(1)
Actualization and Exegesis	298	(5)
Inculturation	303	(9)
Principle #19	303	(1)
Explanation	304	(1)
Foundation	304	(1)
Stages	305	(2)
Mutual Enrichment and Discernment	307	(2)
Discussion	309	(1)
A New Focus of Attention	309	(3)
The Use of the Bible in the Church	312	(15)
Principle #20	312	(1)
Explanation	313	(1)
Liturgy	313	(2)
Lectio Divina	315	(1)
Pastoral Ministry	316	(5)
Ecumenism	321	(3)
Discussion	324	(1)
Different Procedures for Different Purposes	324	(3)
CONCLUSION	327	(12)
The Achievement of the Interpretation of the Bible in the Church	327	(4)
Clarifying the Distinctive Traits of Catholic Interpretation	327	(1)
Confirming But Redimensioning the Historical-Critical Method	328	(1)
Incorporating Philosophical Hermeneutics	329	(1)
Opening to New Methods and Approaches	329	(1)
Rehabilitating the Senses of Scripture	330	(1)
Emphasizing the Meaning for Today	330	(1)
Recognizing the Value of Non-Specialist Interpretation	330	(1)
An Agenda for Further Discussion	331	(2)
To Clarify the Implications of the Dual Nature of Scripture	331	(1)
To Clarify the Nature of Biblical Theology in the Church	331	(1)
To Clarify Various Questions Regarding History and Faith	332	(1)
To Consider the Relation of Catholic Exegesis to the Secular Academy	332	(1)
The Challenge Ahead	333	(6)
To Reflect on the Principles of Catholic Interpretation	334	(1)
To Be (Or Not To Be) a Theological Discipline	334	(3)
To Make Scripture the Spiritual Nourishment of the People of God	337	(2)
Appendix: Catholic Principles for Interpreting Scripture	339	(10)
Bibliography	349	(30)
Index	379	(3532)
Glossary	3911