This St. Augustine thoroughly understood and has abundantly set forth. Venerable Brethren, Health and Apostolic Benediction. Now, however, this kind of investigation is much more frequent and, since more precise methods and technical skill have been developed in the course of actual experience, it gives us information at once more … The calm and fair consideration of what has been said will clearly show that the Church has never failed in taking due measures to bring the Scriptures within reach of her children, and that she has ever held fast and exercised profitably that guardianship conferred upon her by Almighty God for the protection and glory of His Holy Word; so that she has never required, nor does she now require, any stimulation from without. It follows that those who maintain that an error is possible in any genuine passage of the sacred writings, either pervert the Catholic notion of inspiration, or make God the author of such error. Judicious theologians and commentators should be consulted as to what is the true or most probable meaning of the passage in discussion, and the hostile arguments should be carefully weighed. "(38) The Holy Fathers "to whom, after the Apostles, the Church owes its growth - who have planted, watered, built, governed, and cherished it,"(39) the Holy Fathers, We say, are of supreme authority, whenever they all interpret in one and the same manner any text of the Bible, as pertaining to the doctrine of faith or morals; for their unanimity clearly evinces that such interpretation has come down from the Apostles as a matter of Catholic faith. An encyclical on the study of the Bible issued by Leo XIII. Faithful to His precepts, the Apostles, although He Himself granted "signs and wonders to be done by their hands"(8) nevertheless used with the greatest effect the sacred writings, in order to persuade the nations everywhere of the wisdom of Christianity, to conquer the obstinacy of the Jews, and to suppress the outbreak of heresy. At this time, moreover, were carefully brought out various other ancient versions of the Bible, and the Polyglots of Antwerp and of Paris, most important for the investigation of the true meaning of the text; nor is there any one Book of either Testament which did not find more than one expositor, nor any grave question which did not profitably exercise the ability of many inquirers, among whom there are not a few - more especially of those who made most use of the Fathers - who have acquired great reputation. Providentissimus Deus, Dei Verbum, and the Inerrancy of Scripture In the combox on a prior post about the existence of Satan being debated on Nightline , a dust-up began about the inerrancy of scriptures that started to get a little personal. For this method of interpretation has been received by the Church from the Apostles, and has been approved by her own practice, as the holy Liturgy attests; although it is true that the holy Fathers did not thereby pretend directly to demonstrate dogmas of faith, but used it as a means of promoting virtue and piety, such as, by their own experience, they knew to be most valuable. For although it is right and proper that students in academies and schools should be chiefly exercised in acquiring a scientific knowledge of dogma, by means of reasoning from the Articles of Faith to their consequences, according to the rules of approved and sound philosophy - nevertheless the judicious and instructed theologian will by no means pass by that method of doctrinal demonstration which draws its proof from the authority of the Bible; "for (Theology) does not receive her first principles from any other science, but immediately from God by revelation. "(42) It is this view of doctrinal teaching which is laid down and recommended by the prince of theologians, St. Thomas of Aquin;(43) who, moreover, shows - such being the essential character of Christian Theology - how she can defend her own principles against attack: "If the adversary," he says, "do but grant any portion of the divine revelation, we have an argument against him; thus, against a heretic we can employ Scripture authority, and against those who deny one article, we can use another. [4] iii., cap. In several instructions he recommended that church and state live together in peace within the framework of modern… Quick Reference (1893). For, apart from anything else, when Our Predecessor published the Encyclical Letter Providentissimus Deus, hardly a single place in Palestine had begun to be explored by means of relevant excavations. Leo responded to two challenges to biblical authority, both of which arose during the 19th century. I ad. "(23) For the saving and for the perfection of ourselves and of others there is at hand the very best of help in the Holy Scriptures, as the Book of Psalms, among others, so constantly insists; but those only will find it who bring to this divine reading not only docility and attention, but also piety and an innocent life. libror. With this view, the first thing which requires attention is the wise choice of Professors. The God of all Providence, Who in the adorable designs of His love at first elevated the human race to the participation of the Divine nature, and afterwards delivered it from universal guilt and ruin, restoring it to its primitive dignity, has in consequence bestowed upon man a splendid gift and safeguard — making known to him, by supernatural means, the hidden mysteries of His Divinity, His … This is beautifully alluded to by St. John Chrysostom, when describing the duties of priests: "We must use every endeavour that the 'Word of God may dwell in us abundantly'(47) and not merely for one kind of fight must we be prepared-for the contest is many-sided and the enemy is of every sort; and they do not all use the same weapons nor make their onset in the same way. (18) Let us listen to the words of St. Jerome, in his Epistle to Nepotian: "Often read the divine Scriptures; yea, let holy reading be always in thy hand; study that which thou thyself must preach. "(44)' Care must be taken, then, that beginners approach the study of the Bible well prepared and furnished; otherwise, just hopes will be frustrated, or, perchance, what is worse, they will unthinkingly risk the danger of error, falling an easy prey to the sophisms and laboured erudition of the Rationalists. 35. ep. The solicitude of the Apostolic office naturally urges, and even compels us, not only to desire that this grand source of Catholic revelation should be made safely and abundantly accessible to the flock of Jesus Christ, but also not to suffer any attempt to defile or corrupt it, either on the part of those who impiously and openly assail the Scriptures, or of those who are led astray into fallacious and imprudent novelties. The first means is the study of the Oriental languages and of the art of criticism. Moreover, the literal sense itself frequently admits other senses, adapted to illustrate dogma or to confirm morality. From them came forth numbers of Fathers and writers whose laborious studies and admirable writings have justly merited for the three following centuries the appellation of the golden age of biblical exegesis. PROVIDENTISSIMUS DEUS Pope Leo XIII's 1893 encyclical Providentissimus Deus is the first magisterial document on modern Catholic Biblical scholarship, and is absolutely crucial for interpreting later magisterial teaching, such as Vatican II's Dei Verbum. iv. Others who have widened the field of this science may also be named, as especially eminent; thus, Alexandria could boast of St. Clement and St. Cyril; Palestine, of Eusebius and the other St. Cyril; Cappadocia, of St. sess. In 1893 the encyclical Providentissimus Deus (“The Most Provident God”), now outdated but originally a pioneering work, defined in fairly broad-minded manner the principles on which Catholics should interpret the Bible. iv., 8; in Levit. The authority of Augustine of Hippo at the Second Vatican Council : a comparative analysis of the use of Augustine in the preparatory and the promulgated documents / Anthony Dupont ; From Providentissimus Deus to Dei Verbum : the Catholic BIblical Movement and the Council reconsidered / Karim Schelkens; The pre … iii., c. iii. Wherefore the first and dearest object of the Catholic commentator should be to interpret those passages which have received an authentic interpretation either from the sacred writers themselves, under the inspiration of the Holy Ghost (as in many places of the New Testament), or from the Church, under the assistance of the same Holy Spirit, whether by her solemn judgment or her ordinary and universal magisterium(35) - to interpret these passages in that identical sense, and to prove, by all the resources of science, that sound hermeneutical laws admit of no other interpretation. Now, we have to meet the Rationalists, true children and inheritors of the older heretics, who, trusting in their turn to their own way of thinking, have rejected even the scraps and remnants of Christian belief which had been handed down to them. thursday, august 6, 2009. providentissimus deus This is the object of the treatise which is called "Introduction." For in doing this thou shah both save thyself and them that hear thee. In earlier times the contest was chiefly with those who, relying on private judgment and repudiating the divine traditions and teaching office of the Church, held the Scriptures to be the one source of revelation and the final appeal in matters of Faith. Providentissimus Deus followed earlier efforts on the part of Pope Leo to promote Catholic education. The Oxford Dictionary of the Christian Church. M., Regul. Venerable Brethren, Health and Apostolic Benediction. Peter’s, on the 30th of September, aflfante feast of St. It endorsed a gradual liberation from undue traditionalism; it made fruitless disputes with findings of the natural sciences unnecessary; it encouraged a cap. Summary; Recently Viewed; Bids/Offers; Watchlist; Purchase History; Selling; Saved Searches; Saved Sellers; Messages; Notification. These detestable errors, whereby they think they destroy the truth of the divine Books, are obtruded on the world as the peremptory pronouncements of a certain newly-invented "free science;" a science, however, which is so far from final that they are perpetually modifying and supplementing it. PhDr. [6] This encyclical was part of an ongoing conflict between Modernists and conservatives. Dictated by the Holy Ghost, it contains things of the deepest importance, which in many instances are most difficult and obscure. "(48) The sophisms of the enemy and his manifold arts of attack we have already touched upon. To prove, to expound, to illustrate Catholic Doctrine by the legitimate and skilful interpretation of the Bible, is much; but there is a second part of the subject of equal importance and equal difficulty - the maintenance in the strongest possible way of its full authority. But it is absolutely wrong and forbidden, either to narrow inspiration to certain parts only of Holy Scripture, or to admit that the sacred writer has erred. In the encyclical, Pius XII noted that since then, advances had been made in archeology and historical research, making it advisable to further define the study of the Bible. But whilst giving to these the commendation they deserve, We cannot but earnestly exhort others also, from whose skill and piety and learning we have a right to expect good results, to give themselves to the same most praiseworthy work. For it is well known, and We recall it with pleasure, that Our predecessors from Pius IV. 22. Biblical scholars should be aware that the writers may have used figurative language or descriptions from appearances. Among the reasons for which the Holy Scripture is so worthy of commendation - in addition to its own excellence and to the homage which we owe to God's Word - the chief of all is, the innumerable benefits of which it is the source; according to the infallible testimony of the Holy Ghost Himself, who says: "All Scripture, inspired of God, is profitable to teach, to reprove, to correct, to instruct in justice, that the man of God may be perfect, furnished to every good work. 5 ad 2. This cannot be done completely or satisfactorily except by means of the living and proper magisterium of the Church. to Clement VIII. iv., decr. 18. how can the crisis in the catholic church be accounted for? $7.99: $9.05: Kindle $2.99 Read with Our Free App … In 1893 the encyclical Providentissimus Deus (“The Most Provident God”), now outdated but originally a pioneering work, defined in fairly broad-minded manner the principles on which Catholics should interpret the Bible. See the Collect on his feast, September 30. In the twelfth century many took up with great success the allegorical exposition of Scripture. Originally 10,505 words, my summary is 2,782 words. 22. S. Greg. Vat. Encyclical Letter Providentissimus Deus, November 18, 1893. Harrison "neo-modernist". "(64). Finally, We admonish with paternal love all students and ministers of the Church always to approach the Sacred Writings with reverence and piety; for it is impossible to attain to the profitable understanding thereof unless the arrogance of "earthly" science be laid aside, and there be excited in the heart the holy desire for that wisdom "which is from above." At the close of His life His utterances are from Holy Scripture, and it is the Scripture that He expounds to His disciples after His resurrection, until He ascends to the glory of His Father. In this kind, St. Bernard is pre-eminent; and his writings, it may be said, are Scripture all through. Download it once and read it on your Kindle device, PC, phones or tablets. (33) His teaching, and that of other Holy Fathers, is taken up by the Council of the Vatican, which, in renewing the decree of Trent declares its "mind" to be this - that "in things of faith and morals, belonging to the building up of Christian doctrine, that is to be considered the true sense of Holy Scripture which has been held and is held by our Holy Mother the Church, whose place it is to judge of the true sense and interpretation of the Scriptures; and therefore that it is permitted to no one to interpret Holy Scripture against such sense or also against the unanimous agreement of the Fathers. "(11)And if we come to morality and discipline, an apostolic man finds in the sacred writings abundant and excellent assistance; most holy precepts, gentle and strong exhortation, splendid examples of every virtue, and finally the promise of eternal reward and the threat of eternal punishment, uttered in terms of solemn import, in God's name and in God's own words. 25. Previously, Catholic translations of the Bible into modern languages were usually based on the Latin Vulgate, the text used in the … Providentissimus Deus. As St. Jerome says, "To be ignorant of the Scripture is not to know Christ. "(20) St. Augustine, however, warns us that "vainly does the preacher utter the Word of God exteriorly unless he listens to it interiorly;"(21) and St. Gregory instructs sacred orators "first to find in Holy Scripture the knowledge of themselves, and then to carry it to others, lest in reproving others they forget themselves. Teaching (Wilmington, NC: McGrath, 1978); Providentissimus Deus is found on pp. Sell One Like This. 12. Bibliography Includes bibliographical references and index. Pope Leo XIII's 1893 encyclical Providentissimus Deus is the first magisterial document on modern Catholic Biblical scholarship, and is absolutely crucial for interpreting later magisterial teaching, such as Vatican II's Dei Verbum. … "(50) Hence it is most proper that Professors of Sacred Scripture and theologians should master those tongues in which the sacred Books were originally written; and it would be well that Church students also should cultivate them, more especially those who aspire to academic degrees. sess. The God of all Providence, Who in the adorable designs of His love … in 1893 of the encyclical letter "But he must not on that account consider that it is forbidden, when just cause exists, to push inquiry and exposition beyond what the Fathers have done; provided he carefully observes the rule so wisely laid down by St. Augustine-not to depart from the literal and obvious sense, except only where reason makes it untenable or necessity requires./"[9] Leo argued that as science and theology are separate disciplines they do not contradict each other, provided that scholars keep to their respective areas of expertise. Even if the difficulty is after all not cleared up and the discrepancy seems to remain, the contest must not be abandoned; truth cannot contradict truth, and we may be sure that some mistake has been made either in the interpretation of the sacred words, or in the polemical discussion itself; and if no such mistake can be detected, we must then suspend judgment for the time being. 129: 1 The Pastoral and Scholarly Situation. He fostered the growth of religious orders, favored missionary activity, and during the course of his twenty-five year pontificate, worked to remake the college of cardinals. "(51) If dissension should arise between them, here is the rule also laid down by St. Augustine, for the theologian: "Whatever they can really demonstrate to be true of physical nature, we must show to be capable of reconciliation with our Scriptures; and whatever they assert in their treatises which is contrary to these Scriptures of ours, that is to Catholic faith, we must either prove it as well as we can to be entirely false, or at all events we must, without the smallest hesitation, believe it to be so. Pope Leo XIII's 1893 encyclical Providentissimus Deus is the first magisterial document on modern Catholic Biblical scholarship, and is absolutely crucial for interpreting later magisterial teaching, such as Vatican II's Dei Verbum.It's a rather lengthy document, but about a year ago I made a summary of it. 156: 8 The Crisis in Biblical Interpretation 19881989 . For although in Divine revelation there are contained some things which are not beyond the reach of unassisted reason, and which are made the objects of such revelation in order "that all may come to know them with facility, certainty, and safety from error, yet not on this account can supernatural Revelation be said to be absolutely necessary; it is only necessary because God has ordinated man to a supernatural end.
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