The Word of Truth, Sealed by the Spirit: Perspectives on the Inspiration and Truth of Sacred Scripture (Catholic Theological Formation Series)
Digital Verbum Edition
Overview
The Word of Truth, Sealed by the Spirit is a collection of seven peer-reviewed essays pertaining to the topic of biblical inspiration and truth. Two chapters provide a critical analysis of the Pontifical Biblical Commission’s 2014 document The Inspiration and Truth of Sacred Scripture and reflect upon its relevance and outcome. Five chapters respond to a particular aspect of this document by investigating a hermeneutical or exegetical question in order to advance the dialogue on the questions of biblical inspiration and truth. This book is intended not only for Catholic seminary and university professors and students but also Protestant scholars and students, as well as catechized lay people of all Christian denominations.
Luis Sánchez-Navarro, DCJM, writes on the importance of understanding the relationship between revelation, biblical inspiration, and truth for both biblical interpretation and for Christian living. Michael K. Magee provides a critical analysis of the PBC document by situating it within the recent history of the Church’s attempts to clarify the theology of biblical inspiration and truth. Matthew C. Genung studies Exodus 19 in its context, showing that the Bible itself indicates that its nature as emended Scripture pertains to its inspired character. Anthony Pagliarini writes about the Book of Ezekiel as inspired Scripture given the non-fulfillment of Ezekiel’s prophetic vision of the restored Temple. Aaron Pidel, SJ, analyzes Joseph Ratzinger’s writings on hermeneutics and biblical theology, to propose a reliable methodology for determining the historicity of conflicting biblical reports. Marcin Kowalski, analyzing 1 Corinthians 11:2–16, addresses the question of the inspired character of a text at variance with changing gender roles in society. Kelly Anderson evaluates biblical texts depicting an inner-trinitarian dialogue in order to shed light on the relationship of inspired Scripture to the eternal dialogue of God.
- Evaluates biblical texts depicting an inner-trinitarian dialogue
- Analyzes Joseph Ratzinger’s writings on hermeneutics and biblical theology
- Provides a critical analysis of the PBC document
Perhaps one of the greatest unanswered questions for modern interpretation of the Bible is how to understand its inspired character. Modern scholars have adapted very well to the possibilities and constraints of historical-critical exegesis, but they have struggled to set these more anthropocentric concerns in a larger theological framework. This volume is a big step forward in trying to address this fundamental concern.
—Gary Anderson
As diverse essays in the volume make clear, the question of the inspiration and truth of Scripture invites consideration because it interacts with some of the weightiest theological concerns such as the relationship between divine and human agency, history and theology, God’s perennial message and its transitory manifestations, or faith and reason.
—Slawomir Szkredka