Understanding the Bible Through the Catechism of the Catholic Church

Overview:

The text explores the significance of Christ as the unique Word of Sacred Scripture, emphasizing that God communicates with humanity through human language and ultimately through Jesus Christ, the Word made flesh. The Church venerates the Scriptures as she does the Lord's Body, recognizing them as the source of spiritual nourishment and strength. Sacred Scripture is considered the word of God, written under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, and entrusted to the Church as a means of salvation. Proper interpretation of Scripture requires attention to the human authors' intentions as well as the guidance of the Holy Spirit. The text also discusses the canon of Scripture, the Old and New Testaments, and their role in the life of the Church.

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Catechism of the Catholic Church nos. 101-141

I. Christ – The Unique Word of Sacred Scripture

101 In order to reveal himself to men, in the condescension of his goodness God speaks to them in human words: "Indeed the words of God, expressed in the words of men, are in every way like human language, just as the Word of the eternal Father, when he took on himself the flesh of human weakness, became like men.”

102 Through all the words of Sacred Scripture, God speaks only one single Word...

103 For this reason, the Church has always venerated the Scriptures as she venerates the Lord's Body...

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104 In Sacred Scripture, the Church constantly finds her nourishment and her strength...

II. Inspiration and Truth of Sacred Scripture

105 God is the author of Sacred Scripture...

106 God inspired the human authors of the sacred books...

107 The inspired books teach the truth...

108 Still, the Christian faith is not a "religion of the book"...

III. The Holy Spirit, Interpreter of Scripture

109 In Sacred Scripture, God speaks to man in a human way...

110 In order to discover the sacred authors' intention...

111 But since Sacred Scripture is inspired, there is another and no less important principle...

112 Be especially attentive "to the content and unity of the whole Scripture"...

113 "Read the Scripture within the living Tradition of the whole Church."

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114 Be attentive to the analogy of faith...

The senses of Scripture

115 According to an ancient tradition...

116 The literal sense...

117 The spiritual sense...

118 A medieval couplet summarizes...

119 "It is the task of exegetes to work..."

IV. The Canon of Scripture

120 It was by the apostolic Tradition...

This complete list is called the canon of Scripture...

The Old Testament: Genesis, Exodus...

The New Testament: the Gospels according to Matthew, Mark, Luke...

The Old Testament

121 The Old Testament is an indispensable part...

122 Indeed, "the economy of the Old Testament..."

123 Christians venerate the Old Testament...

The New Testament

124 "The Word of God, which is the power of God for salvation..."

125 The Gospels are the heart of all the Scriptures...

126 We can distinguish three stages in the formation of the Gospels:

1. the life and teaching of Jesus...

2. the oral tradition...

3. the written Gospels...

127 The fourfold Gospel holds a unique place...

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