Catholic theology and scripture assignment

Thus, all Scripture is divinely inspired for the purpose of teaching truth and discipline so that man may be sufficiently equipped for God’s work (Divine). Regarding the interpretation of Scripture, the Catechism of the Catholic Church cautions that particular attention be given “ to the content and unity of the whole Scripture” (Divine). Because the composition of the books differ, it is a “ unity by reason of the unity of God’s plan, of which Christ Jesus is the center and heart,” thus the term “ heart of Christ” refers to Sacred Scripture (Divine).

Scripture must be read and interpreted in the same spirit as it was written and the living tradition of the Church “ must be taken into account along with the harmony which exists between elements of the faith” (Divine). The Catechism states that Scripture must be read within “ the living Tradition of the whole Church,” for Scripture is written in the Church’s heart and the Church carries within her Tradition the “ living memorial of God’s Word” (Divine). Therefore, it is the Holy Spirit who gives the Church the spiritual interpretation of the Scripture: “…according to the spiritual meaning which the Spirit grants to the Church” (Divine).

The 5th century theologian, Vincent of Lerins, claimed that there is great progress and development in the Church and that this progress and development must be in fundamental continuity with what preceded it (Guarino). Thus, theology must be timely and vigorous, and able to respond to its times in order to develop new insights that nurture growth and doctrinal development (Guarino). Vincent refused a static idea of faith and doctrine, yet cautioned that there is an indefeasible impulse to development n doctrine, but it must be “ properly husbanded if it is to bear good fruit” (Guarino). There are traditions within the Catholic Church that are not supported by Scripture, such as Purgatory and the Assumption of Mary, yet Catholic theologians claim that traditions and Scripture are one, and both are seen as a deposit of faith (McBrien). In the January 1996 issue of the National Catholic Reporter, Richard McBrien notes that one issue that continues to distinguish between pre- and post-Vatican II Catholic theology deals with the relationship between Tradition and Scripture (McBrien).

Before Vatican II, many Catholic theologians defended certain teachings that were not found in the Bible, referencing two sources of revelation, Scripture and Tradition which they assumed had been taught by the Council of Trent in the 16th century (McBrien). It was in defense against the Protestant view of “ sola scriptura” that led the Council of Trent to formulate its teaching on Scripture and Tradition, however McBrien claims that Trent simply wanted to renounce the biblical absolutism of the reformers who placed no value at all on tradition (McBrien).