Wisdom Literature & Psalms Flashcards
What is Providentissimus Deus?
1893: Leo XIII.
Encyclical on biblical studies that fostered scholarship in ancient languages and the use of critical methods to study biblical manuscripts, and initiated a plan for catholic biblical studies to be supportive of Church teachings
What is Divino Afflante Spiritu?
1943: Pius XII.
Encyclical that authorized translations from the original languages, supported the use of modern critical methods by Catholic Biblical scholars, defined the literal sense in terms of the intention of the author, and accepted the importance of various literary forms in interpreting the bible
What is The Interpretation of the Bible in the Church?
1993: Document of the Pontifical Biblical Commision.
Use of Scripture in the Church. Its purpose is to indicate paths most appropriate for arriving at an interpretation of the Bible as faithful as possible to its character both human and divine. Gives limits and possibilities of present day exegetical methods used in the Church
The Literal Sense of Scripture
The primary sense. It’s the meaning of the text by an author bound by his culture and worldview yet inspired by the Holy Spirit. It can be figured out by studying the background of the author, his culture, idioms
The Spiritual Sense of Scripture (Fathers of the Church and Medieval)
a. Allegorical Interpretation: explanation of the text from connections and analogies found in the text rather than in its literal sense (Cyril of Alexandria and Origen). For the Fathers of the Church, the spiritual sense is primarily Christological.
b. Medieval Sense: Four potential meanings assigned by medieval scholars.
i. Historical or Literal = what happened.
ii. Doctrinal or allegorical = what is believed.
iii. Moral or tropological = what is to be done.
iv. Mystical or Anagogical = where life ends (eschatological)
What is the Sensus Plenior?
Deeper meaning intended by God but not clearly intended by the human author. Meaning found when the text is seen considering further revelation or a development of understanding of that revelation.
The sensus plenior is found through the study and research of literal sense and aided by other senses, it also implies an understanding of Tradition.
It is different from subjective interpretations stemming from the imagination or intellectual speculation because it is rooted in research that provides limits
Where is Divine Inspiration rooted in?
Rooted in 2Tim. 3:16 “scripture inspired by God and useful for teaching” Inspired=breathed upon; Holy Spirit=Breath of God
What are the three facts of Divine Inspiration?
- Authoritative: just as God inspired (breathed upon) the leaders of the community in the OT to manifest God’s activity in history, we believed he inspired the sacred authors to pass on, reapply and interpret that activity.
- Covenant: The context is Human-Divine. A relationship of God and the people in a covenant.
- Dual authorship: The Holy Spirit guided the leaders and authors to produce works that were recognized as the Word of God.
What are the three key Concepts for an acceptable theory of Inspiration?
- God is actively present: God as principal cause, moves the author to produce work of a higher order than his own power allows while respecting human freedom.
- Free use of talents by human: The human author cooperates with the Holy Spirit to produce the text so that it is truly in human language.
- Inspiration affects the text: The text remains open to a variety of meanings, by the faithful. Thus, we have the different senses
What are the four unacceptable theories in Divine Inspiration?
- Hypnotic-Static theory: God overpowers and suspends the faculties and skills of the author. Used by Philo of Alexandria and rejected by Cyril of Alexandria and Augustine who recognize the author’s skills.
- Mechanical Dictation: God dictates to human author word by word, the person is a robot. Aquinas writes that in scripture the divine is presented in a way common to humans. Divino Afflante Spiritu (1943) and Sancta Mater Ecclesia (1964) reject this notion.
- Mere Assistance Theory: The Holy Spirit assist the author who writes what he wants to avoid errors. No real revelation but only rejection of errors. Rejected by Vatican I.
- Subsequent approbation: Scripture became Inspired only when the Church approved it to be used. In this sense the Holy Spirit inspires the Church to accept the texts, and not the author to write them. Rejected by Vat. I.
What are the definition and purpose of ‘Wisdom Books’?
writings of the OT which reflect a distinctive wisdom as response to the experience of creation, the individual, and the meaning of human life, suffering and death. Its purpose is to promote a good life (knowing when/how to act)
Proverbs
Anthology of sayings. It seeks to encourage the pursuit of wisdom. Not necessarily related to Israel’s history. They can be applied to any society. They can be ambiguous, relative, invite to reconsider, assertive, and challenging
Job
The book is a theodicy. It seeks to present God as other for whom cause and effect don’t follow human logic. (retributive justice)
Qoheleth
Represents the skeptical side of Israel’s wisdom. It challenges beliefs based on pure theology without consideration for experience
Sirach
Presents a relationship between Greek thought and Jewish wisdom. Jewish wisdom is superior that Hellenistic thought. True wisdom comes from God (Jerusalem)
