Biblical exegesis and church doctrine - Softcover

Brown, Raymond Edward

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0809103680 ISBN 13: 9780809103683

Publisher: Paulist Press, 1985

Synopsis

In Roman Catholic circles the novelty of contemporary scripture interpretation has been grasped on a surface level. Clearly, to most scholars, the gospels were not written by eyewitnesses and are not necessarily literal accounts of Jesus' words. Scholars assert that the Bible is a diversified library and not necessarily all history, and that many of the dogmas of the church go beyond what the original biblical authors and audience would have thought. To some liberally minded Catholics these assertions lessen the authority of doctrine and free them to search out totally new positions while ignoring what has been traditionally taught. To some more conservatively minded Catholics, horrified by the possibility of doctrinal breakdown, the only answer is to reject contemporary biblical exegesis with its historical and critical components and to hold on stubbornly to past attitudes toward scripture as if such attitudes were themselves doctrine. This book argues that neither reaction has grasped the novelty of scripture interpretation at a depth level. Centrist Catholic New Testament interpretation, while firm in its historical approach to the scriptures, often detects lines of development that form an intelligible connective between the biblical period and the doctrines of the later church. Indeed the implications of such a centrist exegesis place the authority for doctrine where it has always been in genuine Catholic thought (as opposed to biblical fundamentalism): not in the book but in the church interpreting the book. As it faces new situations, the church under the guidance of the Spirit gains new insights into the revelation to which the Bible bears witness.

About this title

From Library Journal:

Brown, one of the most eminent American Catholic interpreters of the New Testament, here takes up the important question of the relationship between historical-critical exegesis of scripture and the developed doctrine of the Roman Catholic Church. Much of the book is devoted to criticism of those who see too great a tension between the two, both liberals who want to reject church doctrine because of this tension, and conservatives who reject critical exegesis because of it. Brown's own view is that the literal sense of scripture does not conflict with church doctrine, though part of scripture or even scripture as a whole may be silent about a given matter. In such instances Roman Catholics must rely on the guidance of the church, not merely on scripture. A significant contribution to the discussion of this question. Terrance Callan, NT Studies Dept., Athenaeum of Ohio, Cincinnati
Copyright 1986 Reed Business Information, Inc.

About this edition

• Publisher: Paulist Press
• Publication date: 1985
• ISBN 10: 0809103680
• ISBN 13: 9780809103683
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 171