The historical-critical method of interpreting biblical texts is legitimate and necessary, but it must not be forgotten that the key to the interpretation of Scripture is the faith of the Church, says Pope Benedict XVI, according to Zenit.org on 26th October 2009.
“If exegesis also wishes to be theology,” he told the Pontifical Biblical Institute , “it must acknowledge that the faith of the Church is that form of ‘sim-patia’ without which the Bible remains as a sealed book.”
The Holy Father explained that the Second Vatican Council clarified in the dogmatic constitution “Dei Verbum” that the historical-critical method is legitimate and necessary, “reducing it to three essential elements: attention to literary genres; study of the historical context; examination of what is usually called Sitz im Leben” (roughly translated as “setting in life”). “The foundation on which theological understanding of the Bible rests is the unity of Scripture,” the Pope affirmed, which implies “the understanding of the individual texts from the whole.”
“Scripture being only one thing starting from the one people of God, which has been its bearer throughout history, consequently to read Scripture as a unit means to read it from the Church as from its vital place, and to regard the faith of the Church as the real key to interpretation,” he added.
The Pontiff recalled as well that “the decisive word in the interpretation of Scripture corresponds to the Church, in her institutional organizations. It is the Church, in fact,” he added, “that has been entrusted with the task of interpreting authentically the Word of God written and transmitted, exercising her authority in the name of Jesus Christ.”
Renewal
In his address, Benedict XVI recognized the important labour of the Biblical Institute and expressed his gratitude to the Society of Jesus for maintaining the Biblical Institute in Rome and in Jerusalem.
Putting the importance of biblical scholarship in perspective, the Pope noted that “in the course of this century, there is certainly an increased interest in the Bible and […] greater awareness of the importance of the Word of God in the life and mission of the Church.” “This has fostered in Christian communities a genuine spiritual and pastoral renewal, which above all has affected preaching, catechesis, the study of theology and ecumenical dialogue,” he noted.
The Pope praised the institute for making a “significant contribution to this renewal with scientific biblical research, the teaching of biblical disciplines and the publication of qualified studies and specialized journals.”
“Let us thank the Lord for this activity of yours that is dedicated to interpreting the biblical texts in the spirit in which they were written, and that opens to dialogue with the other disciplines, and with many cultures and religions,” the Pontiff added. “It is the common desire that sacred Scripture become in this secularized world, not only the soul of theology, but also the source of spirituality and vigor of the faith of all believers in Christ.”