Dei Verbum explained: Rodney Howsare and Larry Chapp
Feb 6, 2024
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Expert Rodney Howsare and scholar Larry Chapp discuss the relationship between scripture and tradition in Dei Verbum. They explore the controversies surrounding tradition and scriptural inerrancy during the council. They also delve into the unique perspective of Aiden Nichols, the process of drafting Dei Verbum, and the importance of scripture in the Catholic Church.
Scripture and tradition are interconnected and work together to convey the truths of faith.
The statement on biblical inerrancy in Dei Verbum affirms that scripture contains the necessary truths for salvation but does not endorse complete plenary verbal inerrancy.
Understanding the various literary forms in scripture and engaging with historical criticism leads to a more comprehensive and faithful understanding of the scriptures.
Deep dives
The Relationship Between Scripture and Tradition
Dave Erboum explores the relationship between scripture and tradition, emphasizing that both grow out of revelation. Scripture captures one aspect of the revelation, while tradition, in collaboration with scripture, develops and unfolds the deeper truths of revelation. This understanding goes beyond the idea of two parallel sources of revelation or limiting scripture to matters of salvation. It acknowledges the richness and complexity of God's self-revelation in both scripture and tradition, highlighting their interdependence in conveying the truths of faith.
Understanding Biblical Inerrancy
The discussion on biblical inerrancy during Dave Erboum acknowledges the debate and tensions surrounding the topic. While the original draft of De Fontibus emphasized a strict plenary verbal inerrancy, concerns were raised by biblical scholars about the complexities and historical accuracy of certain passages. The final document, Dave Erboum, strikes a balance by affirming that the books of scripture teach solidly, faithfully, and without error the truth God intended for our salvation. This statement does not endorse a complete plenary verbal inerrancy, but rather affirms that scripture contains the truths necessary for salvation.
The Role of Literary Forms and Historical Criticism
Dave Erboum acknowledges the importance of understanding the various literary forms present in scripture and the use of historical criticism. It recognizes that the inspired authors used different literary genres and aimed to communicate the truth of salvation within these genres. Therefore, a rigid literal reading is not necessary as it doesn't take into account the richness and complexity of the different genres employed in scripture. Engaging with historical criticism helps in identifying and interpreting these genres, enabling a more comprehensive and faithful understanding of the scriptures.
Maintaining the Truth of Jesus' Life and Ministry
Dave Erboum affirms the authenticity and truth of the Gospel accounts of Jesus' life and ministry. It recognizes that the Gospel writers aimed to present an accurate account of Jesus' words and deeds while considering the ecclesial situations of the early Christian communities and the literary dynamics of the time. It rejects the notion that the gospels are pure inventions of the early church and emphasizes that they truly present the life, teaching, and person of Jesus. This understanding upholds the integrity of the gospels as reliable sources for understanding the truth of Jesus' life and teachings.
The Authenticity and Preservation of Gospel Accounts
The podcast episode discusses the authenticity and preservation of the gospel accounts. It emphasizes that the gospel writers were not simply making up stories but were compiling records based on apostolic sources. The episode highlights the importance of eyewitness testimonies and explains that differences in accounts do not necessarily indicate contradictions but reflect different perspectives. Examples are given to illustrate how people focusing on different aspects of an event can lead to variations in their accounts. Overall, the podcast argues that the gospel accounts, especially the resurrection narratives, demonstrate genuine attempts to preserve historical memories with unwavering excitement, supporting their authenticity.
The Christocentric Reading of the Old Testament
The podcast episode explores the Christocentric reading of the Old Testament, particularly in the context of post-Vatican II discussions. It asserts that the Old Testament finds its fulfillment in Jesus Christ and takes on new meaning in light of the resurrection. The episode criticizes both the tendency to completely separate the Old and New Testaments and the refusal to read the Old Testament Christologically. It argues that the Christian reading of the Old Testament gives it universal significance and highlights that even Judaism today does not read it in the same way as the Israelites did. The podcast suggests that a proper hermeneutical key for understanding the entirety of Scripture is the Christocentric approach, which reveals the meaning of history, theology, and the Church.
