Introduction

Introduction
 Second Vatican Council
(1962-65) stressed the value of
Scripture in theology.

“Study of the sacred page”

 Scripture and Tradition are

sources of theology.

 “Soul of theology”

 Norm of Christian faith

 Introduction
 For some, Sacred Scripture
is not inspiring and relevant.

 Increased yearning among

the youth

 Two extremely divergent

ways of reading and
interpreting Sacred Scripture:

 Relativist Approach

 Erudite Study
 Introduction

 Effective and holistic

approach is needed

 “Good News”

 Life-giving Word
Nature and Purpose of Scripture
The Inspired Word of God
 The Inspired Word of God

 Biblical inspiration was not…

 Rather, God was the guide

 Divine inspiration
 The Inspired Word of God

 Both God and human beings were the real authors of the whole of
Scripture

 Paul’s letter to Timothy: “All Scripture is inspired by God” (2 Tim

3: 16)
 The Inspired Word of God

 Humans remained the true authors of Scripture

 Scripture, being divinely inspired, enjoys inerrancy.

 “That truth which God wanted put into sacred writings for the sake
of our salvation” (DV 11)
 The Inspired Word of God

 Scripture is provoking and animating.

 Composed of faith narrative accounts

 Scripture is inspiring because it nourishes, guides, and challenges

people’s understanding of faith.
 The Inspired Word of God

 The account of the Samaritan woman at the well (Jn 4: 4-42)

 From anonymous water carrier, to herald to her townspeople

The Living Word of God
The Living Word of God

 Scriptural narratives
make known a God who
is not silent, nor distant
from His people.
The Living Word of God

 God speaks in many

and various ways…
The Living Word of God
 God creates all things
through His word.

 Historical events and in

His covenant relationship
with His people, Israel

 His Incarnate Son,

Jesus Christ

 The Holy Spirit

 Inspired text of the

Bible
The Living Word of God
 God is the living God
and as such is not
constrained by time.

 “That today you hear

His voice, harden not your
hearts…”
(Ps 95: 7-8)

 God’s “today” is
everyday.
The Living Word of God

 The word of God is

living and powerful.

 Scripture as the living

word of God is powerful
and authoritative for
authentic Christian living.
Sacramental Nature of Sacred Scripture
 Scripture is sacramental, but not to be confused as one of the
seven sacraments

 God’s Self-Revelation

 God’s Self-communication

 Incarnation of the Divine Word

Sacramental Nature of Sacred Scripture

 Scripture is sacramental, but not to be confused as one of the
seven sacraments

 God’s Self-Revelation

 God’s Self-communication

 Incarnation of the Divine Word

Sacramental Nature of Sacred Scripture

As the Book of the Church
As the Book of the Church
As a Work of Art
As a Work of Art
 He was spurned and avoided by men, a man of suffering, accustomed to
infirmity, one of those from whom men hide heir faces; spurned, we held
him in no esteem. Yet it was our infirmities that he bore, our sufferings
that he endured…
He was pierced for our offenses, crushed for our sins, upon him was the
chastisement that makes us whole, by his stripes were healed…
Though he was harshly treated, he submitted and opened not his mouth;
Like a lamb lead to the slaughter or a sheep before the shearers, he was
silent and opened not his mouth.

(Isa 52: 13 - 53: 12)